Nick Diaz and the 25 Most Colorful Fighters in MMA History

Nick Diaz/ Sherdog.com

In the world of mixed martial arts, there is arguably no more enigmatic figure than that of Nick Diaz.

The Stockton fighter is just the right blend of crazy and genius, as the welterweight contender has risen the ranks thanks to his fan-friendly style of fighting, which garnered him Strikeforce gold in 2010.

Now, he resides in the UFC where his popularity has skyrocketed, making him one the most talked about fighters in the sport, thanks to his technical prowess in the cage and his awkward but always hilarious antics outside the Octagon.

Here, we will take a look at some of the most colorful and most coveted characters in the MMA world.

 

Nick Diaz/ Sherdog.com

Jason Miller

A coveted fan favorite, Jason "Mayhem" Miller has a larger-than-life personality.

While he was once regarded as one of the best fighters in the middleweight class, little did we know that Miller honed his skills by beating up 5-year-old boys. 

Chris Leben

Chris Leben/ Scott Petersen for MMAWeekly.com

For this middleweight heavy-hitting ginger, Chris Leben has been one of the more controversial figures in the sport since his immersion on Season 1 of The Ultimate Fighter.

Long before Quinton Jackson, Leben was already smashing doors on public television, whilst busting glass with his bare hands—the real definition of "No Holds Barred."

Tito Ortiz

Tito Ortiz/ Sherdog.com

One of the best self-promoters in the business, Tito Ortiz made his career based on his ability to annihilate lesser competition while talking a whole bunch of smack along the way.

Perhaps his biggest claim to fame was his rivalry with that of Ken Shamrock, whom Ortiz victimized three different times by knockout. 

If only "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" could have brought himself to challenge Dana White in the boxing ring could have Ortiz reached "cult" status. 

Bas Rutten

Is there any better man to help promote a movie than Bas Rutten?

Arguably the most colorful and lovable man in MMA, Rutten has extended his career well past his own illustrious run as a fighter and has become one of the most sought-after analysts and commentators in MMA today.

Now, if only we can get him in a room with a punching bag every time he's on camera..

Junie Browning

If you thought Chris Leben was bad, then you've never taken a gander at the infamous Junie Browning.

A Season 8 veteran of The Ultimate Fighter, Browning quickly drew the ire of the fans and media alike thanks to his rambunctious and violent nature, which saw him attack several housemates while on the show.

His escapades extended past the TUF series, as Browning has since been arrested twice—first after a failed attempt at committing suicide which signaled his release from the UFC and second in Thailand, where a wild manhunt ensued after a bar fight gone wrong. 

Phil Baroni

Nothing says "Bad Ass" more than drinking blood.

So, what happens when you drink Cobra blood in Thailand?

Well, that makes you both parts equally gross and awesome, which is seen here as the "New York Badass" Phil Baroni downs the blood like there's no tomorrow, with Mike Swick and Roger Huerta along for the ride. 

It's one of many endearing qualities of Baroni—his heavy hands and his love for blood. 

Frank Mir

Frank Mir/ Scott Petersen for MMAWeekly.com

Being a dangerous jiu-jitsu specialist is one thing, but being a dangerous jiu-jitsu specialist who has ZERO qualms about breaking bones—now that's just scary.

Frank Mir embodies that "win at all costs" attitude, which was put on display once again in his last outing against rival Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

Their initial outing was mired in controversy as the Brazilian was said to have suffered from lingering injuries which hampered his performance.

The second time around, Nogueira rocked and dropped Mir, who recovered quickly, reversed positions, ended up on top and torqued a tight kimura, to which Mir used as the perfect opportunity to break dude's arm. 

Call it "karma." 

Anderson Silva

As if to be coveted as the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet wasn't enough, Anderson Silva also has a funny side to him.

The enigmatic Brazilian is known for his light-hearted and personable demeanor, which is seen here as Silva makes all in attendance burst in laughter when he does his Royce Gracie impression, among many others. 

Dan Quinn

Remember, Stevia is the cure!

And let's not forget, Dan Quinn was an awesome football star for the University of Notre Dame, and he boasts that he is an incredible fighter with some powerful boxing to boot.

Quinn holds a pedestrian 5-7 record in MMA. 

