When Vince McMahon introduced a 6 foot 8’’ Braun Strowman onto the scene after 2015’s SummerSlam event, many groaned in discontentment as they envisioned another ‘big’ strongman, who couldn’t wrestle and was just given a push at McMahon’s giant-loving behest!
Fast forward a year and a half, and Strwoman is proving all his critics wrong, by acting as the perfect heel replete with the ability to fight, entertain and carve out a distinct identity for himself. Kudos also to the WWE creative team for having brewed the perfect platform for Strowman to act as the ideal giant-heel!
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On the other side of the spectrum are UFC’s tough lads, who have tarnished reputations owing to their unlawful ways of doing things, or in other words, the real heels! Here are 5 MMA fighters that are a la Braun Strowman:
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#5 Derrick Lewis
Nicknamed “The Black Beast”, Derrick Lewis has been one of the toughest contenders to don the gloves and fight within the perilous confines of the Octagon. Shaped under the tutelage of the legend George Foreman, Lewis has an impressive 18-4 record to his name, with 16 of the victories coming from knockouts.
Known for his ‘swangin and bangin style of boxing, Derrick Lewis had a tumultuous time growing up, having been involved in street fights. A couple of weeks after he graduated from high school, Lewis was charged with aggravated assault, which resulted in him being placed on probation.
Even his days in Kilgore College were troubled, (despite him bagging a full scholarship for football) as he violated his probation and later received five years in prison, out of which he did three and a half years’ worth of time.
It was only after his release that he was introduced to mixed martial arts by a friend. He would jostle between performing his duties as a tow-truck driver and practicing boxing under the watchful eyes of Foreman, who bestowed upon him the ‘swang and bang’ repertoire.
If Lewis ever decides to switch careers and make his ingress in the WWE, he would be the perfect heel, playing the prisoner!
#4 Jon Jones
Jon Jones is one of the exemplaries when it comes to fighting inside the Octagon. With a stellar 22-1 record to his name, Jones is a two-time former Light Heavyweight Champion and is regarded as one of the greatest fighters to have graced the sport of mixed martial arts.
However, controversies have often marred his dominant prowess in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Jones was indefinitely stripped of his Light Heavyweight title in 2015, after he was involved in a hit-and-run case.
A year later, he was scheduled to face Daniel Cormier in a rematch, which never transpired because Jones tested positive for two banned substances, only a few days prior to UFC 200 (where they were supposed to clash) and is now facing a year’s suspension.
He was stripped of the interim title as well, making him the first fighter to have been stripped of the title on more than one occasion! There are numerous other controversies that have dotted Jones’ MMA career, including allegations of spewing homophobic slurs, testing positive for cocaine and the feud with Cormier leading up to their match, which involved Jones pressing his forehead against Cormier during a staredown!
Phew, Jones is a top-draw heel for sure if he decides to put pen to paper with the WWE in the near future!
#3 Rumble Johnson
Anthony Johnson, better known by his nickname ‘Rumble’, is one of the fiercest competitors in the Ultimate Fighting Championship today. Boasting of an impressive 22-5 record to his name, Rumble Johnson is notorious for his brutal knockout power and formidable presence inside the Octagon.
Johnson is currently the No. 1 Light Heavyweight contender in the official rankings of the UFC and is ranked 2 in the world by ESPN and Sherdog. His record of the most ‘sub-minute’ knockout wins in the UFC (5) lay testimony to the brutality he inflicts on his opponents!
Rumble Johnson’s career, however, hasn’t been controversy-free.
In September 2014, reports surfaced about Johnson being involved in a case of domestic violence against the mother of his two children, to which Johnson claimed to be innocent. Following this, the UFC released a statement that bore the indefinite suspension of Johnson until the case was investigated.
A couple of months later, the UFC lifted Johnson’s ban after the case was dismissed. Reminds you of someone? (Stone Cold Steve Austin)
#2 Chael Sonnen
With a career spanning close to 20 years and over multiple promotions, Chael Sonnen is one of the most dominant forces in mixed martial arts history. Competing in the Light Heavyweight division, Sonnen has 29 wins as opposed to 15 losses, having picked up some of the most impressive victories against some of the toughest opponents.
On the flipside, most of Sonnen’s career was a tug-of-war battle with controversies. Post his UFC 117 loss to Anderson Silva (which was one of the most hyped events), Sonnen was tested positive for highly elevated levels of testosterone.
That, however, was just the tip of the iceberg for Sonnen, who later found himself convicted in a money laundering case in association with a real estate deal he oversaw in his native town of Oregon. This case disqualified him from running for political office.
However, his ultimate fall from grace came when his system was found to contain multiple banned substances such as HGH, hCG and EPO, which he claimed that he used to impregnate his wife! This particular event forced Sonnen into an early retirement in 2013! Sonnen is definitely heel material, despite not being as big and hefty as Brawn Strowman!
#1 Vitor Belfort
Just like The Undertaker, Vitor Belfort is nicknamed ‘The Phenom’ and his blitzkreig inside the Octagon stands as proof to that. He has picked up notable victories over biggies like Michael Bisping, Rich Franklin, Wanderlei Silva, Anthony Johnson to name a few.
However, in 2013, The Phenom was tangled in a massive controversy, after which the UFC began the ouster of performance enhancing drugs from the sport. Approved to employ the controversial yet highly effective testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT), Belfort’s physique began turning behemoth taking on that of The Incredible Hulk and he began knocking people out at will!
TRT was banned as well, resulting in him putting up a lacklustre show against Chris Weidman! A botched-up, drug-infused career makes Vitor Belfort the top pick for the ‘UFC heel’!
Go ahead, tell us which one is your favourite/least favourite heel.
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