By BrainFall Staff - Published: July 15, 2024
It’s one of the most popular sports on the planet, as it combines some of the best sports from around the world and puts them all together inside an octagon. Mixed martial arts, or MMA, combines multiple different sports, including boxing, kickboxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and wrestling. MMA fighters are in tremendous shape, and they are taking part in a combat sport that’s thrilling to watch and nearly impossible to perform. The greatest MMA fighter in either a men’s or women’s bracket is someone that has battled through adversity to claim championships. Whether it’s the light heavyweight champion, the middleweight champion, the featherweight champion, or one in other weight classes, they’ve put in their time to get to where they are now. The greatest MMA fighters are ones that typically have excelled in UFC.
UFC history is where some of the greatest MMA fighters have earned titles and enjoyed glory. Mixed martial arts fighters vie for titles and can perform wild athletic moves during a fight, like a rear naked choke hold, a well-rounded strike, or a punishing kick. If you think you have what it takes to win a championship, start training now. But if you don’t like to get in fights, at least with a professional fighter, you should just compare your attributes to an MMA fighter. Take this quiz to see which MMA fighter you’re most like!
MMA fighters
MMA, or mixed martial arts, is a combat sport that involves striking, kicking, and wrestling. An MMA fighter is an advanced mixed martial arts competitor who will compete for things such as a light heavyweight championship, heavyweight championship, and other titles. UFC is the largest MMA promotions company. Other MMA promotions are Bellator MMA, Fight Nights Global, and One Championship. MMA fighters are skilled in disciplines like Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling, boxing, kickboxing, judo, and more. Mixed martial arts fighters are placed in weight classes and battle in cages, arenas, rings, and octagons.
There are different styles of mixed martial arts fighting that can be utilized. Sprawl and brawl are effective with stand-up striking. Fighters who have used that discipline are Junior dos Santos, Chuck Liddell, Mark Hunt, and more. The ground-and-pound style aims to take an opponent to the ground and strike the opponent downward. This can also set up submission attempts. Fighters like Chael Sonnen, Tito Ortiz, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Cain Velasquez, and more followed the route of Mark Coleman for that.
Big fights generally take place in arenas around the world, like Las Vegas or Dubai. There is a dark side to MMA fighting too, as aggression can get the best of fighters, as seen recently by amateur MMA fighter Ross Johnson, who is charged with killing an Air Force Airman who worked at Tyndall Air Force Base. Mixed martial arts is a dangerous sport, and proper refereeing and training are a must.
Which Famous MMA Fighter are you?
Ever wondered if your fighting spirit aligns with the legendary warriors of the octagon? Imagine stepping into the world of mixed martial arts, where every punch, kick, and grapple echoes the essence of a famous fighter. We've seen the greats clash in epic battles, leaving us on the edge of our seats, and now it's our turn to find out which MMA icon mirrors our own approach to life's daily tussles.
Let's face it, we can’t all be the undefeated champs of our universe, but we sure can dream about it! Are you the type to strategize and calculate every move like a chess grandmaster of martial arts, or do you dive into challenges with the ferocity of a heavyweight knockout king? Maybe you've got the endurance to outlast any rival in a test of wills? How about the skill to adapt to any situation thrown at you? It's time to find out which famous UFC gladiator you'd be if you swapped your day job for the thrill of the octagon.
Meet the Contenders
Before we pair you up with your MMA twin, let's size up the titans you could be channeling. From the trailblazers to the show-stoppers, these athletes have left an indelible mark on the cage with their unique blend of skills and personalities.
Legends of the Octagon
The legends, our revered martial arts maestros, are those who have brawled their way into the annals of history. They've got their own wing in the Hall of Fame, and for good reason! Let's talk about the Original Gangster of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Royce Gracie. This man was tackling giants when most of us were still learning not to spill apple juice on our coloring books.
- Chuck Liddell: This knockout king had a right hand that could turn off lights faster than a power outage.
- Anderson 'The Spider' Silva: With moves slicker than your grandma on the dance floor, Silva wove through opponents with elegance.
- Matt Hughes: Talk about a farm strength freak; his takedowns were like being caught in a tractor's hay baler.
Modern Gladiators
Okay, moving on to the current top dogs, the ones making headlines and breaking records. These fighters not only have mad skills but can throw shade with the best of them. They're so talented; it feels like they've got cheat codes enabled.
- Conor McGregor: Ah, the Sultan of Swagger, master of the mental warfare and owner of the sharpest suits—and tongue—in the game.
- Khabib 'The Eagle' Nurmagomedov: A grappling guru who turned the octagon into his own personal nest, leaving zero space for prey to escape.
- 'Rowdy' Ronda Rousey: Before she was arm-barring her way through Hollywood, she was tossing bodies like salads in the women's bantamweight division.
- 'The Last Stylebender' Israel Adesanya: He's like the main character in an action flick. Striking so precise, you'd think he's got a GPS system in his gloves.
Now then, are you ready to find out which of these warriors is your fighting spirit animal? Strap on your gloves, and let's get quizzy with it!
What's Your Fighter Type?
In the cage of life, we all fight our battles differently, just like the pros in the octagon. Whether it's throwing hands like a boss or grappling your problems into submission, we all have a unique style. Let's see which methods of UFC mastery you line up with!
Striking Vipers
Unleash the inner striker! Imagine you're channeling the precision of Michael Bisping or the knockout power of Francis Ngannou. Strikers have a way with their fists and feet that turns the octagon into a dance floor and their opponents into unwilling tango partners. Welterweight wizards like Georges St-Pierre and light heavyweight legends such as Lyoto Machida have etched their names in history with striking moves that are equal parts art and annihilation.
- Preferred techniques: Jab, Cross, Hook
- Famous figures: Chuck Liddell's icy touch, Vitor Belfort's blistering speed
- Typical training: Endless hours perfecting the sweet science of boxing and the dynamic kicks of karate
Ground-and-Pound Gurus
If you're a fan of getting up close and personal, envision yourself as a ground-and-pound specialist. There's no greater thrill than dragging an opponent to the mat and letting fists rain down until the ref pulls you off. It's like a heavyweight rendition of Whack-a-Mole, where the mole is a very large human and the stakes are infinitely higher.
- Dominant down-timers: Heavyweight champs like Randy Couture and the formidable Dan Henderson
- Key strategy: Use wrestling to control, then hammer away until victory is certain
- Octagon mantra: If you can hug it, you can hit it
Submission Specialists
Ah, the artists of the art of eight limbs - except, for you, those limbs are for entangling foes like a spider catches a fly. You're the type who idolizes the likes of Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson or dreams of achieving the legendary flexibility and technique of BJ Penn. To you, there's nothing more beautiful than the moment your opponent taps out, a symphony of joints and wills.
- Signature moves: Armbars, Chokes, Leglocks
- Inspiration stations: The grace of Bas Rutten, the cunning of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
- Belief: Why punch when you can make them give up with a hug?