Diego Sanchez

Have you ever wielded an undying passion to cartwheel and scream "Yes!" but didn't know how to do the two together?

Here, UFC welterweight contender Diego Sanchez shows that nothing is impossible, as he completes this amazing feat right before your very eyes. 

BJ Penn

A fan of his opponent's blood just moments after throttling them, BJ Penn is also a very deep dude.

The manic Hawaiian here recants a story about a sacred plant found in his native land and somehow translates this same story to that of humankind.

Yoda would be proud. 

Matt Serra

Matt "The Past Bowl Terror" Serra has become one of the most inconsistent fighters in the sport, though he's still regarded as a big part of the sport, thanks to his quick-wit humor and charismatic nature. 

Joey Karate

The trained assassin that is Joey Karate is arguably one of the toughest men on the planet, depending on who you ask.

Here, the touted Karate green belt helps breakdown a UFC event headlined by his Brazilian brethren in Anderson Silva. Is Joey explicit and all types of crazy? Absolutely. You've been warned. 

Kazushi Sakuraba

The biggest draw in the early PRIDE days, Kazushi Sakuraba is still regarded as a living legend of the sport and is one of the more recognizable figures to ever come out of Japan.

The confusing but always colorful Sakuraba is a man who is always down for laugh, even if it's at his own expense as he demonstrates here. Never start with Cowboy Killers. 

Minowaman

Minowaman/ Sherdog.com

Japanese superstar Ikuhisa Minowa, better known as "Minowaman," is the only man who can wear red speedos and really pull it off. 

His modus operandi really, though, is his willingness to take on opponents much larger in size, such as Hong Man Choi and fellow behemoth Bob Sapp—whom the much-smaller Minowa deftly submitted inside of the first round. 

Jon Jones

He may not have this large or endearing personality so to speak, but what Jon Jones does wield is a wild array of skills that have catapulted him all the way to the top of the light heavyweight division.

Plus, the dude hunted down a thief the same day as his championship bout against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua last March. Super hero? 

Mirko Cro Cop

A legend of both the K-1 and MMA circuit, Mirko Cro Cop has solidified his legacy thanks to two things: his right and left leg. 

A knockout artist in its truest sense, Cro Cop has garnered some of the most brutal stoppages in the history of the sport. Oh, and he likes to scare the crap out of reporters as well. 

Fedor Emelianenko

What makes Fedor Emelianenko so great is not this grandiose attitude or bravado, but his humility and honesty, which are very rare traits amongst most fighters today.

Here, the Russian great sits down with the Opie and Anthony crew and discusses some pressing matters, to which his stoic demeanor garners high praise and laughs from the guys.  

Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar/ Sherdog.com

Brock Lesnar had the quickest ascension of any fighter to enter into modern-day MMA and the ex-WWE star made the most of it.

His TKO victory over then-champion Randy Couture made Lesnar the UFC's heavyweight king, despite previously holding a 1-1 record in the organization.

Subsequent title defenses against Frank Mir and Shane Carwin were successful, making the heavyweight behemoth the best fighter in his class. 

Quinton Jackson

Anytime you can relieve the stoic expression from Mirko Cro Cop's face, you know you're doing something right.

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson demonstrates here why he is so awesome, scaring female reporters long before Karyn Bryant was even a twinkle in his eye. 

Paul Daley

Many people don't give him the credit he deserves, however, Scott Smith was planking long before it had ever become popular.

Smith can thank the heavy-hitting Brit Paul Daley for that, when the UFC castout sent "Hands of Steel" crashing to the canvas with a counter-left hook. 

Dan Hardy

"(Josh) Koscheck is kind of like a turd that won't flush away."

Well done, sir. 

The Diaz Brothers

Two of the best in their respective weight classes, Nick and Nate Diaz have become two of the most colorful characters in the sport thanks to their unapologetic approach to the fight game, which is chock full of smack talk and middle fingers galore.

It kind of makes you wonder, who's the better fighter between the two?

"That's a stupid question, dude."

Chael Sonnen

To say that Chael Sonnen has disdain for Anderson Silva is putting it mildly.

Here, the Team Quest product talks about his general lack of know-how as far as the entire country of Brazil.

Just how is it possible that these cave-dwelling creatures have the Internet? To Sonnen, it's both a strange and interesting turn of events that have rattled his world to its core.