The sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is characterised by jacked-up testosterone-fueled fighters slinging heavy leather at one another in an attempt to land that savage knockout or a joint-twisting submission. Combat sports as a whole and MMA, in particular, are dominated by a vast variety of macho personas and intense clashes between said tough guys.
Tense environment, isn’t it?
The age-old tradition that’s time-and-again played a significant but oft-overlooked role in soothing the tense atmosphere created in the midst of professional fisticuffs is the employment of a stable of gorgeous women who grace the ring/cage in-between rounds, serving to remind us that the fight game involves grace as much as it does violence.
The aforementioned beauties serve as a welcome diversion for the viewers given that the fighters spend time in-between rounds spitting out their mouthpieces and getting their cuts stitched besides catching their breath- not a pretty sight so to speak.
This is where our stunners come into play, strutting their well-toned bodies across the canvas and urging fans to stay tuned in. Today, we take a look back at some of MMA’s hottest ring girls and their success stories:
#10 Arianny Celeste
Arianny Celeste is one of the most famous Octagon girls of all time, whose exploits range from her card-carrying duties in the UFC to several high-profile modelling gigs for several international brands.
Born Penelope Lopez-Marquez, the slender beauty of Mexican-Filipino ethnicity has captivated the imagination of MMA fans since her first appearance as an Octagon girl back in 2006.
As a youngster, she participated in cheerleading, dance and gymnastics and would go on to pursue a degree in Fitness Management and Nutrition from the UNLV (University of Nevada Las Vegas). She is bi-lingual and fluent in English and Spanish.
Celeste has appeared on the covers of some of the most coveted magazines in the world such as Playboy, Maxim US, Maxim Korea, Maxim Philippines and UFC Magazine to name a few.
#9 Brittney Palmer
The 29-year old blonde bombshell Brittney Palmer made her debut as a ring girl in the WEC back in 2008. However, her connection with the entertainment industry had been established prior to that, with Palmer playing the lead performer at X Burlesque at The Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Vegas.
She made her debut as an Octagon girl at UFC 125 in 2011 donning her trademark red UFC outfit.
Palmer has been an avid painter and art lover since her childhood, a passion that has seen her work on several projects including artistic depictions of pop icons and musicians of bygone eras.
Her work as a painter has been widely appreciated by art lovers and critics alike, which in turn, has led her to join art school at UCLA in Los Angeles, California. Furthermore, she’s a popular model, singer, dancer and host, being featured on Playboy magazine in a series of saucy photo shoots.
#8 Camila Oliveira
Talk about ring girls and leave out the Brazilian stunners? No way Jose!
One of the most beautiful women to have ever graced the UFC as a ring girl, Camila Oliveira began working with the UFC in 2013 with her first event being Anderson Silva’s UFC 162 matchup against Chris Weidman- an event that Camila shed tears after, due to the Brazilian legend Silva’s title-loss.
The Brazilian beauty is known for her innocence and acts of kindness, owing to her involvement in several social welfare and public-outreach activities. The curvaceous beauty, known to turn heads wherever she goes, has been a model since the age of 16, having worked in TV commercials, runway shows as well as brand endorsements the world over.
#7 Mercedes Terrell
Mercedes Terrell is Bellator’s first official card-girl, making her debut in 2009 in a professional relationship with the organisation that’s still going strong. The Sicilian-Mexican beauty Terrell is wildly popular on social media where the Bellator Queen bee regularly posts about her daily exploits.
The lean-mean fitness machine is constantly on the road, travelling to different states in order to carry out her ring card duties with Bellator, as well as making marquee appearances for Monster Energy Supercross, Moto GP and Superbike races. Terrell is widely regarded as one of the hardest working women in the sports-entertainment industry with several modelling as well as hosting gigs in her kitty.
#6 Chrissy Blair
Chrissy Blair, who formerly worked for Strikeforce, made her Octagon debut in 2013 and has become a staple of the UFC ring-girl stable ever since. The self-confessed American ‘beach babe’ has time and again professed her love for all things related to food and fitness.
Blair is highly ambitious and extremely competitive and while she prefers to maintain an air of secrecy around her dreams, she has stated on several occasions that her desires know no bounds and when it comes to her hunger for success- the sky is the limit.
Besides, how can any of us MMA fans forget the series of comedic errors that was the infamous Lorenzo Fertitta-Chrissy Blair Twitter conversation? It was an intended DM that went public and made Lorenzo the butt of all MMA jokes back in 2015.
