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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Let’s start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026.
- UFC vet who exposed ‘average’ Nate Diaz for ‘convincing people he’s good at fighting’ now fears ‘Diaz Army’ retaliation: Between Nate Diaz and Ben Askren, which man defeated multiple future/former UFC champions and title challengers? The gap is resume is clear.
- RAF 05 card, start time, date and location | Covington vs. Rockhold: The people are desperate for combat sports, and wrestling will have to do!
- UFC’s Trump-loving ‘Venezuelan Vixen’ has a message for ‘liberal snowflakes’ crying for Maduro…: Julianna Pena talking politics — what more could you ask for? Who could say no?
Insomnia
Undefeated (?) Welterweight contender Michael Morales technically lost a fight way back in 2o17 while appearing on a reality show competition in his native Ecuador. The footage can be seen below at the 45:05 mark, but given the circumstances, I wouldn’t expect UFC to follow Tapology’s decision in their promotional efforts for the young knockout artist. Another element to consider here is that in many smaller markets/countries, amateur MMA doesn’t exist at all.
If nothing else, this is definitely NOT
an Askar Mozharov situation involving intentional deception and a mediocre fighter. Make no mistake, Morales is still one of the best young Welterweights on the planet.
Update on the Tapology record for welterweight phenom Michael Morales. While Morales had been listed up to this point as undefeated as professional, we have added 1 additional professional win and 1 additional professional loss from the start of his career.
— Tapology (@tapology)
January 7, 2026
We were tipped off to and found extensive footage of an Ecuadorian league "Ultima Pelea" which had at least 3 seasons of a reality style show with fighters in a tournament. Morales competed in the 2nd season in 2017.
— Tapology (@tapology)
January 7, 2026
Morales was 17 at the time of the qualification fight and 18 at the time of his quarterfinal fight (a loss). The rules and structure of the fights meet our criteria of professional MMA. Many of the competitors were established professionals including Ricardo Centeno who beat him
— Tapology (@tapology)
January 7, 2026
While The Ultimate Fighter reality show in the U.S. is still classified as exhibition status, we don't grant the same exhibition status to other reality competitions around the world. TUF has only been exempted because of the U.S. athletic commission designation it was given.
— Tapology (@tapology)
January 7, 2026
These situations are virtually identical.
Conor McGregor sits down with a homeless man and remembers how he was sitting in this position with Joe Rogan:
"I was in the octagon sitting like this after my last fight. And I got back up."
@TheNotoriousMMApic.twitter.com/yRbY6WDYDf
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight)
January 6, 2026
What are the odds we still end up with a brawl despite Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones’ newfound tolerance of one another?
Daniel Cormier says being around Jon Jones is not as nasty as it used to be
"Being around Jon Jones is different because we had such a bad history, but the reality is I’m done fighting now and that part of it’s gone. So it’s not nearly as nasty, but I think we have done a…
pic.twitter.com/igISgQRabE
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA)
January 6, 2026
Cris Cyborg continuing to throw shade at Claressa Shields, a hypothetical matchup that should probably happen yet does nothing for me personally.
How this girl got 19 World titles and only 17 pro fights?!
Chucky cheese prizes
@Claressashields out her collecting vacant belts in weight categories without contenders.
Last year she was at the superbowl telling me to fight her 154. I told her I needed more boxing experience.…
https://t.co/SwlHIliwKJ
— CrisCy₿org.Com (@criscyborg)
January 5, 2026
Real friends, how many of us?
I wish Dana White and company had put millions into Dagestani basketball instead of Power Slap.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
The kick across the back leg definitely left Tim with no idea what was coming next.
LEFT HAND OF THUNDER
️
Chama Superbon gym KO’s Tim in the 3rd round.
#PhetchbunchaStadiumpic.twitter.com/gQpmvqRmED
— esr0128 (@esr0128)
January 5, 2026
I would pick Fares Ziam over most members of the Lightweight Top 15 today. I didn’t realize he’s developed into such an elbow specialist!
Fares Ziam deserves way, way more attention
pic.twitter.com/bPuuCuDzee
— MMA On Point (@mmaonpoint)
January 5, 2026
You have to love a classic dissection of the lead leg.
Random Land
Greatest bracket of all time just dropped! It gets better the longer you look.
Who is the ULTIMATE traitor of all time?
Vote on the website:
https://t.co/OcypKRAbOm
Vote on our IG stories:
https://t.co/yJLJsfTXeupic.twitter.com/UTz70ryvwX
— The Ringer (@ringer)
January 5, 2026
Nobody can do another bracket after this.
I don't even care what the topic is. It's perfect.
Take a bow, everybody.
https://t.co/gSCLuoOBjXpic.twitter.com/MBucTG8jTl
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais)
January 5, 2026
Midnight Music: Folk pop, 1985
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
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