It’s one of the most time-honored truisms in MMA: “Styles make fights.”
Fans may differ on what exactly defines a truly great cage fight—some lean towards evenly matched contests in which either combatant may emerge victorious, others enjoy the spectacle of seeing a mismatch unfold before their very eyes. Whatever the inclination may be, few would argue that it all boils down to the iconic moments that linger in highlight reels for years to come.
There are a few elite fighters that have a habit of delivering those moments with startling consistency.
They don’t make this list simply because of their sound technique or orthodox execution. Sure, they may have spent countless gym hours drilling the classic 1-2-3 combination, but they know that it’s about something more exotic than rigid performance.
Instead, these select fighters embrace their inner showmanship and infuse their technique with tons of style and panache.
Each time they set foot in the Octagon, fans wiggle closer to the edges of their seats in anticipation of the wild techniques sure to be executed. Let’s take a look at who’s willing to push the boundaries with reckless abandon.