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UFC athletes are at their most unfiltered selves when interviewed right after their fights inside the octagon. Slugging it out for rounds at a time gets the fighters' blood flowing, and in some cases, their balls hot. During such interviews, fighters sometimes announce their future plans to their fans, which often include retirement.
Many UFC octagon interviews have seen fighters call out their rivals in a confrontational manner, say iconic quotes, and make controversial remarks. Watching their favorite UFC fighters win a match and then blow up the mic is perhaps the best feeling for MMA fans.
On that note, let's take a look at five of the most shocking UFC octagon interview moments:
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#5. Khabib Nurmagomedov calls out Conor McGregor at UFC 205
Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted Michael Johnson in round three at UFC 205. During the post-fight octagon interview, 'The Eagle' told Joe Rogan that he had something to say. As the UFC color commentator abided, handing the mic to the Russian MMA legend, Khabib took the opportunity to call out Conor McGregor.
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Apart from challenging the Irishman to a fight, Khabi also insulted McGregor, who was on the same fight card that night. 'The Eagle' mentioned that it would be the easiest fight for him in the UFC lightweight division. Khabib Nurmagomedov was not considered the trash-talking type, but as he called out McGregor in front of thousands of Irish fans, it shocked the MMA community.
Questioning how the Irishman could get a UFC title shot months after losing to Nate Diaz, Khabib said:
"Excuse me guys, I want to say something. I want to stay humble, but I have to talk because your guy (Conor McGregor) talk too much. And you know what interesting I understand how crazy power PR UFC machine. I understand how your guy beginning of the year he tap like chicken, end of the year he fight for title. Crazy!"
Fans' boos filled the whole arena with fans booing, but he had more to say. Shockingly, Khabib then threatened the nation of Ireland by comparing its population with that of Russia. In one of the most iconic and shocking UFC octagon interviews, he said:
"Hey you know guys, this is true this is not trash talking. Irish only 6 million, Russian.. 150 million. I wanna fight with your chicken because this is number one easy fight in lightweight division."
#4. Colby Covington calls Brazilians "filthy animals" at UFC Fight Night 119
Colby Covington went to war with Demian Maia in 2017. After defeating his opponent via decision, he claimed to be the deserving UFC welterweight champion. After the fight, which took place in Sau Paulo, Brazil, 'Chaos' blew up the mic during his UFC octagon interview.
Speaking to Daniel Cormier, Colby Covington went on a fiery rant that caused an uproar in the arena. Covington called out then-reigning champion Tyron Woodley while insulting the Brazilian crowd in one of the most shocking UFC octagon interviews ever. He said:
"Brazil, you’re a dump! All you filthy animals suck. I’ve got one thing to say: Tyron Woodley, I’m coming for you. If you don’t answer the front door, I’m going to knock it in and I’m going to take what’s mine, that welterweight belt!"
#3. Chael Sonnen challenges Anderson Silva to a high-stakes rematch
After defeating Brian Stann at UFC 136, Chael Sonnen gave one of the most shocking UFC octagon interview moments ever. He insulted the reigning UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and challenged him to a rematch. In 2010, Sonnen was submitted by 'The Spider' at UFC 117.
Looking to avenge his loss and get another shot at the UFC middleweight title, Chael Sonnen asked Anderson Silva to up the stakes. As Joe Rogan began to question 'The Bad Guy' about the performance he put up that night, the UFC fighter capitalized on Silva attending the event and said:
"Anderson Silva, you absolutely suck. Super Bowl weekend...the biggest rematch in the history of the sport. I'm calling you out, Silva. It's time to up the stakes. I beat you, you leave the division. I lose, I will leave the UFC forever."
It was one of the most iconic call-outs ever seen, especially considering the stakes that Chael Sonnen set. While the Brazilian did not respond immediately, the two faced each other again a year later. Silva defeated Sonnen, this time via TKO, and another year later, Sonnen was suspended from MMA for failing the third drug test of his career.
Watch Chael Sonnen's post-fight octagon interview below:
#2. Brock Lesnar shoves Daniel Cormier at UFC 226
Daniel Cormier has had some of the craziest moments in the UFC octagon. He has defeated the best athletes in the world and became a two-division champion at 39 years of age. But calling out Brock Lesnar after defeating Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 and getting shoved could be termed the craziest moment of his career.
After defeating the most successful heavyweight champion in the UFC, Stipe Miocic, Daniel Cormier decided to call out the biggest name in sports entertainment. DC said:
"There’s a guy that I have known for a long time. He’s a wrestler, he’s an All American, he’s a former UFC champion. I never thought I’d fight him. But, Brock Lesnar get your ass in here."
Instantly responding to the call-out, Brock Lesnar marched into the UFC octagon and shoved Daniel Cormier. The newly crowned UFC heavyweight champion responded by threatening to knock Lesnar out. With security rushing in to break up the two fighters, Brock Lesnar took to the mic and ridiculed the UFC heavyweight greats. He said:
"Let me tell you something. I have walked into this building and watched heavyweight disasters from the beginning. Ngannou is a piece of sh*t, Miocic is a piece of sh*t. DC I’m coming for you, motherf****r."
Check out Cormier's post-fight interview:
#1. Khabib Nurmagomedov announces retirement at UFC 254
During his active years, Khabib Nurmagomedov cemented his place as one of the greatest lightweights in the history of the UFC. He defeated some of the toughest fighters with relative ease and remained undefeated. He overpowered the competition no matter who he faced, be it Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, or Justin Gaethje.
With more and more fans joining the Khabib Nurmagomedov bandwagon, it seemed that 'The Eagle' would stay at the top for years to come. However, at UFC 254, just three title defenses after becoming the UFC lightweight champion, he announced his retirement.
A few weeks before his fight against Justin Gaethje, Khabib Nurmagomedov lost his father to COVID-19. Having spent his entire professional career under the tutelage of his father, 'The Eagle' was now incomplete. He also promised his mother that he wouldn't fight without the presence of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Therefore, he decided it was time to hang up his gloves.
After defeating Gaethje and letting out his emotions on the octagon floor, Khabib was joined by Jon Anik during the UFC octagon interview. Declaring that it was his last MMA fight, 'The Eagle' said:
"This is my last fight. There’s no way I’m going to be back without my father. I spoke to my mother. She don’t know how I fight without father, but I promised it’s going to be my last fight, and if I give my word, I have to follow it."
Watch the emotional moment below:
