For some people MMA competition is enough. Two tough guys, one cage, something has to give.
But for many, dare I suggest most, simply inserting two people into the UFC Octagon is not, in and of itself, particularly compelling. We’ve seen it—dozens, hundreds, even thousands of times.
It takes more than just organizing an athletic contest to get our attention. We need context, story or high stakes. Is a championship on the line? Is this a battle between two distinct styles?
Best of all, though? Are they getting it on because they don’t, gulp, get along?
Modern MMA turns 21 this year. It’s old enough to have a bit of an established history, old enough for us to draw some sweeping conclusions and make some broad generalizations. Here’s one—the most successful fights at the box office are contests built on pure and unadulterated hatred.
When two fighters legitimately don’t get along, MMA fans turn into vampires in a mad hunt for blood. From the earliest days, starting with Ken Shamrock storming out of a 1996 press conference prior to his fight with Dan Severn at UFC 6, bad blood has equaled big bucks.
What follows are the 10 most intense feuds in the history of this great sport. These are the few and the proud who have either delivered in the cage, amused us in the buildup or made promoters rich.
Have more to add? Please let me know in the comments.