Strikeforce Results: Josh Barnett and the 15 Best Showmen in MMA Today

Mixed martial arts has always been a sport full of interesting and entertaining showmen. Last night in Strikeforce’s Overeem vs. Werdum fight card, we got a chance to see one of those personalities shine when one of the sport’s all-time legends, Josh Barnett, defeated Brett Rogers in the quarterfinals of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament.

Barnett owned the fight from the opening bell to the final stoppage, but it was his antics after the fight that may be remembered most by some fans.

While most fighters just stand in the cage after their fights and uncomfortably respond to usually-pointless questions from the person interviewing them, Josh Barnett snatched the microphone from Gus Johnson and began to cut a pro wrestling-like promo.

It was an entertaining finish to an already impressive performance in the cage for the “Baby-faced Assassin.”

But Barnett isn’t alone as being one of the best showmen in the sport. Here are 15 of the best showmen in mixed martial arts today.

15. Forrest Griffin

The winner of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter has long been known as one of MMA’s best personalities. Whether it’s his sometimes chaotic fighting style or his hilarious interviews both going into and following fights, it’s hard not to love Forrest Griffin.

Even Griffin’s two books, “Got Fight?: The 50 Zen Principles of Hand-to-Face Combat” and “Be Ready When Sh*t Goes Down: A Survival Guide to the Apocalypse” are hilarious.

Some people think he's a bit obnoxious and over the top, but most fans have fun with their MMA and really like Forrest Griffin.

14. Kimbo Slice

I almost debated not putting Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson on the list at all given that his MMA career sounds like it is pretty much over. But then again, it’s hard to ever really know what this maniac is going to do next.

Slice isn’t the most well-spoken fighter on this list, but Slice’s in-cage style of nonstop aggressiveness and huge punches is exactly what new MMA fans are looking for.

Of course, his chest hair and head hair style are always an entertaining part to his persona as well.

13. Urijah Faber

“The California Kid” knows how to play to a crowd like perhaps no other 145-pound fighter to have ever come before him. His entrance to “California Love” by Tupac is always a great way to get the fans on their feet and, of course, his fighting style is among the most exciting in the sport.

It also helps that he has some of the most ridiculous videos available on YouTube, including this one where he teaches “The Korean Zombie” some “proper English.”

12. Tom Lawlor

Some fans may not be as familiar with this UFC undercard regular, but “Filthy” Tom Lawlor is absolutely one of the biggest showmen in the entire sport.

Whether it’s his impersonation of Dan Severn in a memorable weigh-in or any number of hilarious entrances he has had, Lawlor truly embodies the spirit of everything that one would look for in an entertaining MMA fighter.

11. Ikuhisa Minowa

Like Bas Rutten years ago, “Minowaman” is known for rocking red boots, sometimes knee high, and matching red underwear. He is also respected for his insistence on fighting against opponents who were sometimes much larger than him, and winning quite a few of those fights. He even defeated the 7’2”, 319 pound Hong Man Choi.

He often was draped with a Japanese flag on his way to the ring, which helped him gain love in the Japanese promotions he fought in.

Of course, his entertainment value was also helped by the fact that he is now a professional wrestler in the Inoki Genome Federation.

10. “King Mo” Lawal

Muhammed Lawal is a former NCAA Division II national champion from 2002 and used that pedigree to become a Strikeforce light heavyweight champion.

But it’s his showboating personality that has helped make him famous in the sport.

Embracing his nickname of “King Mo,” Lawal wears a crown and cape while dancing his way to the cage before pummeling just about every opponent he has ever faced.

9. Akihiro Gono

If you have not had the pleasure of seeing an entrance by Akihiro Gono, do yourself a favor and click the play button on this video.

Gono is an MMA fighter, but it truly feels like he believes he is primarily a showman. It’s almost as if he would rather have fans talk about his entrances than his fighting skills.

If he could put the two together on a consistent basis, he would be higher on this list.

8. Brock Lesnar

As a former pro wrestler, Brock Lesnar has “showman” flowing through his veins.

Lesnar is so much of a showman, in fact, that he was already one of the UFC’s biggest draws before he had ever even fought for the promotion. The day he debuted against Frank Mir will go down as one of the most memorable moments in the sport’s history.

Lesnar’s recent appearance as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter only helped further his status as one of the best entertainers in MMA.

7. Anthony “Showtime” Pettis

The 24-year old Anthony Pettis is still learning how to communicate with the media and fans, but his performances in the cage are absolutely unbelievable.

As a tae-kwon-do expert, Pettis has innovated countless crazy attacks that look like they should be in a Jackie Chan movie, versus a mixed martial arts contest. But somehow, he has used them effectively.

The “Showtime Kick” may be the single craziest highlight in the history of MMA.

6. Tito Ortiz

When the UFC was in its darkest days, trying to grow out of the perception that it was just “human cockfighting,” it was Tito Ortiz who carried the banner for mixed martial arts into the 21st century.

Ortiz created the “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” persona that essentially made him MMA’s version of a pro wrestling “heel.” Though he built a loyal legion of fans, there wasn’t a fighter who fans loved to hate more than Ortiz.

Not only did Ortiz’s personality define “showman,” but his entrances are among the best in UFC history.

5. Josh Barnett

The reason this list was created. Not only is Josh Barnett one of the most skilled heavyweights in the sport, he is also one of the best entertainers.

As a pro wrestling fan at heart, Barnett is known for his ability to cut promos like Dusty Rhodes and even apply figure four leg locks in “exhibition” matches like Ric Flair. He has also participated in New Japan Pro Wrestling as well as the Inoki Genome Federation.

He doesn’t look like he’d be much of a personality on the surface, but Barnett is always entertaining whether he’s in-cage or out.

4. Jon “Bones” Jones

At 23-years old, Jon “Bones” Jones is the youngest fighter on this list, but he is already one of the biggest showmen in the sport.

His situation is particularly weird because it seems like most of the fans think that Jon Jones is a very humble, calm and cool fighter, while the other half see him as being completely obnoxious, cocky and outrageous.

He doesn’t have an elaborate entrance and he doesn’t talk a lot of smack, but Jones’ work inside the cage has to be one of the most innovative styles that has ever come from a 205 pound fighter.

3. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will be fighting Jon Jones later this year in what should be one of the most entertaining clashes of personalities we have seen in the light heavyweight division in quite some time.

Perhaps best known for his trademark chain around the neck as he walks to the cage, Jackson is a former UFC light heavyweight champion and is the only person to have ever defeated the Chuck Liddell twice.

In addition to his in-cage dominance which regularly included slams and pro wrestling-like powerbombs, Jackson also has one of the most entertaining and unique personalities in the sport. His interviews with various female MMA journalists are legendary.

2. Jason “Mayhem” Miller

While ridiculous entrances have been a staple of Japanese mixed martial arts for quite some time, it has been Jason “Mayhem” Miller who has helped bring the trend to America. His choreographed dances are always something to look forward to.

But it’s not only his entrances that have helped make this middleweight into one of the most famous non-UFC fighters in the world. Of course, now that he is in the UFC, his popularity will only continue to rise.

... And don’t forget about that hair!

Next season of The Ultimate Fighter is going to be awesome.

1. Kazushi Sakuraba

And now for the man we’ve all been waiting for, the originator of MMA entertainment, Kazushi Sakuraba!

If you didn’t see this one coming, it’s probably because you’re not a fan of Japanese mixed martial arts. Or you have no soul. One or the other, there is no other explanation.

His best days may be behind him, but simply put, Kazushi Sakuraba is the man. His entrances and his in-ring style are the craziest things ever seen in the sport.

Sakuraba defines "showman" in every possible way.