Rampage Jackson and the 15 Funniest Stars in MMA History (with Video)

MMA is a serious sport. It requires more discipline and respect than any other sport. Some have reached the pinnacle of the sport while others have perished on the undercards. 

OK, too much drama. 

MMA is a fairly young sport. Around 20 years ago, several promotions formed—most notably Pancrase, Pride and of course the UFC. In these promotions, stars were produced who have gone on to become legends and idols to legions of adoring fans.

However, only a few fighters possessed the ability of being exceptional showmen and entertainers. Stars like Rampage Jackson possessed the ability to make people laugh, and in a sport that is as serious as MMA, that is an important quality to have.

So sit back and take a look at the lighter side of MMA as I present to you the funniest stars in the MMA world.

Honorable Mention: Wanderlei Silva

Although we haven't seen it a lot, apparently the scariest guy in MMA does have a sense of humor.

I'm not sure what was funnier, the prank or Wanderlei laughing. Either way, Wanderlei is a funny guy.

Good luck to anyone who tells him that he isn't funny.

Honorable Mention: Chuck Liddell

Chuck is more known for knocking the stuffing out of his opponents than his comical exploits. Now that he has retired, however, I'm hoping we see more things like this from the Iceman.

Honorable Mention: Anderson Silva

Anderson Silva is possibly the greatest fighter of all time. He is cool, calm, and collected—and he maintains a level of respect and integrity in interviews and press conferences.

But in a fight, we see a completely different Anderson Silva.

Similarly, behind closed doors we see another completely different person.

Honorable Mention: Pat Barry

Pat Barry is relatively new to MMA, but he has made it known that he is a force to be reckoned with. He is a very talented kickboxer, and slowly but surely is making a name for himself under the UFC banner.

He also has a great sense of humor and this video shows just that...and his surprisingly good dance skills.

15. Jorge "El Conquistador" Rivera

Now, Jorge Rivera isn't someone that is renowned for his trash talking. But there was something about Michael Bisping that Rivera didn't like, and this prompted Rivera to release a series of funny videos on YouTube.

These videos did not impress Bisping and, well, we all know what happened when these two met in the octagon.

These videos were pretty funny and Rivera comes in at number 15.

14. Phil "The New York Badass" Baroni

This former bodybuilder is the first person to appear on this list for his comedic trash talking. He isn't a great fighter (he is 14-13 in MMA), but he certainly is one of the most entertaining.

The thing with Baroni is that you can never tell whether he is being serious or not.

Nevertheless, he certainly is a funny character.

13. Tom Lawlor

Tom Lawlor is known for his exaggerated imitations of legends such as Dan Severn, Harold Howard, Art Jimmerson, and even Hulk Hogan. He isn't a very well known fighter, but his entrances and weigh ins are incredibly entertaining.

Lawlor is a true showman and he shows it at one of the funniest weigh ins I've ever seen.

12. Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar is no stranger to the limelight. He became huge star in the WWE and an even bigger star the UFC. 

Lesnar is usually quiet over the periods of time that he is not fighting. But when you put a mic in his hands, Lesnar transforms from a scary guy into a funny but still quite scary guy.

Maybe it was all that time in pro wrestling that helped to develop his mic skills, but he is known for one of the most infamous post fight interviews in history.

11. Forrest Griffin

Forrest Griffin made history with Stephan Bonnar on the finale of TUF 1 when they fought in what is widely believed to be the greatest fight in MMA history. He is known for having great heart and being an incredibly tough opponent. 

Griffin has become one of the most popular fighters ever by putting on a show in and outside of the ring. He has a collection of very funny interviews and has even written highly entertaining books.

10. Joe Rogan

Now, I didn't say that they had to be fighters, did I?

Joe Rogan is a professional comedian, and after several other stints in television shows he decided to become a commentator for the UFC. He has a vast knowledge and understanding of the sport and is a wizard when it comes to giving the play by play details of the fight.

His experience in comedy sometimes shows when he is commentating, as shown in this video of an incident that took place between a round.

(Rogan's rant begins at 30 seconds).

9. Mike Goldberg

Here comes the second and last non-fighter in this list, and that person is Mike Goldberg.

