UFC 132 Fight Card: Wanderlei Silva & the 25 Most Intense Staredowns on YouTube

After more than a year on the shelf, Wanderlei Silva will return to the Octagon at UFC 132 on July 2nd. With every appearance Silva promises two things, an exciting fight and one of the most intimidating staredowns in the sport.

Silva's opponent at UFC 132, Chris Leben, is one of the few fighters in MMA who can match the intensity of "The Axe Murderer" inside the cage. Therefore, fans should expect nothing less than a slugfest and a fight of the year candidate.

In honor of Silva's fear-inducing gaze, we present you with the 25 most intense MMA staredown videos on YouTube.

25. Felice Herrig vs. Nicdali Rivera-Calonc

Alright, intense probably isn't the first word I'd use to describe this staredown, but there was definitely some blood boiling between Felice Herrig and Nicdali Rivera-Calonc at the XFO 39 weigh-ins.

In addition to being the more intimidating fighter in this staredown, among other things, Herring also had the last laugh when the two finally squared off. Herrig defeated Rivera-Calonc by unanimous decision.

Staredown winner: Herrig

24. Quinton Jackson vs. Ariel Helwani

Leading up to a UFC 130 fight with Matt Hamill, Quinton Jackson was interviewed on Ariel Helwani's The MMA Hour. During the interview, Helwani asked "Rampage" about Muhammed Lawal, which immediately upset Jackson.

At 1:50 in this video, which comes from a later interview with Jackson, Helwani attempted to clear the air, but he apparently used the wrong jargon. Jackson got all up in Helwani's grill, but Helwani kept his cool and kept the interview going.

Staredown winner: Helwani

23. The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar

Prior to joining the UFC, Brock Lesnar had developed a rocky relationship with The Undertaker during his days in professional wrestling.

After Lesnar lost the UFC Heavyweight Championship to Cain Velasquez at UFC 121, The Undertaker was the first to greet Lesnar as he exited the cage.

It was a pitiful attempt by The Undertaker to take advantage of Lesnar after a crushing defeat. Lesnar glared at The Undertaker, but he was the bigger man and walked away without opening his mouth.

Staredown winner: Lesnar

22. Murilo Rua vs. Tony Bonello

In June 2008, Murilo Rua and Tony Bonello met in a fight under the EliteXC banner. During the staredown, Bonello yelled expletives at Rua.

I might have given Bonello the advantage in this staredown for making Rua flinch and blink, but he did nothing to back up his tough talk once the fight started. Rua easily disposed of Bonello in a first-round knockout.

Staredown winner: Rua

21. Heath Herring vs. Yoshihiro Nakao

Since named the "The Kiss of Death" and "The New Year's Eve Kiss" after its explosion on YouTube, this staredown between Heath Herring and Yoshihiro Nakao is likely one of the more well-known staredowns on this entire list.

That being said, it's hard to describe a staredown that includes one fighter kissing another as intense. Still, Herring dropped Nakao with a right hand during the staredown, which I admit is pretty intense.

This staredown was so intense that the fight didn't even end up taking place because of Herring's punch.

Staredown winner: Herring

20. Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort

Prior to UFC 126, Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort engaged in one of the more intense staredowns in UFC history at the event weigh-ins.

Silva takes the staredown win for creativity, but the use of a mask takes away from the intensity of this staredown a little bit.

Of course, Silva went on to win this fight in a devastating front kick knockout.

Staredown winner: Silva

19. Anderson Silva vs. Lee Murray

In a fight for the Cage Rage Middleweight Championship, Anderson Silva met Lee Murray. At the weigh-ins, the two fighters almost began throwing punches before the fight even started.

A fighter whose staredowns are overshadowed only by his skill, Silva clearly got into Murray's head during this near scuffle. Silva went on to win the fight by unanimous decision.

Staredown winner: Silva

18. Michael Bisping vs. Jorge Rivera

There have been plenty of insincere rivalries in MMA history, but there was clearly bad blood between Michael Bisping and Jorge Rivera heading into UFC 127.

The animosity began when Rivera had mocked Bisping through YouTube videos in an attempt to fluster the British middleweight. While Rivera ended up losing the fight, he succeeded in angering Bisping.

Staredown winner: Rivera

17. Don Frye vs. Yoshihiro Takayama

Literally, everything about this entire fight was intense. From the walkouts to the finish, there was not a moment in this fight you'd want your grandmother to see.

Don Frye ended up defeating Yoshihiro Takayama in this brutal war. I'll also give him the edge in the staredown out of fear that he'd make my face look like Takayama's did at the end of this fight if I didn't.

Staredown winner: Frye

16. Hirotaka Yokoi vs. Jerrel Venetiaan

Jerrel Venetiaan is a master of the staredown, but he received a dose of his own medicine in this one. Venetiaan was also involved in another epic staredown against Ricardo Fyeet in 1999, a staredown not available on YouTube.

Against Hirotaka Yokoi, Venetiaan decided he couldn't even wait for both fighters to be called to the center of the ring before getting his stare on. Yokoi rolled right along with it, though, and ended up submitting Venetiaan in the second round.

Staredown winner: Yokoi

15. Quinton Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva (Pride 25)

After defeating Kevin Randleman at Pride 25, Quinton Jackson called out Pride Middleweight Champion Wanderlei Silva, who happened to be sitting ringside at the event.

Silva immediately jumped into the ring to confront Jackson. After a very brief staredown, emotions escalated and Silva shoved Jackson. Don't expect this to be the last time you see these two fighters on this list.

Staredown winner: Silva

14. B.J. Penn vs. Diego Sanchez

At UFC 107, Diego Sanchez got his chance at a long-awaited title shot against UFC Lightweight Champion B.J. Penn. Two of the most intense competitors in the sport, Penn and Sanchez put on their mean faces in an epic staredown at the weigh-in for the event.

It's hard to call either fighter a loser in this staredown. Sanchez's glare showed much more anger, but Penn was clearly not intimidated, as he went on to dominate Sanchez en route to defending his belt.

Staredown winner: Draw

13. Georges St-Pierre vs. BJ Penn

Not only was this rematch between Georges St-Pierre and B.J. Penn a highly anticipated sequel to a controversial fight, but it was a chance for Penn to become the first fighter in UFC history to hold belts at two different weight classes.

You could already cut the tension with a knife, so this intense staredown only raised the expectations for the title fight. Unfortunately, Penn didn't deliver in the cage, but he definitely stood toe-to-toe with St-Pierre in this pre-fight staredown. 

Staredown winner: Draw

12. Wanderlei Silva vs. Keith Jardine

Coming off of three straight losses, Wanderlei clearly hadn't lost his passion heading into his fight with Keith Jardine at UFC 84.

Though looking back at one of the most feared stares in MMA, Jardine remained relatively calm during the referee's instructions. However, that didn't work out for him too well once the fight began, as Silva scored a knockout win in under 40 seconds.

Staredown winner: Draw

11. Matt Hughes vs. Frank Trigg II

Heading into their rematch at UFC 52, UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes and Frank Trigg had built up quite a rivalry with one another.

When the two stared each other down just before it was time to fight, Trigg attempted to get into the head of the normally stone-faced Hughes. Hughes retaliated with a shove and went on to defeat Trigg in one of the great comebacks in UFC history.

Staredown winner: Hughes

10. Ken Shamrock vs. Don Frye

At Pride 19, two of the most adrenaline-filled fighters in the history of MMA, Ken Shamrock and Don Frye, locked horns in a staredown that will be remembered for quite some time.

While Shamrock rarely loses a staredown, he was going toe-to-toe with one of the best in this one, so I have to give the edge to Frye, who went on to win the fight in a split decision.

Staredown winner: Frye

9. Don Frye vs. James Thompson

James Thompson might be equally as intimidating as Don Frye in staredowns if his MMA career wasn't half as impressive. It's kind of hard to take that kind of aggression seriously from a fighter who lost to Kimbo Slice.  

