UFC 130: The Five Most Endearing Competitors On The Card

UFC 130 will unfold in mere hours, and the general opinion of the card seems positive.

Fan favorites Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Thiago Alves, Miguel Torres, Brian Stann and Michael McDonald all compete tonight, and it’s hard to deny the allure the event holds with fighters of such stature decorating the bill.

However, just because the aforementioned names carry a special place in the hearts of many fans, that doesn’t necessarily make them all the most endearing fighters to grace the card.

Sit tight while I offer you a look at the five most personable, passionate and endearing fighters to compete at tonight’s UFC 130.

5. Gleison Tibau

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC fighter Gleison Tibau (top) battles with UFC fighter Josh Neer during their Lightweight 'Swing' bout at UFC 104: Machida vs. Shogun at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopalof

Respect is long overdue for this extremely hard worker.

Tibau remains classy, and always fights with his heart. While he doesn’t defeat every opponent he collides with, he’s not one to quit, and he’s constantly looking to improve and appease fans.

If I had to isolate one specific element that helps make Gleison so endearing, it’s his heart, which few in the promotion rival. To fall is common, to pick yourself up repeatedly, undeterred, is something quite noble.

He may never be champion, but Gleison Tibau is a man who fights for fans as much as he does for himself. That’s a trait for which I commend the man.

4. Cole Escovedo

Cole has seen the ups and the downs of this sport. He’s won titles, traveled the globe, suffered a near career-ending staph infection, and through it all, bounced back to perform beyond expectations.

Above and beyond all that, Cole is a legitimate family man, who pushes the celebrity lifestyle aside to be there for the ones closest to his heart.

As a family man myself, that’s a quality I can deeply appreciate. So many fighters find themselves neglecting their loved ones in favor of the “party” lifestyle, that it’s genuinely endearing (to me personally) to find a man who loves his kids more than classless women eager to toss their goodies at any man who steps into a cage.

Kudos to Cole: a real man who’s not afraid to live up to his duties as a father as well as a professional fighter.

3. Roy Nelson

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UNCASVILLE, CT - MAY 16: Roy Nelson (White Trunks) of the Lions Den celebrates after beating Brad Imes of the MilesTech Fighting System during their bout presented by the International Fighting League at the Mohegan Sun Arena May 16, 2008 in Uncasville,

Roy’s a bit of a complex individual. He’s clearly in love with this sport, he clearly has an embraceable persona about him, and to top it all, he’s recently performed wonderfully, despite battling some of the best in the business.

Perhaps what helps contribute to Roy’s likability, is his physique, carefree attitude and grand sense of humor.

It seems “Big Country” never takes himself too seriously outside of the cage; this man has no qualms with poking a little fun at himself, all the while rubbing that rotund belly and running his hands through that priceless mullet.

Inside the cage however, Roy always brings his A-game.

It’s almost impossible to dislike this man.

2. Matt Hamill

The fact that “The Hammer” hasn’t for a moment, let his hearing disability hinder his career aspirations is amazing.

More remarkable however, is the amazingly optimistic attitude this man possesses.

Many disabled people have difficulties functioning in a safe environment; this man dove headfirst into one of the most dangerous sports you can name, and has already found an admirable level of success.

It’s not uncommon to cheer for the underdog, but it becomes an even easier task when the underdog doesn’t consider himself an underdog.

Matt Hamill is all heart, and one of the most endearing figures the sport has ever seen.

1. Brian Stann

Brian has earned a legion of fans, and every single one is right-minded in their following of this true American hero.

A big part of Stann’s appeal comes from his military background. A former Captain of the United States Marine Corps, Stann fought for his country long before fighting for financial gain.

This is a man who has seen more elements of battle than the majority of men can even conceive of, and it’s painted him a profound figure in the contemporary landscape of mixed martial arts.

Some may expect war veterans to carry a bit of a psychological quirk through life, but Stann has proven that wartime doesn’t always equate to sharp-tongued macho men with a few loose screws.

Brian has been, and will likely continue to be an endearing figure, which makes pulling for “All American” that much easier.

Everyone loves a real hero, and Brian Stann is just that.