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The UFC is home to some of the greatest MMA fighters in the world. These fighters bring the most elite combat skills to the octagon and amaze fans worldwide with their exceptional martial arts knowledge.
However, the UFC isn’t just about fighting. It’s a sports entertainment organization, after all, and is currently the very best in the MMA realm. Be it the amazing fights or the fiery trash talk battles that UFC fighters engage in with their opponents; the promotion has no shortage of entertainment and entertainers.
Some of its more famous entertainers – Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey, Jorge Masvidal, Israel Adesanya, and others – are beloved for their martial arts skills, style and charismatic personalities. The top UFC stars in the world have repeatedly shown that competing in a grueling sport like MMA doesn’t mean that one has to compromise on style.
In fact, one can use the platform provided by the UFC and display styles to a broader audience. On that note, today, we look at some of the most iconic hairstyles in the UFC. These are haircuts that will forever live on as some of the most memorable ones in UFC history.
#5 Chuck Liddell
‘The Iceman’ and his signature mohawk haircut used to be the first thing that comes to mind when someone heard the word UFC. Such was Chuck Liddell’s impact on the promotion and MMA during his prime.
Chuck Liddell was one of the first MMA fighters to break through as a mainstream star. He connected as a bona fide star with combat sports audiences outside of MMA as well. Be it boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, or MMA, Liddell is recognized by almost everyone due to his outstanding fighting skills and unique persona.
The feared KO artist won the UFC light heavyweight title and competed against some of the best fighters in the world throughout his MMA career. With wins over Alistair Overeem, Vitor Belfort and Tito Ortiz (in his first two fights against Ortiz), Liddell cemented his legacy as one of the true legends of the sport of MMA.
Chuck Liddell’s last fight was a first-round KO loss against Tito Ortiz at Golden Boy Promotions: Liddell vs. Ortiz 3 (November 2018). He subsequently retired from MMA but is still one of the most famous combat sports personalities, known by many as the UFC titan with the Mohawk.
#4 Urijah Faber
‘The California Kid’ has always been a proud representative of his roots. And in true Cali style, he has rocked a braided hairstyle for most of his fights.
Urijah Faber is widely credited for being a great ambassador for the sport of MMA and for representing the lighter weight classes back when only the heavier weight classes were popular in the sport.
Faber has also earned widespread praise for helping train the next generation of fighters at Team Alpha Male (TAM), helping pass down his knowledge to future MMA stars.
Akin to Chuck Liddell, Urijah Faber is known for his unique persona and signature hairstyle. Faber and his braided hair became a symbol of the speed and relentless pace that characterize the lower weight classes in the UFC.
Now, granted that the Liddell’s Mohawk and Faber’s braids weren’t exclusive to them, the fact remains that they were the ones who popularized these hairstyles in the UFC. The way they carried themselves added to the appeal of their haircuts contributed to the aura and mystique of their unique personas.
Urijah Faber signed a new contract with the UFC in 2019. Faber’s most recent fight was a third-round KO loss against Petr Yan at UFC 245 (December 2019). On a side note, Faber recently cut his hair short and might sport a different look in his next fight.
#3 Jorge Masvidal
One of the biggest box office draws and most popular combat athletes in the world today, Jorge Masvidal, made a name for himself by "baptizing" his opponents and sending them to the shadow realm. A veteran of 50 professional MMA fights, Masvidal rose to prominence quite late in his combat sports career.
After a few trials in 2017, Masvidal took a break from professional MMA competition in 2018 and returned to the UFC in 2019. He broke through as a huge star after returning – scoring consecutive KO/TKO wins over Darren Till, Ben Askren, and Nate Diaz.
His return wasn't just about the knockouts, however, as fans also noticed his new hairstyle. Masvidal's comeback in 2019 was marked by his new long hair, which earned him the moniker of 'Street Jesus.'
Many fans explained that Jorge Masvidal's background as a street fighter and his resemblance to historical depictions of Jesus Christ resulted in Masvidal being baptized as Street Jesus.
Jorge Masvidal's most recent fight was a second-round KO loss against Kamaru Usman at UFC 261 (April 2021). Masvidal has vowed to return stronger than ever and eventually capture the UFC welterweight title.
#2 Mark Hunt
Mark Hunt is known as the king of walk-off KO’s, and for good reason. Hunt has fought some of the greatest fighters in MMA and is world-renowned for his legendary chin. The former UFC fighter is widely revered for being one of the toughest individuals in combat sports history.
But that’s not all he’s known for. The ‘Super Samoan’ is also known for the bleached blonde hairstyle he sports for his fights. Hunt usually has his hair cut short and then bleached ahead of any bouts.
On the UFC 180 Embedded: Vlog Series - Episode 1, Mark Hunt stated the following regarding his signature hairstyle:
"It’s my nickname, ‘The Super Samoan,' – You know, it’s a takeoff from the ‘Super Saiyans’, the Dragon Ball Z program. It’s one of my favorite cartoons that I used to watch in Japan and at home. So, this is my little way of paying homage to my favorite cartoons."
Mark Hunt’s most recent MMA fight was a unanimous decision loss against Justin Willis at UFC Fight Night: Dos Santos vs. Tuivasa (December 2018). Besides, Hunt’s most recent overall combat sports contest was a boxing match.
Hunt returned to professional boxing after parting ways with the UFC. He fought Paul Gallen in December 2020 and lost a decision to the former rugby player-turned-boxer.
#1 Ronda Rousey
A former UFC bantamweight champion, a former WWE RAW Women’s titleholder, and a sports entertainment megastar – Ronda Rousey is one of the true icons of MMA.
Not only did Rousey go down in history as one of the biggest box office superstars in combat sports, but also as someone who challenged societal and business norms that questioned whether a female fighter could rule the fight game.
Ronda Rousey is known for her fighting skills and charismatic personality, complemented by a unique aura that words cannot describe. There’s an inexplicable star power that draws people to Ronda Rousey.
Many attribute this partly to the rare intangible quality certain people are blessed with.
One of the highlights of Rousey’s UFC fights was her signature hairstyle – the pigtailed braids. It became synonymous with armbars and ruthless aggression.
Ronda Rousey’s last MMA fight was a first-round TKO loss against Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 (December 2016). Rousey subsequently performed in the WWE. She’s expected to return to the WWE after the birth of her first child.
