While winning is typically most important to a fighter, mixed martial arts (MMA) is also a business, and a business that pays well towards those who entertain. One could be a truly elite level fighter, but simply not garner the same attention as others because fans feel as if he or she is boring so
While winning is typically most important to a fighter, mixed martial arts (MMA) is also a business, and a business that pays well towards those who entertain.
One could be a truly elite level fighter, but simply not garner the same attention as others because fans feel as if he or she is boring so to say.
With that being said, we’ve seen the emergence of many fighters over the years that are willing to take risks, try new things, and show off their wide variety of skillsets, and in return, they are deemed as entertaining.
Aside from the entertainment factor, using unorthodox techniques can also prove to be confusing towards opponents.
Not all fighters or athletes have the special tools needed to open the eyes of fans around the world, but those that due are usually revered because of it.
While athletes are often looked upon as role models and admirable figures, some just don’t fit the mold. Sure, there’s plenty of classy, respectful athletes that go on to have extremely successful careers, but there always has to be a bad guy to balance things out. This is widely relevant in the sport of mixed
While athletes are often looked upon as role models and admirable figures, some just don’t fit the mold.
Sure, there’s plenty of classy, respectful athletes that go on to have extremely successful careers, but there always has to be a bad guy to balance things out.
This is widely relevant in the sport of mixed martial arts, as personality and style can often times weigh out skill in terms of popularity and fan reception.
Aside from the class act champions like all-time great Georges “Rush” St-Pierre, we have seen many fighters travel down different paths.
Whether it be mistakes made, or a conscious decision to embrace the role of a heel, we have seen our fair share of bad boys in the UFC.
The heavyweight division has long been the bright spot in combat sports. From boxing legends like Muhammad Ali and “Iron” Mike Tyson, to MMA greats Fedor Emelianenko and Fabricio Werdum, fans have always been drawn to heavyweights. From their towering structures, to their bone crushing knockout power, heavyweights have never had trouble drawing fans to
The heavyweight division has long been the bright spot in combat sports.
From boxing legends like Muhammad Ali and “Iron” Mike Tyson, to MMA greats Fedor Emelianenko and Fabricio Werdum, fans have always been drawn to heavyweights.
From their towering structures, to their bone crushing knockout power, heavyweights have never had trouble drawing fans to seats, or eyes to televisions.
Currently in MMA, the UFC’s heavyweight division is at an interesting stage.
With injuries running rampant throughout the upper echelon of the division over the last few years, a new champion has recently rose to prominence, as well as a wealth of new contenders who have made the division quite cloudy, yet exciting at the same time.
With that being said, it’s interesting to take a dive deep into the rich history of MMA’s most prolific division, and not only within the UFC, but within the sport as a whole.
Read on to see the 12 best heavyweights of all-time:
Check out the full list of current UFC champions and how they came to conquer their divisions. Who is your favorite UFC champ right now? The current crop of UFC champions is an interesting scene. There’s been new marquee divisions emerge over the recent years, and also the heaviest and lightest divisions continue to struggle
Check out the full list of current UFC champions and how they came to conquer their divisions. Who is your favorite UFC champ right now?
The current crop of UFC champions is an interesting scene. There’s been new marquee divisions emerge over the recent years, and also the heaviest and lightest divisions continue to struggle in their own respects. We’ve seen a changing of the guard unlike ever before, as all but the flyweight title have changed hands in the last year. It’s crazy when you think about it, as it appears to be getting even harder to be what’s considered a ‘long reigning’ champion.
In honor of the UFC champions that are in place as of today (2/5/2016), we’ve compiled a list of current UFC title holders and how they won their belts. Enjoy.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk
UFC women’s strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk holds all the records at the lowest weight class right now. She is one of the most dominant fighters ever to cross over from the world of Muay Thai, is unbeaten at 11-0 in her mixed martial arts career, and arguably has the best striking in the sport today.
Facing Carla Esparza at UFC 185 in March 2015, a night where two titles changed hands, Joanna ‘Champion’ scored a brutal TKO over a bewildered Esparza.
Mighty Mouse
Demetrious Johnson is the dominant champion of the UFC flyweight division, but is highly unheralded in his pursuit. Currently riding a nine fight unbeaten streak, seven as champion, he’s rumoured to face Henry Cejudo next time out.
He is the only ever UFC flyweight champ, having won the belt after a tournament in 2012, defeating Joseph Benavidez by decision. As that’s 25 minutes of action though, we’ll show you the rematch, where he blasted ‘J-Bo’ with a stunning first round knockout:
Dominick Cruz
The original UFC bantamweight champion was forced to vacate his belt after years of career threatening injuries to his lower body, making his most recent win so much more special. A brief comeback against Takeya Mizugaki in 2014 showed ‘The Dominator’ was still very motivated, and it sparked a rivalry with the champ of the time, TJ Dillashaw.
The rivalry was settled at UFC Fight Night 81, where Cruz edged his rival on the judge’s scorecards with his incredible footwork.
Muay Thai, the art of eight limbs, uses the knees as an essential weapon to achieve success. This ancient art form has become a key component in mixed martial arts (MMA), and we have seen fighters time and time again use knees to inflict devastating damage on opponents. While knees are usually used within the
Muay Thai, the art of eight limbs, uses the knees as an essential weapon to achieve success. This ancient art form has become a key component in mixed martial arts (MMA), and we have seen fighters time and time again use knees to inflict devastating damage on opponents.
While knees are usually used within the clinch, it takes a special athlete or a special fighter to transform the attack into a flashy, yet deathly move: the flying knee.
Although flying knees aren’t often thrown, and even more rarely landed, we have seen on multiple occasions fighters execute the move, and when executed perfectly, the victim often finds himself staring up at the lights.
Some of the greatest knockouts of all-time have come by way of flying knee, and with that in mind, let’s take a look at the five best in UFC history:
When a spinning kick so beautifully timed lands to the jaw of a fighter, eyeballs roll and fans go nuts. Welcome to the countdown… While a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter is primarily focused on winning a fight in any way possible, he or she also has bosses as well as thousands and thousands of
When a spinning kick so beautifully timed lands to the jaw of a fighter, eyeballs roll and fans go nuts. Welcome to the countdown…
While a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter is primarily focused on winning a fight in any way possible, he or she also has bosses as well as thousands and thousands of screaming fans to win over.
Fight fans don’t tune into a fight hoping for a 15 to 25 minute snooze fest, but rather for back and forth action and sensational finishes.
That being said, some of the most successful and adored fighters have been those who are willing to think outside of the box, try new things, and take risks. MMA is a show in its own right, and those capable of pulling off the flashiest of moves are those who are remembered forever.
One of the most revered and sought after moves in fighting is the spinning kick: a tremendously difficult, yet overly exciting strike.
The spinning kick must be timed perfectly, and landed right on the money, making it a move we don’t see every day. However, we have seen our fair share of devastating spinning kicks, some that have even ended the night for the victim.
Let’s take a look at the 6 best spinning kick knockouts in UFC history:
