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5 of the most controversial figures in the UFC

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5 of the most controversial figures in the UFC

1. In a nutshell, mixed martial arts often stirs up controversy, but it has significantly evolved over time. Today, MMA champions have gained mainstream recognition. However, this wasn’t always the case. During its early years in the 1990s, the sport was widely criticized and marginalized, with critics labeling it as little more than “human cockfighting,” as Senator John McCain famously described it. After numerous efforts to rehabilitate the sport’s image and legitimacy, MMA and particularly the UFC have grown to unprecedented levels, shifting public perception from negative to enthusiastic.

1st Person Perspective (Gamer): As MMA cleaned up its reputation, it wasn’t long before some fighters started making headlines for all the wrong reasons. It seems like there’s no shortage of controversial figures in this sport’s history. Going way back to the early days, you’ve got guys like Joe Son and Gerard Gordeau who were known for their questionable behavior.

5. Ronda Rousey

1. Let’s kick things off with one of UFC and MMA’s most prominent figures ever, Ronda Rousey. It’s hard to believe that Dana White once told a TMZ reporter that women would “never” fight in the UFC. However, Rousey played a significant role in changing White’s perspective on this matter. At the time, Rousey was making her mark in Strikeforce, but when she moved over to the UFC, White fueled her popularity to unprecedented levels. Rousey continued her reign of terror in the Octagon, dispatching opponents swiftly and effortlessly, leading many to believe that “Rowdy” Rousey was invincible. By 2015 (the peak of her popularity), almost everyone knew who she was, thanks to White’s cash cow, Joe Rogan, who was fully aboard the Rousey hype train during commentary.

1. The real debates kicked off when Rousey was cast as a head coach on “The Ultimate Fighter.” Prior to this, Rousey was admired as an all-American Olympian with a competitive spirit and a sweet demeanor. However, her stint on TUF revealed a more aggressive side, as she got into heated arguments with her rival and fellow coach Miesha Tate. Essentially, Ronda seemed to stop playing nice, and her true mean girl persona became increasingly noticeable in each episode. Whether it was due to reality TV editing or not, this shift significantly impacted the public’s perception of Rousey.

As a gamer, I’ve always admired Rousey for her exceptional judo skills that propelled her to the pinnacle of women’s MMA. However, as time progressed, I found myself questioning some decisions she made in the ring, particularly her shift towards striking. It seemed like she was surrounded by yes-men who convinced her that striking was her secret weapon. Unfortunately, this change in strategy resulted in some awkward displays of striking, and while it netted her a few victories initially, it eventually came back to bite her.

After suffering defeats, Rousey’s response negatively impacted her public persona. She retreated from the limelight and made questionable statements about her losses. When Holm defeated her, many believed Rousey had fled, as she stayed out of the public eye for over a year before resurfacing. On The Ellen Show, Rousey insisted she remained unbeaten mentally and didn’t acknowledge Holly’s victory appropriately. During her comeback at UFC 207 against Nunes, Rousey shunned media interactions but still garnered attention, causing controversy in the MMA community. This perceived favoritism from Dana White further fueled criticism towards Rousey. However, her brief return to the octagon ended in a humiliating first-round knockout, leading to her retirement and subsequent move into professional wrestling.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’d say: In the world of MMA, Rousey was undeniably one of the most successful stories, elevating her fame to legendary heights. However, she didn’t escape the shadow of controversies that eventually tarnished her image and made her somewhat unwelcome in the MMA community. Even during her WWE stint, these same controversies dogged her footsteps, hinting at lessons unlearned from her MMA career struggles. Yet, it’s hard to deny the aura of superstardom she radiated at her zenith.

4. Conor McGregor

Let’s explore the remarkable journey of Conor McGregor, one of the most notable newcomers in the UFC scene in 2015. Following his successful stint as a double champion in Cage Warriors, McGregor joined the UFC family in 2013. With a series of impressive wins under his belt, he made his debut on the UFC’s main pay-per-view event against Dustin Poirier. Known for his flamboyant behavior and verbal sparring, McGregor truly showcased his bold, boisterous persona during his bout with “The Diamond” at UFC 178.

For some, particularly his devoted Irish fans, they thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. However, for Poirier, he endured a barrage of critical comments, with other spectators hoping to witness the arrogant Irishman face consequences. Regrettably for them, this didn’t happen as McGregor swiftly knocked out Poirier in the first round. This victory propelled McGregor further into MMA stardom, but debates persisted around him as he ascended to become MMA’s undisputed powerhouse of charisma.

McGregor’s fiery title fight against Jose Aldo involved numerous questionable verbal attacks from McGregor. He aimed insults not just at Aldo but also at the Brazilian people and Aldo’s family, among other jabs. His comments comparing himself to Jesus in a fight didn’t win him any favor with his critics. After securing the 145 title by defeating Jose in only 13 seconds, McGregor was soon embroiled in controversy when the UFC hastily arranged for him to challenge Rafael Dos Anjos for an unwarranted lightweight title shot.

