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UFC light heavyweight newcomer Anton Turkalj's nickname 'The Pleasure Man' definitely ranks among some of the oddest monikers in MMA.
However, the origin of Turkalj's nickname has nothing to do with its obvious sexual innuendo. The 8-1 Swedish prospect once explained that it's important for fighters to entertain fans as MMA is show business.
'The Pleasure Man' believes no one wants to watch the Russian style of wrestling heavy fights. Turkalj said in a previous interview:
"My coach, he's been coaching for 20 years. It took him like fifteen years to realize that MMA is showbiz. So a lot of fighters don't get that you know. If you look at the Brave event, a lot of good fights, a lot of them boring too to watch...Now the Russians, they grapple a lot but that's boring. no one wants to see that."
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While Turkalj's coach may have taught him the importance of a catchy moniker, the 26-year-old doesn't remember how he got his current one. The UFC light heavyweight believes he has picked it up from a Swedish song:
"Actually I don't know how I got my nickname. I was listenting to a song or something with 'Pleasure'. I'm like 'The Pleasure man'. It's Swedish, it's fun too...And everytime I walk into the cage, I have a different nickname. So maybe next time we're gonna have new one."
Catch Anton Turkalj's comments below:
Know all about Anton Turkalj's upcoming fight
Anton Turkalj went on a seven-fight finishing streak on the regional MMA circuit to start his MMA career. It was Turkalj's 13-second KO of Konstantin Soldatov in 2021 that earned 'The Pleasure Man' a DWCS opportunity.
Watch the highlights below:
Turkalj went the distance for the first time in his career against Acacio dos Santos of Brazil to earn his UFC contract in July 2022. The Swedish up-and-comer made his promotional debut against Jailton Almeida at UFC 279 in September, where he suffered his first-career loss.
He is now scheduled to make his sophomore appearance next weekend against undefeated Brazilian debutant Vitor Petrino. Boasting a 7-0 record, 'Icao' has finished six of his opponents, including Rodolfo Bellato, at DWCS in September 2022.
