(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images Welcome to Midnight Mania! Let’s start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. UFC roster purge claims nine victims as promotion makes room for new crop of ‘Contender Series’ standouts: Out with the old Contender Series guys, in with the new Contender Series guys (repeated indefinitely). Gable Steveson: Add Jon Jones to list of heavyweights excited for the belt ‘opening up’: Further evidence to the confirm that Jones never wanted to fight Tom Aspinall … as if more was needed. Dana White labels new Contender Series signee ‘greatest talent that’s ever been on the show’: Akbar Abdullaev always looked great in One, so it’s great to see him immediately picking up steam in the Octagon. Insomnia I love a good MMA conspiracy, but it’s hard to believe Gaethje and co. could pull off such a scheme on the most high-profile night of the year. Justin Gaethje responds to Ilia Topuria's accusations that he loaded his gloves: "People don't believe that. I've done that to everybody's face that I fought. Am I willing to [rematch him]? I just beat the sh*t out of him, of course I would." (via joy.of.everything/IG) pic.twitter.com/XHjYdKw2Co — Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 17, 2026 It’s always good to see the occasional fighter who can read the room. Sean King III says he was going to taunt Team Rosas with a “chiwiwis” on the mic after his brutal slam KO, but became concerned when Jessie Rosas wasn’t moving: "I thought he wasn’t alive for a second… I was all hyped and then I was like, ‘Oh shit, he’s actually not moving.’” pic.twitter.com/79j0XuSXf3 — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 16, 2026 My favorite part of this highlight collection is that most of these decisions are unanimous and non-controversial. Compilation of Chito Vera losing 29-28 decisions but thinking he won. #UFC331 pic.twitter.com/ptK5cpCQaX — BananaMMA (@BananaManSmash) September 15, 2026 Muslim Salikhov showed off so many cool looks in this fight. Imagine if he didn’t spend so many years dominating the Sanda scene … Sanda unc Muslim Salikhov hitting his signature cross catch as Bahamondes tries to kick his head pic.twitter.com/UWkSUC6sn6 — MixingMartialArts (@RyanAWagMMA) September 15, 2026 Average fan and fighter interaction: It’s nice to have fans pic.twitter.com/jWHUpDvD60 — Tim Elliott (@TElliott125) September 15, 2026 Tommy McMillen has earned the rare Nate Diaz co-sign. Nate Diaz is becoming quite the fan of Tommy McMillen 🎥 @MikeHeck_JR pic.twitter.com/0045qL29CR — MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) September 15, 2026 Win or lose this weekend at UFC 331, Joshua Van is going to shatter that Flyweight wins record over the next five years or so. Alexandre Pantoja and Joshua Van are two of the winningest flyweights in UFC history Now they fight for the gold in the rematch this Saturday 👀 [ #UFC331 | Sep 19 LIVE on @paramountplus ] pic.twitter.com/3XNQ0SFNVN — UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) September 14, 2026 Slips, rips, and KO clips Throwing naked inside low kicks is such an awful risk-reward ratio. WOW. 30 second KO by Laryssa Leila to kick off LFA#LFA241 pic.twitter.com/MgWu468hIA — caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) September 11, 2026 Bare knuckle boxing results in tough men crumbling in pain far more often than any other type of combat sports. JAMES RODRIGUEZ ABSOLUTELY DOMINATES TO SECURE A FIRST ROUND FINISH! 😮‍💨💥#BKFC93 | Live NOW on BKFC+ pic.twitter.com/1xmMm4InOw — Bare Knuckle FC (@bareknucklefc) September 12, 2026 A quick lead right hand will catch people off guard. Nasty 1st round KO from #FuryFC123 ammy prelims Fernando Gutierrez is bad man pic.twitter.com/zKy26XI795 — FriedMMA (@MerrabiMedia) August 15, 2026 Random Land Gotta watch your surroundings: View this post on Instagram Get involved with Mania community in The Feed! Midnight Music: Hip-hop, 2008 Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.