1) Essentially, McGregor was an exceptional performer who had the power to make UFC bend their standard regulations, as McGregor was a significant source of revenue for Dana. However, McGregor had to wait for two additional fights before he could contend for double-champion status. Significantly, he headlined the UFC’s inaugural pay-per-view event at Madison Square Garden, UFC 205. Noteworthy, McGregor managed to clinch the lightweight title, but later moved towards boxing for a high-profile bout against Floyd Mayweather.

The choice to sit out several prime MMA years for McGregor in order to participate in a lucrative boxing match against Mayweather was met with criticism. While McGregor earned a substantial fortune from this bout, fans felt shortchanged as they missed out on two years of his exceptional mixed martial arts performances. Upon returning to the MMA scene, McGregor’s skills appeared to have significantly declined. An infamous moment in MMA history transpired when McGregor attacked the UFC 223 bus housing rival Khabib Nurmagomedov, avenging his former teammate Artem Lobov for an earlier altercation between them.

At UFC 229, McGregor forcefully tossed a dolly at glass windows, leading to both Michael Chiesa and Ray Borg withdrawing from their fights. Consequently, a warrant was issued for McGregor’s capture. Following this incident, a post-fight brawl between McGregor’s team and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s crew ensued, adding fuel to the chaos. Despite the aftermath of the Khabib controversy, McGregor remained in the limelight for unwanted reasons, amassing multiple arrests primarily related to public assaults. One of his most notorious incidents occurred during the summer of 2019 when he unexpectedly attacked an elderly man in a Dublin pub.

1. McGregor, similar to Ronda Rousey, is known as one of the biggest stars in sports within the MMA field. However, his numerous mischievous actions have also earned him a reputation as one of the sport’s most infamous (intentionally using the term “infamous”) bad boys. Whether it was his verbal attacks that crossed unacceptable lines or his constant search for trouble outside the cage, McGregor is indeed an exceptional character within mixed martial arts.

3. Colby Covington 

Similar to Chael Sonnen who preceded him, Colby “Chaos” Covington has become known for pushing boundaries and causing controversy in an even more extreme way. However, this wasn’t always the case for the Californian native. In fact, Covington started his UFC career with a more conventional approach and a modest demeanor.

1. After making his most notorious promo with the words “Brazil, you’re a dump! All you filthy animals suck!”, Covington became an unavoidable topic worldwide, but for all the wrong reasons. Similar to skilled villains in professional wrestling, Covington seemed to embrace the role of the antagonist effortlessly. While some mindful MMA fans could see through the act, Covingon’s verbal attacks extended beyond the persona and targeted anyone, regardless of whether they were alive or dead. Even when he cited selling a fight as his motive, there was an unacceptable line Covington often crossed. He continued to make contentious remarks about deceased coaches like Glenn Robinson from Blackzilians and MMA legend Matt Hughes who suffered brain damage.

When asked about the rumors regarding a past relationship with UFC strawweight fighter Polyana Viana, Covington spoke up, implying that such claims were true. However, Viana quickly shut down these allegations. Regarding my recent controversy, it was my pre-fight trash talk with Leon Edwards that caused quite a stir. I made some harsh comments about his family, specifically his father who was tragically murdered when Leon was only 13. During the fight itself, I talked a big game but didn’t really deliver. Contrary to my usual aggressive fighting style, I played it safe and never fully engaged with Edwards in the octagon.

From my gaming perspective, Covington’s controversial image is mainly shaped by his outspoken political views and trash talk. I, myself, am an avid gamer, but when it comes to Covington, he’s known for being a devoted supporter of Donald Trump and the Republican Party. He proudly showcases these allegiances on-screen, often donning traditional red, white, and blue Americana colors, as well as wearing a MAGA hat regularly.

I’ve always been close to the Trumps (Donald, Donald Jr., and Eric), offering them my unwavering support. However, my comments on topics like Black Lives Matter, LeBron James, and COVID-19 have stirred controversy. Some may question if I’m playing a part or not, but that doesn’t change the fact that I stand among the most contentious figures in MMA history, earning me a place on the MMA’s Mount Rushmore of Controversial Personalities. It seems that as long as it keeps me in the public eye, I’m willing to say or do almost anything.

2. Sean Strickland

1. Let’s talk about it. If you found Covington controversial, wait until you see Sean Strickland in action. While they share some similar viewpoints and personalities, these two individuals surprisingly dislike each other off-stage. Strickland criticizes Covington for his remarks and believes he’s playing a role, but Strickland himself is genuine without any pretense. This assessment of Strickland is widely accepted due to his aggressive and straightforward demeanor.

