Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Let’s start the night off by taking look back over the three biggest stories of Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
Eddie Hearn on TKO’s issues with Turki Alalshikh: ‘If you don’t fall in line, you don’t work for him’: The power dynamics in boxing are changing, and it’ll be really interesting to see how things shake out in the next few years.
All is forgiven! Arman Tsarukyan named UFC 317 backup fighter for Islam-Topuria title fight: Arman Tsarukyan should be the back up even given his injury. He’s the best young Lightweight contender out there by a considerable margin.
Hyped prospect Payton Talbott added to UFC 317 (against a very, very good fighter): Felipe Lima has shown serious promise, but he’s not a chain wrestler quite like Raoni Barcelos, so I’m expecting a slugfest here.
Insomnia
Demetrious Johnson is one of the best MMA grapplers ever, surviving on the floor with him is a tall task for anyone, let alone a social-media-boxer-streamer like KSI.
Whatever amount of props Kamaru Usman is getting after UFC Atlanta, he deserves more.
Congratulations to Gilbert Burns, official American citizen!
Johnny Walker is more self-aware than I might have realized admitting how goofy his own KO losses tend to look.
Name a better wordsmith, I’ll wait.
Will Ilia Topuria be quicker and more powerful up at 155-pounds, or will the size disadvantage be a problem?
Aljamain Sterling catches more strays than almost anyone on the roster, let alone as a decorated ex-champion!
The Merab pick up-and-carry is becoming a signature technique.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Randy Costa’s penchant for starting quickly and ending fights in the early exchanges seems to fit well into the BKFC style.
That’s a big tree landing with a definite thud.
The angle on armbar slams always looks so unpleasant and painful for the victim.
Random Land
Do you ever read a paragraph and want to opt out from civilization?
Midnight Music: RIP to the great Brian Wilson.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
