5 Most Badass Moments in MMA History

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Badass fighters in iconic fights

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a sport that delivers its fair share of ‘Wow!’ moments from time-to-time. Amongst these memorable fights and happenings in our beloved sport, a select few gems stand out.

Top MMA organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Pride FC, Bellator, One FC, RIZIN FF and others never cease to amaze us with their fighters’ incredible performances and insane skill as well as will.

Let’s take a look at some of the ‘Most Badass Moments in MMA History’-


#5 Conor McGregor trolls ‘The Underground King’ Eddie Alvarez

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Conor McGregor with both hands behind his back

After engaging in a pair of entertaining battles with LW veteran Nate Diaz, McGregor faced Alvarez at the historic UFC 205 card in New York. Headlining the promotion’s first New York card at NYC’s iconic Madison Square Garden, ‘Notorious’ came out relaxed and loose; tagging his opponent from weird angles.

McGregor caught his orthodox opponent not once but thrice, with his piston of a left hand, dropping Alvarez three times within the 1st frame of the fight. In the 2nd round ‘Notorious’ placed both his hands behind his back, taunting Alvarez and daring him to strike.

Alvarez didn’t take the bait, not that it made any difference anyway, since the outspoken Irishman decimated Alvarez with a beautiful 4-punch combo right on the button just a few moments later.

‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor dethroned MMA’s ‘Underground King’ in style at Madison Square Garden.

#4 Nate Diaz is not surprised M@%***!******!!!

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Nate Diaz isn’t surprised!!!

Diaz fought McGregor at UFC 196 in March of 2016 and UFC 202 in August of the same year, beating him by submission in the 1st matchup and losing a razor-close majority-Decision to ‘Notorious’ in the rematch. Diaz took the 1st fight on 11 days notice, replacing injured then-LW champion Rafael Dos Anjos, taking on McGregor at UFC 196.

After a close Round 1, with McGregor landing grazing shots on Nate’s scar tissue-riddled facial skin, a bloody and bruised Diaz started the 2nd round as fresh as he’d started the 1st, whereas McGregor seemed to be breathing heavy owing to the large number of unsuccessful Capoeira kicks he had thrown at Diaz.

Nate wore his blood mask with pride and started catching the fading Irishman, landing a perfect 1-2 on his chin. After a dazed McGregor shot in for a half-hearted takedown, Nate immediately sprawled and reversed him, taking his back and submitting him via Rear-Naked Choke in the 2nd round.

In the post-fight Octagon interview with Joe Rogan, Nate Diaz delivered a promo that would give WWE/pro-wrestling superstars like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, a run for their money.

Aye! I’m not surprised Motherf@****s!!!

#3 Nick Diaz lays down in front of Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva

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Nick Diaz in his now infamous beach-side pose

After suffering a horrific leg-break in his rematch against Chris Weidman, the ‘Spider’ returned at UFC 183 in January of 2015, against Nick Diaz in a MW matchup. With Silva being a counter-striker and coming out tentative owing to the aforementioned rehabbed-leg, Nick Diaz mocked him throughout the opening frame of their 5-Round main event matchup.

Nick turned his back to Silva and adjusted his shorts out of his rear, and as if all the trash-talking and taunting weren’t enough, Diaz did the unthinkable. He flat-out lay on the mat, in front of one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time; goading Silva to attack him.

And mind you Nick not only posed, but also stayed in the casual beach-pose, inside the Octagon without a hint of fear or self-doubt; against the ‘Spider’ of all people.

Nick Diaz outdid the King of Showboating, with style.

#2 Fedor’s Randleplex-survival ties with ‘Slampage’

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The ‘Randleplex

In June of 2004, Fedor faced Randleman in the quarter-finals of the Pride Heavyweight World Grand Prix, and survived one of the most hellacious suplexes in the history of MMA. The fight lasted just 1 round (Round 1 in Pride was a 10-minute round as compared to the modern-day 5-minute rounds), with Randleman taking Emelianenko’s back and landing a German Suplex, dropping the Russian legend head-first on the mat. Fedor survived and went on submit Randleman with a Kimura.

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‘Slampage’

In June of 2004, at Pride Critical Countdown, Jackson faced the BJJ-specialist Arona, who caught him in a triangle choke from the guard position. Instead of working his way out of the submission attempt with good technique, ‘Rampage’ muscled through the triangle; lifting his opponent high up in the air and slamming him on to the mat.

Rampage’s powerbomb KO win over Arona is to this date one of the craziest moments in the history of our sport.

Fedor Emelianenko’s miraculous recovery from the ‘Randleplex’ and the ‘Slampage’ powerbomb in Pride FC are 2 of the most badass moments in MMA History.

#1 Lawler-Macdonald post 4th-Round Stare-down ties with Lawler-Condit’s post 5th-Round Simultaneous Fence-Grab

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Lawler-Macdonald’s iconic staredown

Lawler beat Macdonald in a close matchup at UFC 167 in 2013, by split-decision. The rematch took place at UFC 189 in July of 2015 for Lawler’s UFC WW strap. After getting out-boxed by Lawler for the better part of 3 rounds, Macdonald caught him with a right head-kick, rocking him badly and following up with a bevy of punches, kicks, elbows and knees; leaving Lawler bloodied and battered.

Lawler came back strong in a close 4th round at the end of which fight fans got to witness one of the most iconic moments inside the Octagon. After the buzzer went off, signaling the end of the 4th round, Lawler spit a mist of blood on the mat, proceeding to engage Macdonald in a now-iconic stare-down.

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Lawler-Condit’s simultaneous fence-grab

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After Lawler’s legendary fight against Macdonald ‘Ruthless’ defended his UFC strap against Condit at UFC 195 in January of 2016. Condit knocked down Lawler in Round 1 and got knocked down by a ‘Ruthless’ right hook in Round 2.

After a back-and-forth fight in Rounds 3-4, the two MMA gladiators gave us one of the greatest rounds of all time. Lawler trapped his opponent against the fence, tagging him with wide hooks, almost knocking Condit out and turning the lanky standup-specialist into a zombie in the 5th Round.

Somehow Condit survived and kept swinging back at Lawler. ‘Ruthless’ and Condit kept exchanging blows till the last bell sounded and the referee stepped in to stop the fight. It was at this moment that both Lawler and Condit simultaneously placed both hands on the Octagon fence, panting rigorously and utterly spent.

Both the aforementioned fights taking place in Nevada, received a standing ovation from the respective Vegas crowds; thereby cementing the three MMA warriors’ status as all-time greats in the sport of MMA.

5th Round Lawler’s iconic face-offs against Rory Macdonald and Carlos Condit are without a doubt, the most badass moments in the history of MMA.

Be it Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz or Nick Diaz showboating; Fedor and Rampage’s incredible feats of strength; or 5th Round Lawler’s legendary showdowns; these select few moments define our wonderful sport. Keep up with our tradition and write in to me about your favorite ‘Badass MMA Moments’.

Keep training and aim for greatness.

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Edited by Staff Editor