5 of the wildest post-fight celebrations in UFC history

#4. Michael Bisping vs. Jorge Rivera – UFC 127

Michael Bisping's wild celebration after his win over Jorge Rivera turned him into a major villain

When Michael Bisping was matched with journeyman Jorge Rivera in the co-headline bout at UFC 127, it felt like a bit of throwaway matchmaking that would allow ‘The Count’ to pick up a routine victory.

Few fans could’ve imagined that Rivera, of all people, would get under Bisping’s skin more than any other opponent. However, ‘El Conquistador’ decided to release a series of music videos onto YouTube, taunting ‘The Count’ and taking shots at his family, while labeling him a “d*ck.”

Bisping was livid coming into the fight and after screaming obscenities at Rivera during the weigh-ins, took his frustrations out on him once the bout began. After hurting him with a clearly illegal knee, ‘The Count’ unloaded on his opponent en route to a second-round stoppage.

However, the UK native clearly wasn’t done there. Still angry with Rivera and his teammates for the videos, he walked over to his foe’s corner, spat on them and then yelled at ‘El Conquistador’ to “go home, loser!”

The celebration was as disrespectful as it was wild. While it clearly gave Bisping some sense of satisfaction, it also earned him a reputation as one of the promotion’s biggest villains, something he never really shook off outside of his home country.

---

#3. B.J. Penn vs. Caol Uno – UFC 34

BJ Penn's wild celebration after beating Caol Uno saw him sprint out of the octagon

Former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion B.J. Penn was always widely known as somewhat of a wild, eccentric fighter who was as unpredictable as he was skilled in the octagon. At one stage, his trademark celebration would see him lick the blood of his opponents off his gloves.

However, for as crazy – and somewhat disgusting – as that celebration was, Penn’s wildest post-fight moment came back in his early days, after his knockout of Caol Uno in late 2001.

At that time, ‘The Prodigy’ had just two professional fights to his name. While he’d breezed past the highly-rated Din Thomas in his second visit to the octagon, Uno, a former title challenger with tons of experience, was expected to test him more than ever before.

So when the Hawaiian avoided a flying kick and then unloaded with a combination, knocking Uno completely unconscious in just 11 seconds, it was hard not to be blown away.

Rather than celebrate inside the octagon, though, Penn decided to go down another route entirely. He exited through the fence and sprinted up the rampway to the backstage area, leaving everyone stunned.

Even veteran commentator Mike Goldberg appeared lost for words for a moment, before uttering the immortal line “B.J. Penn has left the building!” He did so as if the Hawaiian was the UFC’s answer to Elvis Presley.

‘The Prodigy’ eventually returned to the octagon for an interview, but by that stage, he’d written himself firmly into the history books. His wild celebration remains well-remembered more than two decades on.