Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Let’s start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of Thursday, July 24, 2025.
- Latest UFC rankings update: Patricio Pitbull debuts, Kevin Holland departs, Dustin Poirier exit shakes up leaderboard: It’s impressive that Poirier managed to stay ranked from the genesis of the official rankings until his retirement, but it’s incredibly baffling that Holland can’t manage to hold a number next to his name despite the obvious talent.
- Data-driven Ilia Topuria reveals secret to success: ‘I have charts of every strike my opponent has ever thrown’: Between Topuria and The Fighting Nerds, it’s clear that hiring somebody to do data analysis is a good idea in high-level MMA.
- Ilia Topuria (still) denies Arman Tsarukyan elusive title shot: ‘I’m never gonna give him a chance’: Tsarukyan is still one win away from a title shot, which I think Topuria will actually grant him at that point.
Insomnia
A first look at Bryce Mitchell’s new Bantamweight physique:
Khamzat Chimaev has turned to Sam Calavitta — former coach of TJ Dillashaw, among others — in efforts to improve his cardio for the Dricus Du Plessis title fight. The question is whether his issues are physical or strategic, as no fighter can sprint for 25-minutes regardless of their conditioning.
Both with his hands and right leg, Max Holloway’s counters at UFC 318 were very impressive.
Holloway was a lot sharper at countering Dustin’s shifting combos this time, he would dip underneath Dustin’s right hand as he shifted forward and run him onto punches pic.twitter.com/aVVa0NtAKM
— MixingMartialArts (@RyanAWagMMA) July 23, 2025
Max Holloway’s Intercepting Body Kick
In Holloway’s fights with Poirier, the one coming forward tending to be winning, as both fighters often back up in straight lines
In their 3rd fight, Max came prepared to intercept Poirier’s shifting combos. pic.twitter.com/Lzi9ydXa2m
— MixingMartialArts (@RyanAWagMMA) July 22, 2025
The Ilia Topuria vs. Arman Tsarukyan beef is heating up a bit.
Imagine calling yourself a champion, but you’re already looking for a way out. You can vacate it, or I’ll take it. Either way, it’s mine. https://t.co/37ioTAt2vk
— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) July 24, 2025
The most important fight announcement of the month!
Tito clips never fail to make me laugh.
Petr Yan nails his create-a-fighter!
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Based on this video alone, Ilia Topuria is already 3-0 on the influencer boxing circuit.
Ilia Topuria found out one of the Nelk Boys favorite fighters is Islam Makhachev and proceeded to KO every single one of them for it pic.twitter.com/reWiV2YS0f
— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) July 23, 2025
I enjoyed this highlight reel of “The Russian Sledgehammer.”
Dmitry Kudryashov was arguably the hardest puncher of his era. Known as ‘Russian Sledgehammer’ he had George Foreman-esque power but lacked stamina & durability. Ever dangerous, he finished his career with an astounding 25 KOs from 26 wins (26-6)pic.twitter.com/8KA04QGPN5
— Combat Chronicles (@CombatCr) July 24, 2025
Punches-in-bunches!
Random Land
Who remembers the Afro Ninja?
Midnight Music: Prog, 1979
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
