Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Let’s start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of Friday, Aug. 14, 2026.
- Islam Makhachev shuts down brown-nosing Ian Garry at UFC 330 presser: ‘Just shut up’: Every day that goes by convinces me more and more than Garry is purposefully agitating fans.
- Be quiet! Islam scolded by Khabib for Ian Garry disrespect at UFC 330 presser — ‘Don’t say shut up!’: Khabib and Islam’s banter here is actually pretty funny.
- Mystic Mac? Conor McGregor predicts Ian Garry dethrones Islam Makhachev via head kick KO: This might be worth more consideration were it not for the fact that Garry has trained with McGregor in the past.
Insomnia
I wonder about Diego Lopes’ ceiling at 155 pounds, but I understand going on a field trip while Alexander Volkanovski still rules the Featherweight roost.
🚨 Diego Lopes confirms that he’s moving UP to lightweight, and is in “advanced talks” about the next opponent 👀
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 13, 2026
“We’re already in pretty advanced talks about the next opponent. We’re hoping we can get it finalized this week.
I want to fight in November at MSG. I think that’s… pic.twitter.com/BFOZdTdjrW
If Alexandre Pantoja is still at his best, this rematch is going to be absolutely awesome.
BAD BLOOD AT FLYWEIGHT
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) August 14, 2026
Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja go at it at the #UFC331 presser pic.twitter.com/iCPqs4UIHE
Like I said above, it has to be a bit … right?
I let out a belly laugh when it got to Ian Garry.
— Jack Mac (@JackMac) August 14, 2026
Relax dude 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/EA3OM8roTR
I think pretty highly of Francis Marshall, who should probably be on a four-fight win streak right now.
Francis Marshall will fight Gastón Bolaños at #UFCVegas123 on October 31st. (first rep. @ClubDeLasMMA) #UFC#MMA#UFCParamount#UFConParamount#UFC2026pic.twitter.com/38S89mhvSO
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) August 14, 2026
Jalin Turner is a really slick striker and still just 31 years of age. Can he get his career back on track?
A concerning stat for any Gillian Robertson bettors out there …
Gillian Robertsons UFC opponents during her 5-fight winning streak are 0-19 in their last 19 UFC fights.
— MMAPREDICTIONGURU (@MMAPREDICTIONGU) August 14, 2026
Viana: 0-4 in last four fights
Waterson: 0-5 in last five
Pinheiro: 0-4 in last four fights
Rodriguez: 0-3 in last three fights
Lemos: 0-3 in last three fights
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Covering up and waiting around seems like the worst possible strategy in bare knuckle boxing.
Werszynin with the DEVESTATING round 1 KO | Ragdoll physics enabled pic.twitter.com/vbQr5oqw0W
— UFC Replays (@UFCReplays) August 13, 2026
Nice composure to slip the shot and immediately fire two strikes back:
23 year old Amateur Heavyweight Reginald Chapman goes 4-1 at #RaginFC6pic.twitter.com/TmeMioeLce
— FriedMMA (@MerrabiMedia) August 9, 2026
Don’t look now, but Josh Fremd has won two in a row for PFL!
Josh Fremd gets the TKO stoppage win over Johnny Gregory in the second round!
— COMBAT SPORTS TODAY (@CSTodayNews) August 8, 2026
Unfortunately most fans are unable to watch due to a ESPN broadcast issue 😬 #PFLCharlottepic.twitter.com/lt3QJ5HM20
Random Land
New combat sport just dropped?
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Midnight Music: Mom pick #5!
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.