Shaquille O'Neal, Snoop Dogg, and the Top 10 Celebrity UFC Fans

One of the most exciting parts about attending a live UFC event is seeing the myriad of celebrity fans sprinkled in among the crowd. You can even lean over and ask for an autograph—if you can afford the cageside seats.

Many times, these celebrity fans are there to promote their latest movie and generate buzz.  Others are actually paid to watch, adding to the promotion's marketability.

But a select few are actually devote fans, true followers of the sport.  Some even train in the various arts featured in the Octagon.

Here are the top 10 celebrity fans who truly enjoy every aspect of the sport of MMA.  

Be sure to Like Matt on Facebook or Follow @MattJuulMMA

10. David Spade

For years, Hollywood funny man David Spade has been a mainstay at various UFC events.

In an interview with MMAJacked.com after UFC 79, Spade commented on how he likes the nuances of the sport, how there are a lot more things going on than boxing—a sport that has drawn celebrity fans for over half a century.

Taking a further jab at the sweet science, Spade went so far as to say that boxing is beginning to be eclipsed by MMA.

Clearly versed in the intricacies of the sport, Spade has also buddied up with some of the personalities of the sport, being spotted hanging with the ring girl Arianny Celeste after some events.

Despite being a comedian, he actually takes this sport quite seriously.

9. Paris Hilton

Let's face it, Paris Hilton probably doesn't know the difference between grappling and striking but her presence at many UFC events is for more than just eye candy.

Attracted to the sport due to its growing popularity, she brings some celebrity cred that has invited others stars to come support the sport in person.

Seen seated along side Spade, Mike Tyson and other celebrities at UFC 114, Hilton and these other celebrities came out in force to root on Rampage or Evans.

Hilton has also trained with former UFC lightweight Gabe Ruediger, as seen in the video above(now that's hot!).

Her striking may need a little work, but I'd let her kick my butt any day! 

8. Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg has been running the rap game for years and has taken his sights on taking over MMA.

A partner of the Serious Pimp clothing line—a name apropos for Snoop—he has been growing his connections with the sport's elite.

Snoop Doggy Dogg even won a win bonus from UFC President Dana White, receiving $20,000 from the boss prior to UFC 125 when White lost a bet that his hometown Celtics would beat the Lakers in the NBA Finals last summer.

Showing up to many events, Snoop Dogg has befriended many fighters as well, shown in the video above talking with UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva and former UFC Light-Heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida.

Snoop definitely brings a certain swagger to the crowd when he rolls up to watch the fights. 

7. Glen Davis

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Glen Davis #11 of the Boston Celtics shoots over Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on February 26, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Celtics won 99-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ackno

Glen Davis has done a lot during his short time in the NBA.

A cornerstone of the Boston Celtics' roster, "Big Baby" was an integral part of the team's 2008 championship season.

Davis, along with his former teammate Shaquille O'Neal, took a leap into the MMA world, going beyond just being a fan.

In 2009, Davis began training at Wai Kru MMA in Allston, MA. The 6' 9'' monster trains alongside UFC welterweight John "Doomsday" Howard, learning the craft first hand.

Although not seeking a career in the UFC, Davis has helped promote the sport, working most recently with the promotion at the UFC Fan Expo in Boston last year.

His crossover appeal and knowledge of the sport make him one of the more marketable celebrity fans to non-combat sports viewers.  

6. Michael Clarke Duncan

Academy Award nominee and star in the upcoming Green Lantern film, Michael Clarke Duncan is one the most imposing UFC celebrity fans.

Sporting a cut physique, Duncan is a scary dude—especially considering he is at least a blue belt at the Gracie Academy in Torrence, CA.

Training alongside Married with Children star Ed O'Neill—who's a black belt!—Duncan has maintained a strong presence at UFC events.

A true fan of the sport and a devote practitioner, Duncan jokingly said he would fight any MMA fighter.

I'd believe it too, considering he's studied Muay Thai as well and used to work as a bodyguard for Will Smith.

I'd hate to face this guy in the cage. 

5. Jason Statham

Jason Statham is a straight up bad ass.

All of his movies show him kicking butt and taking names, making his affinity for mixed martial arts quite appropriate.

Best known for his roles in the Transporter, Crank, and Expendables series, Statham is very athletically gifted and trains on his own in MMA.  He's also a big fan of Bas Rutten.

Statham told ESPN.com that he's been watching the UFC since its first event and has been hooked for a long time.

Having a great respect for the sport and its athletes—calling them the "ultimate athletes"—Statham is a true fan of the sport.

If he ever gets sick of pretending to beat people up, he might have another career inside the Octagon.

4. Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson.

What can I say about this boxing legend that hasn't already been said.

Hangover star and former champion, Tyson has taken a great liking to the UFC and mixed martial arts, showing that boxing and MMA can get along.

Visiting the set of The Ultimate Fighter during its 12th season, Tyson aided Team GSP, inspiring fighter Michael Johnson who ended up making it to the finals.

Seen alongside Dana White at many events, Tyson's huge personality has been great for the sport and has attracted many boxing fans who were on the edge of rooting for MMA. 

3. Mandy Moore

Giving her the third spot might be a bit generous, but singer/actress Mandy Moore is surprisingly a big MMA fan.

Called a "UFC groupie" by commentator Joe Rogan, Moore was a mainstay at UFC events before getting married.

There were even rumors of her dating UFC Welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre and hooking up with Dana White—although none of these claims can be verified.

Her biggest contribution to the sport, other than gracing live events with her lovely presence, is a music video tribute to the martial arts.

Featuring UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell, Moore crones that she can break your heart any day.

Despite the song being god awful, it does have some nice fight sequences that show the full spectrum of techniques used in MMA.

2. Kevin James

Who would have thought that the proudly out of shape star of such great cinematic films as "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" and "Grown Ups" is a huge fan of MMA?

A long time UFC fan, James has followed the sport for almost a decade. Seen in the video above training with UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, James featured many MMA fighters in an episode of The King of Queens in 2006.

Now set to star in a yet to be named MMA comedy produced by Sony, we will finally see James enter the Octagon for the first time.

Aside from all the jokes and terrible movies, he's a big MMA fan and huge supporter of the UFC.

1. Shaquille O'Neal

"The Big Aristotle" is by far the biggest celebrity fan of the UFC.

Former NBA superstar and MVP, Shaquille O'Neal is a black belt in Shaq Fu, as well as training in MMA.

Shaq has been a huge supporter of MMA and is being brought on by Dana White to promote the UFC to a wider audience, now that his playing days are over.

A playable character in the latest UFC Undisputed, Shaq will probably never see himself inside the real Octagon, but his presence and huge personality make him one of the best celebrities to bring on to market the sport to outsiders.