Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Let’s start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.
- UFC Mexico City loses Contender Series rookie, undefeated knockout artist steps in on three days notice: Based on the amount of online chatter about the debuting Regina Tarin, she will be quite the fan favorite if she’s any good.
- UFC Mexico City’s resident twerker won’t fight if ‘boring’ Macy Chiasson misses weight – ‘She’s very big’: Fun fact: Perez missed weight just two fights ago.
- Former UFC Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker officially makes move to Light Heavyweight – ‘I want to give it a go’: At this point, 205 pounds feels like a reasonable move for Whittaker. His odds of capturing gold aren’t great, but at least he’d have a quicker path to the belt.
Insomnia
Ilia Topuria vs. Arman Tsarukyan
Here’s hoping a quick recovery for Nora Cornolle after her disastrous UFC Houston defeat and confirmed broken collarbone.
An interesting insight into the mind of Anthony Smith and general pressures of being a UFC fighter.
Seeing Brock Lesnar in person has to be a wild experience.
The last five fighters the UFC released were better than either of these guys. Presumably committed fewer crimes too!
Andre Fili sparring with 10-1 Georgian prospect Otari Tanzilovi ahead of his next bout:
Slips, rips, and KO clips
I remember posting this clip when it happened, but nowadays it’s completely recontextualized because I know both Edgar Chairez and Gianni Vasquez.
A crash into the clinch punctuated by a knee on the break:
A fighter is never stronger or faster than the opening 30 seconds while filled with nervous energy and adrenaline.
Random Land
The War on Winter.
Midnight Music: Pop/rock, 1966
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