Nevertheless, the UFC PR machinery later clarified that the now-former UFC boss’ text to the ‘Beach Babe’ was ‘accidental’. Well, taking a look at Chrissy in her UFC outfit makes you doubt the credibility behind their claim. Don’t be scared shy homie!
#5 Lee Jina
Lee Jina aka Lee Ji Na is a One FC ring girl and wildly popular model in her native of Seoul, South Korea, having won the Maxim Bikini contest that led to her being featured on the popular magazine’s world-renowned spread.
She spends most of her time travelling to different parts of Asia, representing One FC whilst simultaneously working modelling assignments.
Ji Na is a self-confessed tomboy who grew up in the countryside alongside her parents and two brothers. She studied at the Andong National University South Korea, specialising in Accounting, Law and Economics.
She took up a job at Shinhan Bank, which is where a Korean modelling agency discovered her. One thing led to another and the shy beauty is now one of One FC’s top card-girls.
#4 Summer Daniels
After famous Bellator ring girl Jade Bryce’s retirement in 2015, the company was left scrambling for a suitable replacement. Enter, Summer Daniels. The blonde bombshell with washboard abs has captivated MMA fans worldwide not only with her near-perfect features but also her uber-cool attitude.
Daniels has previously appeared on the cover of Hustler and has also worked the ring for marquee pro-boxing matchups such as the Marcos Maidana-Josesito Lopez fight. Her rise to the top of Bellator’s card-girl stable in the past couple of years has been something to behold.
Besides, Summer has big dreams as far as her music career is concerned, with the budding singer/songwriter working really hard to ascend to the next level in the entertainment business.
#3 Eun Jiye
Singapore-based MMA promotion One FC has an incredible stable of ring girls, with one of its top knockouts going by the name Eun Jiye aka Eun Ji Ye. Ji Ye initially trained to be an air hostess, however, was convinced to try her hand at modelling by her sister who is one herself.
Eun eventually signed up with one of Korea’s top modelling agencies and has won hearts with her sweet looks and friendly personality.
Eun Jiye has modelled as the face of several global brands such as Samsung, LG and Lotte at several business expos. Furthermore, she has also worked as a ring-girl at several motocross and car-race events whilst also landing big-time photo shoots with high profile international photographers.
With her One FC ring girl gig alongside her multitude of modelling assignments, Eun Jiye is one of the true success stories in the sports-entertainment business.
#2 Angelica Anderson
Angelica Anderson is Russia’s M-1 Global MMA promotion’s most famous ring girl, renowned for her excellent fitness and insane training regimes, just as much as her stunning looks. Besides, she’s also a professional fitness model who routinely updates her fans with the latest fitness fads coupled with titillating workout videos featuring herself.
For those of you who’ve forgotten, this is the same woman whose MMA debut, as a pro-MMA fighter not a ring-girl, is supposed to be taking place later on this year.
M-1 Global head-honcho Vadim Finkelstein had claimed that the promotion is looking to build a star like Gina Carano for its fan-base, owing to which Angelica’s MMA debut will be carefully planned and executed after they find a suitable lower-level opponent for the Russian beauty.
Seriously, Vadim?
#1 Carly Baker
Carly Baker has been carrying out ring card duties for the UFC since 2013, however, her first brush with the entertainment industry came way back when she was just 14, after winning a modelling competition for teenage magazine ‘Shout’.
Ever since her first contact with the glamour business, Baker hasn’t looked back at all- going from strength to strength.
Before making her debut as a ring girl for the world’s biggest MMA promotion, Baker has toured extensively as part of several music groups, with many of said groups featuring her as the lead singer. She’s also appeared in several TV and mass media commercials such as Guitar Heroes, Singstar- Playstation and Ministry of Sound Big Tunes, among others.
She’s also been featured on the covers of The Sun, Daily Star, Daily Mail, FHM and Nuts among others. Furthermore, Baker has also worked as a professional dancer having appeared in the ITV/Living TV show ‘Dirty Dancing Time of Your Life’ Season 1.
She also boasts co-writing credits in popular songs penned alongside showbiz staples Kasabian and Lucie Silvas. From innocence to strength, our MMA beauties have it all. As always, keep up with our tradition and write to me about your favourite ring girls.
Keep training and for those of you suffering from the Monday-blues or any day at office really- learn from our MMA stunners and stay motivated!
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