Starting with a famous quote from the movie “Up in the Air.”
“Do you know why kids look up to athletes? Kids love athletes because they follow their dreams”.
Though MMA is a violent sport, the UFC has seen a larger spike in popularity and is worth somewhere to $4 billion.
It is extremely successful among fans and young adults since its launch in November 1993.
The viewership is increasing year after year and more UFC events are expected in upcoming years all around the world.
Even Though MMA is brutal and hard, many MMA fighters from a very young age started learning this disciplined sport and pursuing their dream and love for this game.
These MMA fighters when they were young, must have their favorite fighter, idols, and role models. Let’s talk about MMA fighters and their favorite fighters.
1. Conor McGregor
The former double champion and the face of UFC in previous years is one of the most notorious fighters ever in UFC history.
Conor in his interview on the “UFC on Fox” youtube channel said Rickson Gracie was his inspiration. Rickson Gracie is a Brazilian 9th-degree red belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and a retired mixed martial artist.
He also added Bruce Lee and Muhammad Ali’s names to his list and hails them as the heroes and the game changers of all time.
In an interview, Conor says
“My top fighters of all time would have to be the list of three. Rickson Gracie, I think his approach to martial arts and his approach to the game of combat are well beyond years and he is definitely an inspiration of mine. Of Course Bruce Lee as well, his philosophy in the ring through another man ahead of his time, both are heroes of mine, and then Muhammad Ali as well fits in there. He Changes the face of the game and is the game changer.”
Additionally, in the Twitter thread, Conor revealed his greatest MMA fighters of all time.
In the thread, Conor ranks himself in a second position. His MMA’s G.O.A.T ranks are
- Anderson Sliva.
- Conor McGregor.
- George St-Pierre.
- Jon Bones.
2. Khabib Nurmagomedev
The undefeated UFC Lightweight Champion, Khabib Nurmagomedev with 29 wins and 0 losses is one of the best fighters UFC has ever seen in recent years.
Khabib’s biggest inspiration in his life was his father Adulmanap Nurmagomedev, who learned Judo and Sambo during his military service.
Khabib says
“In this regard, my father was the best, because he always showed everything by his own example, whatever he did. He always said, I just always wanted to be the best. If a man has inspiration, he will succeed. And I use to draw this motivation, this energy from him”.
Khabib also stated George St-Pierre as one of his idols. George St-Pierre was also his father’s favorite fighter.
Khabib in an Arnold Sports Festival said
“GSP was his father’s favorite fighter and I was like, I grew up watching his fight. You Know it’s honor to stay with him here[…].”
He also said “I think he was the first fighter who becomes a well-rounded fighter. He can strike, he can wrestle, he can take you down, he can hold you there, he can give you crazy ground and pound, he can do a lot of submissions. In my opinion at that time, he was the first in UFC, he represents real mixed martial arts.”
Also Read : NFL players and their favorite players.
3. Israel Adesanya
The last style bender Israel Adesanya is one of the most entertaining fighters in the UFC. His favorite UFC fighter is his idol, Anderson Silva.
Adesanya was one of the fighters in the UFC who fought their idol and secured a win.
Silva was approaching the end of his career When Adesanya defeated the Brazilian in 2019. The match was widely called the match between the student and teacher.
In a recent interview with “The Schmo”, the youtube star Jake Paul revealed that Adesanya warned him ahead of Anderson Silva fight. “He said don’t get wrapped up in the spider web” Paul revealed after speaking to Adesanya ahead of the match.
Another favorite fighter of Adesanya is Demetrius Johnson who holds the record for the most takedowns in UFC flyweight history.
4. Jon Jones:
The youngest champion in UFC history Jon Jones one of his favorite fighter and idol was “The Axe Murderer Rampage Jackson .”
Jon Bones in his interview with MMAWeekly revealed his nightmares before fighting his idol Rampage Jackson in September 2011.
Jon Bones said “When I fought Rampage Jackson, that guy, I had a lot of nightmares leading up to that fight of things not going my way and for some reason, he just intimated me […].He is the guy you know he howls and his big gold chain and everything I looked up to him and idolized […].”
Jon Jones also idolized Anderson Silva who was his favorite fighter. In the year 2012, when fans anticipated Jon Jones vs Anderson Silva fight.
