5 UFC fighters who aren't as intimidating as they look

In the wild west of the UFC, sometimes fighters one would least expect end up being far more intimidating than anticipated. However, there are plenty of circumstances where looks aren't deceiving. Even so, these athletes may appear intimidating on the outside, but, inside, are some of the most human and compassionate athletes around.

UFC competition is fraught with mental warfare and tactics outside the cage. Even social media chatter has turned the fight game into a more visceral being. When it comes to intimidation, it's not just about how a fighter looks physically, but about how they carry themselves mentally. As we have seen all too often, even fighters in smaller weight divisions can be intimidating.

Conor McGregor weighing in five years ago

Today, we take a look at some UFC fighters who certainly look the part but, once the exterior is cracked open, appear much less intimidating than initially thought. The phrase 'don't judge a book by its cover' will be all too relevant as we dive into our list.

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#5. UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou is one of the scariest heavyweights competing under the UFC banner. The Cameroonian has an outstanding finishing-rate, having ended sixteen fights without the need for a judge's scorecard. In March 2021, 'The Predator' pried gold from the hands of former two-time heavyweight titleholder Stipe Miocic.

Outside the cage, UFC heavyweight Ngannou is an easy going guy. The heavyweight champion showed his less intimidating side after cornering 170-pound titleholder Kamaru Usman. Ngannou was there to support a friend/teammate during Usman's last fight against UFC star Jorge Masvidal.

After Usman claimed another victim in violent fashion, Francis Ngannou, who was in Usman's corner, was gleaming for his pal. In fact, Ngannou started to agree with Usman's claim of being the pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter in the world. The imposing Ngannou isn't just nice to his teammates and friends though.

Even before capturing a UFC title, Francis Ngannou was a lively presence at the UFC Private Institute in Las Vegas, NV. Throughout his stay, Ngannou's pleasant demeanour showed itself on a number of occasions.

You can spot the baddest man on the planet playing around in the gym and spreading positive vibes. Francis Ngannou likes to keep things light, even before a big fight. The UFC heavyweight champion's humble beginnings are a daily motivation to keep striving for goals he has yet to accomplish.

#4. UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis

Derrick Lewis is one of the more intimidating fighters

UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis makes the list and, given that his nickname is 'The Black Beast', seems like a perfect fit. Known for the dynamite in his hands, Lewis is one of the most intimidating UFC heavyweights on the roster. With twenty knockouts notched on his résumé, his performances in the UFC are some of the scariest.

While Derrick Lewis is imposing, the heavyweight has a funny personality that seems to extend into the depths of social media. Whether it be a victory in the octagon, or just a random day on the internet, Lewis is known to be a witty guy. The No.3-ranked heavyweight exudes fun and is one of the more entertaining fighters outside of competition.

Despite an absolutely terrifying knockout win against Alexander Volkov, Lewis showed a lighter side after fans saw the dark side. Following the dramatic knockout late in round three, it appeared that 'The Black Beast' was overheating after the fact.

Lewis decided to remove his fight kit to allow his boxers a deep breath. In jest, he took to the microphone and declared 'my balls was hot' after his UFC 229 victory. The iconic moment has certainly changed the way many viewed the athlete prior to the viral one-liner. While Lewis appears to be intimidating, he's also a jokester on the inside.

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#3. UFC two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas

Rose Namajunas weighing in before Weili Zhang fight

Given the name 'Thug Rose' for the demeanor she carries into each fight, Namajunas is an intimidating force. With her thousand yard stare, the strawweight has become a UFC enigma. Once she goes to war, it seems a switch flips on in her mind. Whether it's face-offs, weigh-ins or an actual fight, the stoic look Namajunas brings into each contest is scary.

As one of the more intimidating females on the roster, Rose Namajunas' work inside the UFC is well-known. The two-time 115-pound champion made her indelible mark in the sport after earning a round one TKO victory against then-champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk in 2017.

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At the time of their first contest, Jędrzejczyk was favored to win the fight. The power behind Namajunas' strikes elevated her status from a contender into world champion. Before even reaching thirty years of age, Namajunas recaptured the 115-pound strap she lost to Jéssica Andrade against China's Zhang Weili in April.

Namajunas is intimidating in times of battle. However, during the off-season, she channels her inner focus into outdoor activities like gardening. While away from competition, she tends to queitly stick to her plot of land with her partner, former UFC fighter Pat Barry.

#2. UFC interim champion Ciryl Gane

UFC heavyweight giant Ciryl Gane has a scary build and a puzzling fighting style. Specifically, Gane's bouncing attacks are known to be incredibly hard to predict. Similar in some areas to Stephen Thompson's style, Gane is demonstrating techniques not often seen in the heavyweight division.

'Bon Gamin' faced Derrick Lewis for the UFC interim heavyweight title back in August. His intimidating style set the tone early. While criticized for his lack of aggression at times, he put that notion to bed with a scary TKO win against Lewis at UFC 265. While Gane has been on a meanstreak in the UFC octagon, outside of competition, the interim champion is quite easy-going.

Despite his intimidating qualities as a UFC athlete, Ciryl Gane appears to be one of the least imposing fighters outside of competition. The France-born athlete has a passion for playing games like basketball and football.

Ciryl Gane, despite having one of the more intimidating heavyweight builds, is a goofball when he's around his teammates. During his time spent in Las Vegas, NV., it appears 'Bon Gamin' likes to have fun and break the tense moods that fight weeks often bring about in athletes.

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#1. Former UFC champion Robbie Lawler

Robbie Lawler during Rafael dos Anjos fight

Robbie Lawler during his prime was almost like a mythical creature unable to be stopped from damage. With stone-cold staredowns in the center of a blood-soaked canvas, Robbie Lawler was once the most intimidating fighters under the UFC umbrella.

Vintage Lawler violence still exists today, except the former champion has toned down the intensity for the most part. Obviously, when a fight is in the crosshairs for Lawler, then that old 'Ruthless' machine turns back on. Outside of the UFC, Lawler is a laid back guy nowadays.

A few years ago, while holding UFC gold, it almost seemed like an aura was around Lawler and his fighting style. After claiming he would take his opponent's soul, it was clear his intimidation factor was reaching a new level of intensity. With such a storied career in the bank, it seems Lawler's presence is less imposing than it once was.

Lawler's focus on team-oriented goals keeps him from channeling his imposing dark side, unless, of course, he's within the confines of the octagon. As we saw in his UFC 266 rematch against Nick Diaz, his savage tendencies can still come out to play. However, when the contest ran its course, the seemingly possessed Lawler was laid back enough to check on his opponent's health.