Mike Goldberg is one of those people that is funny no matter what he says. The problem is, he isn't intentionally trying to be funny.His lack of knowledge in MMA makes for hilarious watching.

For example, he stated that Travis Lutter was the Michael Jordan of grappling in MMA...lets just say that Joe Rogan has had to correct him on numerous occasions.

8. Bas Rutten

Bas Rutten is a legend of the sport—he has done it all. He is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion, a former three time Pancrase champion, and a highly talented fighter specializing in many different styles including Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai.

Since retiring from fighting, Bas has gone on to do work in films such as Paul Blart: Mall Cop and even video games such as Grand Theft Auto IV.

Bas is also known for his instructional videos on bar fights and street defense. This legend is loved by millions, and is one of the greatest and funniest fighters ever.

7. Akihiro Gono

The Magic Man comes in at number seven, and he is a skilled boxer and judoka. He has fought and beaten the likes of Hector Lombard and Gegard Mousasi.

He is also known as having some of the most entertaining entrances in MMA...and they make me crack up every time I watch them. 

6. Bob Sapp

Bob Sapp is so big he makes Brock Lesnar look tiny. 

Sapp stands at 6' 4", and weighs in at 330 lbs of pure beastliness. However, behind all that muscle is one of the most charismatic characters you will ever see in MMA. In fact, he was awarded the "Most Charismatic" award by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Sapp has also appeared in the Hollywood blockbuster The Longest Yard alongside Adam Sandler, in which he portrayed an ex con with the mindset of a five year old child. He is now set to star as a major character in the upcoming film, Conan the Barbarian, due for release later this year.

This rap is hilarious. His deep voice makes it even funnier.

5. Charles "Krazy Horse" Bennett

This fighter certainly lives up to his nickname.

The only difference between Bennett and all the other people featured in this list is that Charles Bennett is funny inside and outside of the ring. His antics range from making funny faces to the camera while the referee recites the rules, to climbing and sitting on top of the cage in the middle of fights.

Yeah, he is seriously crazy.

4. Genki Sudo

If you thought that Tom Lawlor had awesome entrances then you've clearly never heard of Genki Sudo.

Genki Sudo is the definition of a showman. Not only is he a very talented fighter—specializing in BJJ—but he is also an actor, musician, and dancer.

His entrances are the stuff of legends.  With elaborate costumes, fireworks, and choreographed dance routines, Genki Sudo, is the undisputed king of entrances.

UFC, take note.

3. Chael Sonnen

The number one pound for pound best trash-talker ever. Period. 

Chael Sonnen is the only man to have come close to beating Anderson Silva in the UFC, before Anderson managed to pull off a phenomenal comeback and submit this motor mouth.

Sonnen is a former NCAA Division 1 Wrestler and he has beaten many of the biggest names in this sport. However, Sonnen has made a name for himself for his hilarious pre-fight and post-fight antics, which include some of the best jawing ever in sports.

2. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson

Rampage Jackson is another true showman of the sport. Like Sapp and Rutten, he has accomplished a lot in fighting and other ventures, such as acting. Rampage starred in The A-Team alongside an all star cast, including Bradley Cooper and Jessica Biel.

Rampage is one of the best trash talkers in the business, and he has become incredibly popular because of his personality and charisma.

From punking Ariel Helwani in interviews, to imitating Chuck Liddell, to dancing in the middle of a street in England, Rampage is truly one of the funniest guys—not just in MMA, but in sports.

1. Jason "Mayhem" Miller

It was a tough decision as to who would be number one on this list. But I decided Mayhem is the funniest person in MMA, ever. Here is why.

Mayhem is your typical classroom clown. From pranks to just making funny faces in interviews, he has a personality that many have come to love and is very popular amongst fans.

Mayhem is also about to expand his ventures into acting. He is set to star in a comedy film with Kevin James about a music teacher who moonlights as a MMA fighter to raise funds for the school's music department.

I for one can not wait to see Mayhem in the upcoming series of The Ultimate Fighter. If Jorge Rivera managed to get under the skin of Bisping with a few tame videos, I can not wait to see how he reacts to a seasoned trash-talker, and one of the funniest personalities in sports.