Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Dana White went on the UFC’s state-run television, UFC Tonight on Fox, to talk about Nurmagomedov-Holloway, Conor McGregor, and deny that Covington-Rafael Dos Anjos has been made. He said Eddie Alvarez was the first guy they called, but Alvarez couldn’t make the weight. He also made the following statement about Brock Lesnar:

Brock Lesnar is coming back. I don’t know when, but yes he is.

The claim is certainly an enticing one for fans and the promotion, which has struggled to field crossover stars since McGregor’s circus-style boxing match with Floyd Mayweather. White, despite his insistence in this interview not to believe the media unless he is the one talking, has a more than checkered history with facts. There is smoke to this rumor, though, as White posted a picture of himself hanging out with Lesnar earlier this year. Lesnar’s manager recently stated that Brock has a genuine desire to return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship- that he’s not using it as a negotiating tactic to wring concessions from his current employers, the WWE. His current deal is up soon after Wrestlemania.

However, there are complications with a Lesnar return, thanks to his failed drug test after his last UFC return, a win-turned-no-contest against Mark Hunt at UFC 200. Hunt is suing the UFC (and Lesnar) for allegedly allowing Brock to compete knowing he was on steroids; Brock would presumably still have to serve out part of his one-year suspension, as he exited the testing pool after UFC 200. That hangup may be part of the reason Dana isn’t sure when he will be returning. A matchup with Jon Jones had been highly anticipated after Jones’ most recent fight with Daniel Cormier, but Jones subsequently tested positive for his own steroid, and is currently facing what is likely a lengthy suspension.

For those saying Lesnar can return ASAP the answer is no. He has 'ineligibility' time left to serve. Here's what the USADA contract says about athletes in Lesnar's position - pic.twitter.com/ROOQXORSQb — Erik Magraken (@erikmagraken) April 5, 2018

Who should Lesnar face if he does indeed return?

Poll Who should Lesnar fight? This poll is closed. 18% Stipe Miocic (193 votes)

44% Francis Ngannou (449 votes)

13% Daniel Cormier (135 votes)

23% Other (241 votes) 1018 votes total Vote Now

Insomnia

Max Holloway is channeling some serious teen heartthrob style.

Shout outs to your son boss #DressLikeZayne pic.twitter.com/YqKuzKoe4c — Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) April 4, 2018

Leslie Smith realized NBA2K players have it better than UFC fighters.

NBA2K players get $30k+ for a 6 month season, prize money, health insurance, a retirement plan, free housing. Good for them. I'm seriously disgusted by the disparity in treatment between these people who play video games and the majority of @UFC fighters. c'mon fighters https://t.co/Zla1eWdAVs — Leslie Smith (@LeslieSmith_GF) April 4, 2018

Max is going real easy on the pads... hopefully he has gas in his tank Saturday night.

‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ actor Chris Pratt hanging with the Nogueira brothers

Das wassup A post shared by chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) on Apr 4, 2018 at 1:47pm PDT

Dana White often tells half truths, or less than half truths.

"#UFCHawaii was happening this year, but it got shut down from the tourism board." - Dana White, who kind of tells a half truth. Hawaii Tourism Authority was all for it, but the amount they said they needed vs amount UFC came with was "millions off". #UFC223 — Justin Golightly (@SecretMovesMMA) April 4, 2018

How Artem Lobov must have felt in that hallway

Khabib Nurmagomedov was not playing around.

Apparently this is what Nurmagomedov confronted Lobov about

Shortly about the conflict between Khabib and Lobov..



In an interview with a Russian journalist Lobov calls Khabib a ”Bedwetter” and if he sees it, he will give him a slap.



When he meets Artem, Khabib asks him; “That you called me bedwetter? Do not say that again... pic.twitter.com/D6qqNI6g1K — MMA TEAM DAGESTAN (@MMATeamDagestan) April 4, 2018

..otherwise I'll take off your pants” On the video Lobov denied that he said this. pic.twitter.com/EvfDjtY5Q2 — MMA TEAM DAGESTAN (@MMATeamDagestan) April 4, 2018

The real story:

Where is dis Borger King? pic.twitter.com/5pfuI6v8EL — Grim Reefer (@ArtieG687) April 4, 2018

True story.

Khabib can count himself lucky that there were people around to protect him from Artem. He don't want none of this. pic.twitter.com/hhCrrZeLex — Phil Mackenzie (@EvilGregJackson) April 3, 2018

Rampage doing whatever these are with his daughter on his back is endearing

My daughter is heavier than i thought A post shared by Quinton Jackson (@rampage4real) on Apr 3, 2018 at 2:57pm PDT

An update on Chris Weidman

… and his cartilage wore away. Bone on bone pain. So they will be taking a bone from his hip out and inserting into his thumb. Hoping for a two month recovery and a return in the fall. He can’t squeeze anything with his left hand at the moment without sharp pain. — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 4, 2018

This is going to be fun.

The UFC are holding a 25th anniversary press conference tomorrow in Brooklyn featuring White, Barboza, Lee, Nunes, Pennington, Usman, Ponzinibbio, Thompson, Till, Rivera, Moraes, Whittaker, Romero, Miocic and Cormier. 3.45pm PT / 6.45pm ET / 11.45pm GMT. — Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) April 4, 2018

The video of Luke Rockhold spearing these massive fish is really trippy and primal.

Gregor Gillespie is a good fisherman, but has he ever speared massive ocean-going fish with a speargun?

Khabib’s ground and pound is just qualitatively scarier.

Jose Aldo light sparring... he was the featherweight champion whose takedown defense and footwork I thought would be a really interesting foil for Khabib.

Michael Chandler, the Bellator lightweight champ, gets into some crazy wrestling scrambles in training.

Podcasts and Video

Khabib’s ground and pound, explained by pro fighter and MMA Mania’s native analyst Andrew Richardson, with Andrew Coyne of Team Alpha Male. Follow MMA Mania on Youtube for more!

Heavy Hands with an extended UFC 223 discussion

The Monday Morning Analyst rates Max Holloway’s chances of avoiding the takedown

BJJ Scout’s breakdown might be the most essential of all:

Random Land

Boban dunking basketballs on a 10-foot hoop like he's placing jars of spices back into the cupboard above the stove will never not be funny pic.twitter.com/hsijVEaN6i — Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) March 17, 2018

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