That being said, Thompson was lucky enough to catch "The Predator" toward the tail end of Frye's career in this fight and he earned a technical knockout victory. Still, I'm giving the staredown win to Frye. Even though his physical abilities may have declined, he was still one of the kings of the staredown.

Staredown winner: Frye

8. Wanderlei Silva vs. Kazuyuki Fujita

In 2006, Fedor Emelianenko was forced out of the Pride Openweight Grand Prix due to a hand injury, which gave Wanderlei Silva the opportunity to step in as a replacement.

In the opening round of the tournament, Silva met Kazuyuki Fujita in a bone-chilling staredown. While both fighters proved worthy in the staredown, Silva was the much better fighter and earned a stoppage with soccer kicks.

Staredown winner: Silva

7. Quinton Jackson vs. Rashad Evans

After earning a victory over Keith Jardine at UFC 96, Quinton Jackson was expected to earn a shot at UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans. Evans entered the ring and got into a trash-talking staredown with Jackson.

Oddly enough, the fight didn't come to pass until more than a year later when Evans had already lost the belt. Evans came away with the victory in a unanimous decision. Still, it's never a good idea to get into a trash-talking battle with Jackson. That is a war you will never win.

Staredown winner: Jackson

6. Quinton Jackson vs. Marvin Eastman II

The first loss of Quinton Jackson's career came against Marvin Eastman at KOTC 4. At UFC 67, Jackson had the chance to avenge that loss in his UFC debut.

Before the fight began, the two fighters partook in an extremely intense staring contest. Both fighters tilted their heads the same way and Jackson forced Eastman to make the first move, which gave him the slight edge in this scary staredown.

Jackson also went to win the fight with a second-round knockout.

Staredown winner: Jackson

5. Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva

Chuck Liddell is deserving of a few more inclusions on this list, but unfortunately not many of his staredowns are available on YouTube. Still, he does get a well-earned spot in the top five for this staredown with Wanderlei Silva.

Early on, it looked like you could chalk up another staredown win for Silva, but Liddell sealed the deal with a fadeaway middle finger, which clearly got to Silva. Liddell also came away with a unanimous decision win in the fight at UFC 79.

Staredown winner: Liddell

4. Quinton Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva III

At UFC 92, Quinton Jackson and Wanderlei Silva fought for the third time and Jackson came away with a brutal knockout victory.

However, more importantly, the two best staredown artists in the history of the sport met once again at the event's weigh-ins. This staredown would've likely ended in a draw if Silva hadn't ended it with an over-the-top shove, which Jackson used advantageously to get the crowd going in his favor.

Staredown winner: Jackson

3. Mirko Filipovic vs. Wanderlei Silva I

Watching this staredown really gives an idea of how different the UFC version of Mirko Filipovic has been from the "Cro Cop" who was a human highlight reel with Pride. This level of intensity is no longer present when the Croation steps into the Octagon.

This staredown comes from the first meeting between Filipovic and Wanderlei Silva, which ended in a draw much like this epic staredown.

Staredown winner: Draw

2. Quinton Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva I

In case you aren't keeping track, this is now seven straight staredowns on this list that have included Quinton Jackson or Wanderlei Silva. There is a reason they are considered two of the best in the business.

Of all the times these two fighters have stared each other down, their first meeting was the most intense of them all. The intense staredown was followed by an equally intense finish by Silva.

Staredown winner: Draw

1. Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida

As great as the staredowns between Quinton Jackson and Wanderlei Silva have been, nothing can compare to the intensity that radiated from Diego Sanchez and Clay Guida prior to their fight at The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale.

Sanchez and Guida then proceeded to put on one of the great fights in UFC history. From pre-fight staredown to Sanchez's split decision victory, this fight was intense as it gets.

Staredown winner: Draw

Sean Smith is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, you can follow Sean on Twitter here.