Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Let’s start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.
- UFC releases first official rankings update for Paramount+ era with big moves from Justin Gaethje, Jean Silva: How long until AI takes over the rankings? Dana has been teasing it for ages now.
- Illegal? ‘Big’ John McCarthy weighs in on Jean Silva’s controversial spinal surf at UFC 324: Like I wrote last time, the difference-maker is Silva planting and jumping rather than actually kicking downwards. The static nature of his jump keeps things legal!
- Video: Rose Namajunas breaks down in tears after controversial UFC 324 loss: Between a close loss and eye surgery, it’s been a rough week for “Thug Rose.”
Insomnia
Michael Johnson and his team had the following to say about their cancelled bout versus Alexander Hernandez: “We were obviously disappointed by the cancellation, as Michael had an outstanding training camp and was fully prepared to compete. That said, we understand and respect the UFC’s responsibility to protect the integrity of the sport. In today’s environment, particularly with the growth of regulated sport’s betting and heightened scrutiny across professional sports, these matters have to be taken seriously. We appreciate the open communication from the UFC throughout the process, and our focus now is working with them to have Michael rebooked as soon as possible.”
Arman Tsarukyan’s dad has an opportunity to do the funniest thing imaginable.
The best Volkanovski skit since he dressed up like an old man.
Jean Silva vs. Arnold Allen was very much my personal UFC 324 “Fight of the Night.”
Given his 0-3 UFC record, I cannot imagine anyone is too shocked by this release.
Does anyone else expect Alexander Volkanovski to wrestle much more aggressively in this rematch?
This isn’t real, but I’m choosing to believe Marvin Vettori thinks it is.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
An interim LFA champion on a 12-fight win streak who knocks people out with body shots? Why isn’t he signed yet?
An amazing read and counter to the straight left hand:
Ex-UFC Middleweight Armen Petrosyan demonstrating the competition isn’t much easier on Russian regional shows than UFC undercards.
Random Land
I love absurd feats of strength/weird exercises.
Midnight Music: Hip-hop, 2005
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
