BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 18: Joe Lauzon reacts after his TKO victory over Jonathan Pearce in their lightweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at TD Garden on October 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Chris Unger/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 Monday, Aug. 31, 2026.
- Muhammad Mokaev followed Dana White’s advice and ‘became champion somewhere else’: I would like to see Mokaev back in the mix if possible. Surely we’ve seen other ex-UFC fighters return from worse misbehaviors?
- Restless Khamzat adds three top names to middleweight hit list for UFC return — ‘I’m ready’: Khamzat getting back into the cage before the end of 2026 would be great to see.
- Sean O’Malley expects to leapfrog red-hot Song Yadong for next UFC title shot — on one condition: I agree with O’Malley’s potential matchmaking: Suga vs. Yan OR Yadong vs. Merab makes sense depending on who’s holding gold. Odd man out gets Bautista?
Insomnia
Congrats to Joe Lauzon for picking up the knockout win in Fenway park! Hopefully, that’s a one-and-done for the long time fan favorite.
Joe Lauzon says he doesn't know if he had to ask for permission from the UFC to fight on the BKFC Fenway card, but he did.
He ended up speaking to Hunter Campbell who said "why are you doing this? This is the stupidest thing ever…If it's a money thing we'll help you out,… pic.twitter.com/VguOXBcl16
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) August 31, 2026
It was at this moment Umar Nurmagomedov realized he was in for a fight.
Yadong hits a slick deep half escape on Umar pic.twitter.com/FGbrfq7wT5
— MixingMartialArts (@RyanAWagMMA) August 30, 2026
While on the topic of “The KungFu Kid,” this highlight edit made me laugh.
Song Yadong is officially one of my favorite Bantemweights pic.twitter.com/P909VUjMoU
— xxcjxx (@xxcjxx15) August 30, 2026
Gable Steveson hands are coming along, but I don’t personally love how he’s rising out of his stance on every left hook …
Gable is getting fast!!! pic.twitter.com/Udip3PRMHg
— Brandon Gibson (@SixGunGibson) August 31, 2026
… why the explosions, Jose?
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I (wrongly) picked Kai Asakura over Alexandre Pantoja because I thought his ability to time gigantic shots (like below) would be relevant. Unfortunately for me, the Brazilian is made of steel! That shot kills a lesser man … as Aoriqileng found out.
パントージャ戦では左ハイではなく、膝というコンビネーションも好き https://t.co/kiV2ryVP8L pic.twitter.com/mMj1XASi7u
— こるそん (@colson3824) August 29, 2026
Love him or hate him, Brock Lesnar is a one-of-one athlete.
When Minnesota Wrestling Found Brock Lesnar! pic.twitter.com/aM7l1tNozY
— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) August 29, 2026
Slips, rips, and KO clips
The Ruotolo choke becoming more common could really change the current MMA meta in making back control more offensive.
Jeandrick Croes wins by submission in round 1!
[ #APFC25 | Live on UFC Fight Pass ] pic.twitter.com/SGg049NCUy
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) August 31, 2026
Oldest open stance trick in the book!
Andrew Alvara brutally knocks out Julian Perez. Held him in place stepping on his foot and launched that overhand left. #APFC25 pic.twitter.com/6puaD8kzsm
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) August 31, 2026
Perfectly timed spin!
Former UFC fighter AJ Cunningham just SLEPT his opponent with a nasty spinning elbow 😧
His first win in 3 years pic.twitter.com/txWeiWcPVu
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) August 29, 2026
Random Land
A bird’s eye view.
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Midnight Music: Jazz, 1963
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.