Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Arman Tsarukyan isn't the most popular player on American Top Team right now.
Last weekend (Sat., June 1, 2024), longtime ATT member Dustin Poirier challenged Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title in the main event of UFC 302. The 35-year-old veteran gave it his all, pushing the champion to a grueling five rounds and exceeding most people's expectations. Despite the hard work, Makhachev proved his greatness by scoring a slick Darce choke late in the bout.View highlights). Both fighters received an additional $50,000 in “Fight of the Night” bonuses for their performance.
Unfortunately, Tsarukyan was not impressed with his ATT teammate. Although Tsarukyan does not work full-time at ATT, he was unnecessarily harsh in his assessment of Poirier's performance, describing him as “mentally broken” and criticizing him for giving up in the fifth set – a bit of a disrespect for an older teammate who left the champion bleeding with a shattered nose, torn ACL and broken ribs!
Predictably, the rest of the ATT crew was not impressed by Tsarukyan's criticism or choice of words. One-time rival Mateusz Gamrot (who trained extensively with Poirier in wrestling for this bout and cornered him) simply responded, “Arman is an idiot!”
Armand is a nasty woman!
— Mateusz Gamrot (@gamer_mma) June 5, 2024
Additionally, ATT boxing coach Dear Davis accused Tsarukyan of being a fake online. In an Instagram comment responding to Tsarukyan's comment, he wrote, “This guy fakes love and respect in the gym but the minute he gets a chance to throw a punch he takes it. Damn, he's a clown.”
It would be no surprise if this ends in a split, given Poirier's highly respected status in the ATT world and, as the record states, the MMA world as a whole. If Tsarukyan gets another shot at lightweight gold, his preparation likely won't take place at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida.
insomnia
Come to think of it, Poirier's nose wasn't supposed to look like that…
Another sparring clip of top kickboxer Yuki Yoza:
Shawn Strickland responds to Luke Rockhold's call! I think Rockhold would have dominated Strickland in his prime, but those days are long gone…
A couple of things… one round of sparring, I beat you up, and you ran away like a bitch.
Plus, we were going to fight. I said, 'Oh, that's easy money.'
And then a few weeks later he retreated…
Extreme? I'll fuck you for fun lol https://t.co/8QcDb3oZpj
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) June 5, 2024
Peyton Talbot skating alongside Tony Hawk is so awesome!
Imagine what would happen if Dominick Reyes somehow returns in top form this weekend.
Makhachev vs Poirier was a really intense fight.
Eddie Alvarez was not pleased with Strickland's recent criticism of bare-knuckle boxing, but if there's anyone who's experienced that, it's “The Underground King.”
Slip, Lip, KO Clip
Hernandez did a good job angling his overhand shots.
I agree with Bas, I like soft music with some brutal highlights.
In amateur fights, extra shots are not needed…
Random Land
A battle of the apex predators.
Midnight Music: Classic Rock, 1970
Sleep tight, enthusiasts! The martial arts madness is about to continue.