Strickland is yet another MMA fighter who embodies traditional American values, with a strong connection to nature, guns, and motorcycles. However, his upbringing was far from idyllic; he endured racism and abuse from his father during his formative years. Unaware of any alternative perspective, Strickland held onto these prejudiced beliefs until his involvement in mixed martial arts opened his eyes to a broader worldview.

In the early stages of his MMA journey around the mid-2010s, Strickland was a low-key fighter, much like Covington, in the UFC’s welterweight division. He didn’t stand out significantly. However, following a motorcycle accident that caused him a serious injury, Strickland made a comeback to the UFC and its middleweight division with renewed determination. He amassed five consecutive victories leading up to a title eliminator bout against Alex Pereira for the middleweight title. At the pre-fight press conference before UFC 276, Strickland’s outspoken comments toward champion Israel Adesanya surfaced, as he criticized Adesanya’s relationship with his dog, his fascination with anime, and his fashion choices.

During Pride Month 2022, Strickland made contentious comments about the LGBTQ+ community at various public events such as press conferences and media scrums. He also expressed similar views on social media platform X, which led to a temporary suspension from the site. Before his UFC 297 main event fight against Dricus Du Plessis, Strickland got into a brawl with the crowd at UFC 296, further tarnishing his already questionable public persona.

1. In terms of his opinions about women’s rights, Strickland has a history of making unconventional statements – be it on their suffrage or participation in mixed martial arts. To put it simply, Strickland is an individual with strong, sometimes controversial views, and he doesn’t shy away from expressing them, regardless of the audience. Love him or loathe him, there’s no disputing that his unique personality, shaped by these unconventional views, has made him a memorable figure in MMA, for better or worse.

1. Jon Jones

Absolutely, let me share my perspective as a fan: To begin with, I didn’t specify it earlier, but there’s no denying that Jon “Bones” Jones is undeniably the most contentious figure in MMA today. His rise to infamy was gradual, if not predictable. At first, he was admired as a gifted fighter, teeming with skills that promised greatness in the future. This prediction materialized when Jones outclassed champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 128, securing the 205-pound title.

1. In a flash, “Bones” Jones emerged as an exceptional representative of the sport, earning widespread acclaim for his thrilling combat skills and unwavering commitment. The first instance of Jones’ questionable actions started when he opted out of UFC 151 following the injury-related withdrawal of his opponent, Dan Henderson. This decision to refuse a last-minute bout with Chael Sonnen left Dana White displeased, who openly criticized Jones and coach Greg Jackson for supposedly tanking the pay-per-view event.

As a gamer, I used to idolize Jones, thinking he was invincible in the UFC world. But little did I know that his downfall would be swift and spectacular. It all started when he crossed paths with Daniel Cormier, who ignited a fierce rivalry between us. We went from trading threats of violence to engaging in physical fights at promotional events. But believe me, that was just the tip of the iceberg.

In 2016, when Jones came back, more disputes arose as he tested positive for Performance-Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) during UFC 200’s fight week, causing him to relinquish his main event rematch against Daniel Cormier. As a consequence, Jones faced a one-year suspension, making his comeback in the summer of 2017 to challenge Daniel Cormier once more. This time, Jones emerged victorious with a knockout win at UFC 217, reclaiming the light heavyweight title. Jones’ career appeared to be back on track as he prepared for an epic showdown against Brock Lesnar.

1. It seemed as if Jones was turning over a new leaf, but he kept getting caught for steroid use again, leading to another period of UFC inactivity. In late 2018, Jones went back to the UFC to challenge Alexander Gustafsson for the now-vacant title at 205 pounds. However, more controversy arose during that fight. The Nevada State Athletic Commission refused to let Jones fight in Las Vegas until further investigation, causing the entire UFC 232 pay-per-view event to be moved to Inglewood instead. At the UFC 232 press conference, Jones angrily insulted a journalist who asked him about the picogram, adding fuel to his reputation for controversy.

As a gamer, I can tell you that my in-game character, Jones, had quite a challenging real life. Domestic violence accusations and multiple DUIs and DWIs were just some of the obstacles I had to face. Things took a turn for the worse when I was accused of threatening a female drug-testing agent from Drug Free Sport in March 2024. After being asked for a urine sample as part of the UFC’s new drug testing program, I allegedly made threats against her life instead.

1. Jon Jones’ criminal record is unfortunately extensive, making it nearly impossible to thoroughly review each incident. Given his extraordinary skill in mixed martial arts, it’s deeply regrettable that his immense talent often seems wasted due to irresponsible behavior. As Daniel Cormier eloquently stated, Jones is like a child with unparalleled potential but fails to exercise responsibility, squandering his gifts instead. The astonishing part is, no matter how wild or irrational Jones behaves, there will always be supporters who justify his actions. It appears that the forgiveness for Jones’ misdeeds has no bounds, which could potentially lead to dangerous consequences since he consistently demonstrates reckless and illogical behavior. For these reasons, Jones stands as the epitome of contentious figures in MMA.

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2024-07-30 04:14

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