Midnight Mania! Garry Goes Georgian, Islam Rumors Swell

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 17: Ian Garry of Ireland poses for a portrait after his victory during the UFC 298 event at Honda Center on February 17, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Let’s start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of

1. Bait and switch? Conor McGregor ‘not fighting’ at UFC White House — ‘They’re using him to promote it’: This feels like a tremendously possible explanation, but I do think UFC would prefer if McGregor is on the card. Like him or not, his return would do numbers!
2. Paramount panic? Bad cuts and awful matchmaking lead to frustrating 2026 UFC start: Want to know why I’m concerned about the future of the UFC? This article breaks it down.
3. Gordon Ryan calls Khamzat ‘not the best jiu jitsu guy,’ insists UFC champ ‘would get beat pretty easily’ in ADCC: Gordon Ryan is the rare type of guy to post about being too ill to ever compete again (for the millionth time) and talk down about Khamzat’s grappling in the same weekend.

Insomnia​

Ian Garry might be next for Islam Makhachev, which is a great matchup that makes much more sense than giving Kamaru Usman a title shot after a single win.

After his last fight, Ian Garry said he’d train in Georgia if he fights Islam Makhachev next

He just arrived in Georgia today pic.twitter.com/Q9kNy9TKOw

— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) February 16, 2026

Am I wrong to think Dumont vs. Santos could well be a title eliminator match up? Women’s Bantamweight is in dire straights.

BREAKING!

UFC encaminha Norma Dumont vs Yana Santos para o dia 25 de abril. As equipes aceitaram verbalmente o duelo e aguardam a chegada do contrato. pic.twitter.com/yrjTj7Ypjm

— Ag. Fight (@AgFight) February 16, 2026

Excellent guard work in elevating the top player, reaping the knee, and generally refusing to allow Akaev to settle.

Lucas Gabriel shows off some sick grappling chops, threatening a waiter sweep, wrestling up using the space created, then rolling back under and finally using a calf slicer to come on top pic.twitter.com/eKP2IXg7wx

— MixingMartialArts (@RyanAWagMMA) February 15, 2026

Beneil Dariush’s career may be coming to an end, which feels like a very reasonable decision given some of his recent losses.

Beneil Dariush says his next fight could be his last

"I've been in the UFC for 12 years, and that's where I'm at. I just take it one fight at a time. My next fight could be my last one – I honestly don't know. We'll see what happens after the fight. I'm excited for the future;… pic.twitter.com/tY9UJ6knG0

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) February 14, 2026

Tom Lawlor with a “filthy” tale from Gold’s Gym in Shibuya:

At Gold’s Gym in Shibuya, I was one day asked to please conceal my entire upper body and CHANGE IN THE SHOWER OR TOILET WHERE NO ONE COULD SEE ME because of a previous complaints of a tattoo on my wrist being visible. I obliged due to cultural differences.

I then walked in the… https://t.co/nSS96W4yfe

— “Filthy” Tom Lawlor (@FilthyTomLawlor) February 13, 2026

I believe I speak for a majority of men when I say we’ve all been here before.

There are some things men will never do right #UFCVegas113pic.twitter.com/QgK7NPVMZP

— Haduucken III (@HaduuckenIII) February 7, 2026

I enjoyed watching Justin Gaethje break down his own strategy against Paddy Pimblett here.

View this post on Instagram​

Slips, rips, and KO clips​

Tony Ferguson was partial to the d’arce rather than anaconda, but the quickness with which Prieto snatched up the neck reminded me of “El Cucuy.”

Fantastic anaconda choke by Santiago Prieto to choke Fabián López to SLEEP. That was slick #LUX058pic.twitter.com/ylxEBzonil

— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) February 14, 2026

Two hard spinning shot connections inside 20 seconds is impressive work.

MASSIVE KNOCKOUT!

Kaik Brito maintains his 100% stoppage rate to finish Rony Paradeiser, winning the vacant welterweight title #OKTAGON84

If you drafted him in #OKTAGONFantasy, he just earned you points!

https://t.co/TVP7NaDRbZ | RTL+ | TVP Sport pic.twitter.com/j9ajkwPLNj

— OKTAGON (@OktagonOfficial) February 14, 2026

It’s dangerous to get tall in the pocket.

Aidar Gainullin KO finish at Prime FL pic.twitter.com/YsOeIizVjW

— Matysek (@Matysek88) February 14, 2026

Random Land​

When my X-Factor prediction is completely wrong but the fighter I picked still wins.

One of the greatest sports clips I’ve ever seen.
pic.twitter.com/4S9UIKR7UD

— PeteNova (@SuperrNova38) February 15, 2026

Midnight Music: Tonight’s track is a request from MMAmania user .Y.


Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.

Continue reading...