ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 26: (R-L) Ilia Topuria of Spain punches Max Holloway in the UFC featherweight championship fight during the UFC 308 event at Etihad Arena on October 26, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Welcome to Midnight Mania! Let’s start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of Monday, April 27, 2026. Alex Pereira’s coach Plinio Cruz announces return to fighting: ‘Daddy’s back!’: Plinio Cruz beating up some random influencer at Misfits would be a very funny return to combat. Nickel and dime! UFC finish and performance bonuses don’t stack, leaving fighters short $25k: I remember reading this detail when it was announced, but essentially the performance bonus moved from $50k to $75k. UFC Vegas 116 results: Matches to make for ‘Sterling vs. Zalal’ main card winners: Aljamain Sterling vs. Jean Silva in a true title eliminator feels like the fight to make. Insomnia Ilia Topuria’s reputation as a demon in sparring is well-deserved. Ilia Topuria destroying his sparring partners in preparation for the Justin Gaethje fight 😳 They were really asking him to go lighter 😭 (via @Topuriailia) pic.twitter.com/ABRpInx2dx — Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 26, 2026 Aljamain Sterling expending zero energy to score his first two takedowns was incredibly impressive. “Funkmaster” doesn’t have the best gas tank, but he manages it masterfully — a perk of training with Merab? Aljo drawing out Zalal's knee and sweeping him on his ass pic.twitter.com/p5B9h5FpYx — MixingMartialArts (@RyanAWagMMA) April 27, 2026 Hopefully, UFC’s upcoming trip to Serbia results in signing a few local prospects. UFC Serbia: I did a pivot from the data available at roster watch. There's 30+ countries with more fighters on the roster than Serbia(3). pic.twitter.com/tN7GIsosDm — Andy Hickey MMA (@AndyHickeyMMA) April 27, 2026 Davey Grant is the man, one of the great action fighters of the 2020s. You have to respect Davey Grant's approach to the fight game at this stage of his career: "I’m not delusional—I don’t think I’m going to get in there and make a title run. Look, if that happens—if I go out and knock out the next three in quick fights—maybe we can start talking… pic.twitter.com/EW8Ind0k9s — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 27, 2026 Ryan Garcia’s hand speed is truly an incredible trait. El boxeador profesional Ryan García le demuestra a un boxeador amateur que hay diferentes niveles en este deporte pic.twitter.com/N4IXeQ7Dpo — Vive con Propósito. (@PropositoyVida) April 25, 2026 Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira are going to “rematch” for cancer charities? Awesome stuff from the former champs. Together for Cancer Fighters ❤️👊🏻 At 45 million, I shaved my head. At 50 million – we’re setting up an unofficial rematch with @gloverteixeira. We’re proving that the real strength lies in people. Łatwogang thank you for moving so many hearts into action. This is where the… pic.twitter.com/Es7p4aKlFL — Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) April 25, 2026 Slips, rips, and KO clips You’re not supposed to let amateur fighters die, ref. Eric Ngari 10 seconds KO at ANZA FIGHT NIGHTS 008 in Nairobi, Kenya pic.twitter.com/8MEhsrFwQu — Matysek (@Matysek88) April 26, 2026 Lovely switch high kick that lands direct on the temple: 24 second head kick by Batyrbiy Gusenov #EagleFC58 pic.twitter.com/EGsjNMvmWj — caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 26, 2026 Being nasty in the clinch with knees and elbows seems like the most consistent way to score knockouts in women’s MMA. WOOOOOW!!!! CHAMP-CHAMP!!! 🇸🇰Lucia Szabová (11-0) gana a la brasileña Leidiane Fernandes (7-3) por TKO vía GNP en el tercer asalto y se convierte en la nueva campeona del peso mosca de OKTAGON MMA, ya lo era del peso gallo, necesito verla en la UFC #OKTAGON87 pic.twitter.com/KBiqxKcbG8 — Pelunaton (@pelunaton) April 25, 2026 Random Land That moment where raw rage turns into actual regret makes this an instant classic internet video. In June 2023 a Portland man drove through Grand Floral Parade barricades. He got 5 years in 2024 pic.twitter.com/tWJYJfXWX0 — wild cuts (@publicfreekout) April 26, 2026 Get involved with Mania community in The Feed! Midnight Music: Indie rock, 2025 Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.