10 Popular MMA Fighters and their pre-fight rituals

Superstition is something that often crawls its way into the thick of things, despite lacking rationale. The realm of sports is no exception to it. While sportspersons spend years honing their skills, they don't cut back on little pre-game rituals that they believe, might serve as harbingers of luck. From dastardly howls to getting slapped by a sibling right before a match, here are 10 popular MMA fighters and their rituals.

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#1 The “point” by Junior dos Santos

Not someone to mess with

Akin to a silent war cry, Junior dos Santos’ face transforms into a stiff, grim expression which is enough to send shivers down the opponent’s spine. The haunting monstrosity with which Junior dos Santos carries out this pre-bout ritual of his makes it a blood-curdling experience. The origins of the ritual could be attributed to the Nogueira brothers who did it with equal fervour, but whatever it is, it surely is a tacit sign to the opponent that “he’s going down and out”.

#2 “Rampage’s howl”

Rampage going on a rampage

Currently signed to Bellator MMA, Quinton Jackson, aka “Rampage” has quite an outlandish warcry preceding his in-ring exploits. Jackson does an ode to werewolves prior to fighting in the octagon. He tosses back his head and emits shrill werewolf howls which plausibly conveying the impending doom that awaits the opponent... or could it be that Quinton Jackson has sworn allegiance to the Wolfpac?

#3 Clay Guida’s slap frenzy

Guida gets all charged up in a slightly different way

Prior to his fights Clay Guida is repeatedly slapped by his older brother Jason Guida. In a weird display of sibling affection, it is sure that the ritual allows the younger Guida to brace himself for the incoming hits, who claims that he can see stars after every single slap! The technically adept Guida is an offensive fighter for sure, but he deserves equal props for braving the pre-fight ritual!

#4 Rashad Evans and his silent crawl

Evans on the prowl

Rashad “Suga” Evans, the former UFC light heavyweight champion had a typical way of entering the octagon. Akin to a stalker prowling prey, Evans, would make his presence felt in an oddly disquieting manner. He would prefer to crawl into the octagon like a crocodile making small ripples in the pond before launching himself at the opponent. The wrestling proponent enjoyed an initial undefeated run, but barring minor aberrations, he has had a good MMA run overall.

#5 Wanderlei Silva’s handroll stretch

Silva, taking stock of the situation in his own menacing way

Simply by the looks of it, no one in the right minds would want to rub Wanderlei Silva the wrong way. Nicknamed “The Axe Murderer”, the aggressive street brawler has spread his wrath in every mixed martial arts promotion. His pre-fight ritual includes a rudimentary interlaced-finger stretch while intensely surveying his opponent. CM Punk does a watered-down rendition of it!

#6 Ronda Rousey brooding state

Ronda's love for meditation

Far away from the hullabaloo and the frenzy was a brooding Ronda Rousey who used to engage in a more “spiritually fortifying” way of calming her nerves. Before making her way to the octagon, Rousey would observe complete silence in her locker room, wearing her “battle boots” that ensured enough blood was pumped to her toes.

#7 Diego Sanchez's ritual that inspired Daniel Bryan

He would go on and inspire Daniel Bryan

Often there have been instances of elements trickling back and forth between mixed martial arts and professional wrestling. Diego “The Nightmare” Sanchez had the crowd backing him as he would make his way to the octagon hysterically chanting “YES”. This would later go on to inspire Daniel Bryan’s typical way of getting the crowd going!

#8 Jon Jones and his “inebriation”

Drink and fight!

While not exactly a “pre-fight” ritual, Jon Jones, arguably one of the most accomplished fighters in the domain of mixed martial arts admitted to getting plastered a week prior to the fight. Going by his logic, he would rationalize his losses by blaming it on the alcohol and not on his lacunae. Does binging on banned enhancement supplements count too?

#9 T.J. Dillashaw’s excited gig with Bruce Buffer

Buffer and Dillashaw sharing a light pre-fight moment

Now we know how enthusiastic Bruce Buffer is as an announcer. The man’s known for his catchphrases and doing 45 and 90 degree turns before announcing the card. T.J. Dillashaw adds a bit more upthrust to the frenzy by doing his pre-match ritual whenever his name is announced by Buffer. He pumps himself in a Hulk Hogan-esque fashion before chiming in on his introduction.

#10 Josh Thomson’s “no shower days”

Dropping the "stench" bomb

A rather unsanitary practice masquerading as a “pre-fight” ritual is Josh Thomson refusing to shower and bathe in the days leading up to the fight. Thomson nonchalantly passes it off as a superstition. Currently signed to Bellator, Thomson’s non-bathing saga began in 2004 when he beat Hermes Franca at UFC 46… and is still going strong (in terms of odour too)!