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The UFC is no stranger to feuds. Often times, disputes and disagreements revolve around fighters for a number of reasons. Sometimes, the competitive fire between two fighters burns too bright and leads to animosity. In other cases, things get personal due to past encounters that rubbed opponents the wrong way.
Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier's entire rivalry was owed to 'Bones' making a bad first impression on 'DC' after jokingly claiming that he could take the former Olympian down. Their issues have spiraled since then up until recently after Jones extended an olive branch to his old rival. Other cases, however, are more severe.
But the most perplexing feuds are the ones no one ever saw coming. These are the ones that have zero chance of ever being settled in the cage. Not only are they perplexing, they're downright bizarre for one reason or another. This list explores five such feuds.
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#5. Conor McGregor vs. Tom Aspinall
Former UFC double champion Conor McGregor is no stranger to Twitter tirades. The Irishman has become infamous for his Tweet and delete formula. He is currently scheduled to face Michael Chandler in an upcoming bout later this year, and the MMA world at large awaits his grand return to the octagon.
One fighter, however, who isn't terribly excited to see the UFC superstar's next fight is surging heavyweight Tom Aspinall. In an interview with Jamal Niaz, the 29-year old expressed his lack of interest in watching the Irishman's return bout before mentioning that there were about 20 other fights he was more interested in.
His comments didn't sit well with McGregor, who took to Twitter to Tweet and delete threats to starve and kill the heavyweight. Meanwhile, Aspinall responded by changing his own contact name on his phone to one of McGregor's bizarre insults.
#4. Ali Abdelaziz vs. Ariel Helwani
Fans have wondered for quite some time as to what is the reason behind the complete absence of Dominance MMA fighters from Ariel Helwani's interviews. It doesn't make much sense given that Ali Abdelaziz is the sport's most successful manager, while Ariel Helwani is the sport's most well-known journalist.
In 2020, the MMA Hour host spoke about having no access to interview Dominance MMA fighters. The two men have had a rocky relationship for a while. In 2018, the pair had an awkward interview, with Abdelaziz trying to paint himself as aloof while Helwani asked progressively tougher questions.
Tensions also brewed due to the popular journalist's complimentary take on Conor McGregor's chances against Khabib Nurmagomedov. After Gilbert Burns was scheduled to face Kamaru Usman, the MMA Hour host instead claimed that the Brazilian didn't deserve a title fight. This was the final straw for Ali Abdelaziz.
The Dominance MMA founder responded to these statements by banning all fighters under his management from any interviews conducted by Helwani. Years later, the ban remains in effect.
#3. Dan Hooker vs. Islam Makhachev
Despite the fact that Dan Hooker and Islam Makhachev are past opponents, there was never any indication of past tensions between them. The future UFC lightweight champion handed 'The Hangman' a dominant loss via first-round submission in one of his finest performances to date.
Afterwards, the pair shook hands and moved along. But in the wake of Alexander Volkanovski's failure to dethrone the Dagestani phenom for UFC lightweight supremacy, the Australian's friend and teammate took to Twitter to make quite a damning accusation.
He claimed that Islam Makhachev illegally used an IV to rehydrate for his bout with 'The Great'. He doubled down on his claim by daring anyone to prove him wrong, which prompted the Makhachev camp to deny the allegations and demand that Hooker be held accountable for his statements due to failing to provide evidence.
#2. Paddy Pimblett and Ariel Helwani
Paddy Pimblett remains one of the most polarizing figures in MMA. Similarly, so does Ariel Helwani. The pair started off on the wrong food after the MMA Hour host tried to book an interview with 'The Baddy'. Allegedly, Pimblett's manager requested that Helwani pay a mandatory fee for the interview.
The request was expectedly rejected and their relationship has only soured since. The UFC's surging lightweight star expressed the full breadth of his animosity towards the ever-popular journalist during a conversation with UFC President Dana White on his YouTube channel.
Due to Helwani's past criticism of the UFC's pay structure, Pimblett took White's side and criticized the journalist for making money off of fighters and the promotion that he frequently slates. He doubled down on his statements by claiming that Helwani has been fired from every job he's ever had.
Despite the damning nature of the claim, it was quickly disproved by Helwani himself. Due to their troubled history, the pair have yet to conduct an interview.
#1. Nate Diaz vs. Jon Anik
Back in 2016, Conor McGregor's initial attempt at making UFC history was delayed after Rafael dos Anjos fractured his foot and was replaced by divisional standout Nate Diaz. At the time, the Irishman was just off the heels of a 13-second knockout win against all-time great José Aldo at UFC 194.
Thus, hardly anyone gave Diaz a chance after he was announced as McGregor's short-notice opponent. One person who doubted Stockton's finest was UFC color commentator Jon Anik, who said that if Nate Diaz emerged victorious, he'd get a 209 tattoo of Stockton's area code.
As a Stockton native and proud fighter, Diaz took great offense to Anik's comments and threatened to slap him. After the 'BMF' claimant stunned the UFC by defeating the Irishman, he warned Anik to get the tattoo in question otherwise he'd physically assault him, with Anik later apologizing for his remarks.