Jon Jones said
“Anderson Silva is kind of like my idol and fighting your idol, it’s not a thrill for me. I don’t want to beat Anderson Silva. I don’t want to lose to Anderson Silva. It’s a lose-lose situation in my opinion.”
5. Charles Oliveira
The most dangerous finisher in UFC, “do Bronx” Charles Oliveira’s idol was Jon Jones.
When Charles Oliveira started his career in the year 2010, he idolized the Brazilian kickboxer and mixed martial artist Thiago Silva.
Oliveira in his interview with “Brazil MMA Clips” was asked about his idols in the fighting world.
Oliveira said “There were a lot of guys whom I looked and thought, I wanna be like when I grow. Jon Jones was one of those. Right when I started, I idolized Thiago Silva. But today I am my idol.”
Other than fighting Charles Oliveira is a great fan of football and likes Neymar jr.
In a recent interview said, “Neymar is a great guy I love, I admire and I think he’s got everything to tear things apart at the World Cup.”
6. Khamzat Chimaev
The rising star Khamzat Chimaev admitted that he grew up watching Nate Diaz as a warrior and idolized him in combat sports.
Before the match between Khamzat Chimaev vs Nate Diaz match which was canceled due to missed weights, Khamzat Chimaev on a phone call admitted that he admired Nate Diaz’s hard work that he put into his career.
He said ”Of Course, I am a fan of Nate Diaz. If you are not fan what are you doing here, like I think the guys who said I like nobody no shit, is a liar. Because you look up somebody you know if you are playing tennis you’re gonna look up to the best guys for playing good. This guy is in the top all of his life you know, I look up to him and other guys and watch the fights. I like that guy […]. He’s a tough guy. Everyone respects the tough guy. I am the warrior, he’s the warrior and I always respect the warrior.”
7. George St-Pierre
The greatest Canadian MMA athlete George St-Pierre hasn’t mentioned any fighter as his idol but was a great fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger and idolized him as his role model.
Recently GSP shared his unforgettable moments after meeting his idol Arnold Schwarzenegger on Social media.
Though GSP is not competing professionally, his love for combat sports remains the same and reveals his favorite fighter in recent times.
The names include Henry Cejudo, Dominick Cruz, Israel Adesanya, Jon Jones, Francis Ngannou, and Daniel Cormier.
8. Jose Aldo
The undisputed featherweight champion of the world for 2405 days Jose Aldo’s favorite idol was Brazilian mixed martial artist Leo Santos, Vitor Shaolin and Robinho.
Aldo said
“My hook-sweep game comes from Leo Santos, who hook sweeps everybody. I find it phenomenal. He is one guy I’ve always been inspired by on the ground in MMA or BJJ.”
He further added
“One guy I’m also a big fan of whom I loved to watch in competitions and root for is Leo Vieira. To me, he is a phenomenon with spectacular, aggressive BJJ. I’ve never seen anyone jump like him. I had a passion for watching him fight.”
9. Tyron Woodley
The actor, music producer, and rapper Tyron Woodley on the “BS w/ Jake Paul” show revealed his favorite and best fighters of UFC. The names include Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, Demetrious Johnson, and GSP.
Tyron Woodley on his favorite fighters said:
Jon Jones: “Best fighter we have seen whether he’s fought consistently or whatever the case.”
Anderson Silva: “I would say is the G.O.A.T because he did it in a really respectful way.”
Demetrious Johnson:“Demetrious Johnson is the most well rounded fighter we’ve ever saw.”
GSP: “I f**k with GSP because he was very respectful all the time.”
10. Sean O’Malley
The Skinny knockout beast Sean O’Malley is a big admirer of Conor McGregor and always wanted to be next Conor McGregor.
UFC President Dana White believes O’Malley has the potential to make a huge impact on the organization just like McGregor.
In a recent interview when speaking to Barstool sports Sean O’Malley said
“I would love to be the next Conor McGregor and be a global superstar”. He also said “Conor is an f…..g man dude I’ve learned so much watching his career of what to do and what not to do […]” in Logan Paul’s show impaulsive episode 290.
Vignesh Subrmanian doesn’t just watch sports, he dissects them. A former college athlete with a stat-cracking obsession, he dives deep into the numbers, analyzes player tendencies, and crunches data to deliver insights that leave you breathless.Vignesh will help you discover who’s the best and win every sports debate with fellow fans!
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