MMA: The 10 Most Overused Words and Phrases in MMA

Every sport across the world has a unique set of words to it and even if the words themselves aren't truly unique, they have a connotation that isn't found anywhere else.

The sport of mixed martial arts is no exception to this rule since. As the sport has grown leaps and bounds, a vocabulary of words and phrases has evolved.

Unfortunately, these words and phrases have become so overused that some fans loath them and feel they need to be replaced or retired outright. What are these overused words and phrases? Read to find out!

"Underrated Ground Game"

This phrase was, and still is, used frequently by UFC commentator Joe Rogan (mostly in reference to the grappling skills of Forrest Griffin or even Tito Ortiz).

The phrase has since caught on and now every fighter suddenly has an underrated ground game.

Nevertheless, it's hard to find a way around this one since there aren't that many other ways to get the point across that the fighter is better on the ground than people think.

"Lay and Pray"

Anyone who uses the term "lay and pray" to describe Jon Fitch, or any other such wrestler, proves only their own ignorance and inability to appreciate the mixed aspect of mixed martial arts that includes one of the most effective combat sports known to man: wrestling.

This term is used far too often by fans and its continued use is only a detriment to the sport and to the reputation of wrestlers in MMA everywhere.

"Wall and Stall"

"Wall and stall" is the name given by fans for holding an opponent against the cage and imposing your will on them.

This term is abhorrent for the same reason that "lay and pray" is. Many use this pejorative phrase to describe the fighting style of fighters such as Randy Couture and (sometimes) Rashad Evans as well as other wrestlers.

"Bang" in All of Its Variants ("Banger," "Stand and Bang," Etc.)

This one is more of a pet peeve (as is the next one), but certainly a majority of fans could agree that this term and its variants are way overused by fans, pundits and commentators alike.

Why can't we just say that fighters who prefer to throw strikes do exactly that—prefer to throw strikes. Why does "bang" have to be so prevalent?

"Grind" (in All of Its Variants "Grinder," "Grinding Style," Etc.)

This is another one that is a pet peeve, but it's still very overused. It's sort of used as a kinder term for "lay and pray" (instead of saying "so and so is a 'lay and pray' fighter," people say he is a "grinder" since it usually describes a similar style), so in that sense the term is okay.

Still, it's a bit overdone (especially by Rogan) and, in all honesty, do we need words like "grind" and "bang" when many uneducated people criticize the sport for being homoerotic?

"Virtually Identical"

This oft-repeated phrase is a favorite of UFC commentator Mike Goldberg and is used whenever each fighter's tale of the tape is, well, virtually identical.

There's nothing really annoying with this one other than the fact that Golberg has used it so much. It would be nice to hear a different phrase when the two fighters have a similar tale of the tape.

"World Class"

This phrase is used often by Joe Rogan and, while sometimes it is warranted, it's usually an exaggeration of the fighter's skill(s).

Of course, none of this is to poke fun at Rogan or deride him (or Goldberg either), it's just meant to be a tongue-in-cheek pointing out of things that they both say that maybe they say just a bit too much.

"Greatest of All Time" (GOAT)

"Greatest of all time" (abbreviated simply as GOAT on MMA forums across the Internet) is a term that is used far too often by mixed martial arts fans.

Whenever a UFC champion wins, he is the GOAT. Whenever a UFC champion wins but doesn't look good, some other fighter is the GOAT. The process goes on and on and on until a Bleacher Report writer gets so annoyed that he writes a slideshow about overused terms in MMA.

"Nut Hugger"

The instant you say something positive about a fighter on a forum when the general consensus is negative, you will instantly be branded a "nut hugger" of that fighter.

Do you think Lesnar still has talent and can still be a force in the division? If so, you're a Brock Lesnar "nut hugger!"

The term has expanded beyond its simple roots and now a common insult is: "Get off [fighter's] nuts!"

However, it does have its positive sides. If anyone is foolish enough to brazenly use this term, you probably know to steer clear of them from then on and maybe even put them on your ignore list.

"Pound for Pound"

Chael Sonnen gives the best reasons that anyone has ever given and may ever give for why "pound for pound" is an asinine term and why debates about it should stop. Fast forward to about the three-minute mark to hear the rant.