MMA's 25 Wildest, Craziest Post-Fight Celebrations

The first moments after a fight are always interesting. I'm no biochemist, but I think all that adrenaline may contain a hint of truth serum. In winning or in losing, the way you act when the fight is still fresh in your mind and in your muscle memory says a lot about who you really are.

If that's really the case, then these 25 guys are bat-crap crazy.

These are the top 25 wildest, craziest, most ridiculous post-fight celebrations in the history of mixed martial arts.

Some happened once, while others became time-honored trademarks. Some are funny; some are villainous. Some are both at the same time. Others are, frankly, a little silly. Still others, as noted, are downright insane.

Regardless, no placid arm-raisings for these guys. They're all in, baby. The results, I believe, are revealing.

25. Rousimar Palhares' Premature Excitement

Wait...what? I have to get down off the cage now?

Yes, I know he hadn't actually won the fight at this point (though he would later), but Palhares' celebration dance—which happened while the fight was still in progress—makes the list because, well, it's a wild and crazy celebration. Three out of four ain't bad.

24. Dan Severn Beasts Out

I wouldn't want to fight that guy. Just in case, you know, there was any ambiguity.

(Photo credit: Cage Potato)

23. Chris Leben's Fist-and-Eyebrow Thing

If someone did this to me on the street, I'd laugh. But when Chris Leben does it—especially after knocking another dude the eff out—it just works.

22. The Din Thomas Shimmy

You really need to see a GIF or a video of this one to make it come alive. There are some things the still photograph simply cannot capture.

21. Nick and Nate Diaz: Party at Our House

Sometimes they curse; sometimes they flip the bird. Sometimes, if they are of a certain mind, they get into a second fight.

But one constant for these two wild and crazy guys is their standing and oft-repeated invitation, usually extended in the post-fight interview, for fans to come train with them. They even give the street address.

Honestly, how can you not like that? Could you ever see Brock Lesnar or Urijah Faber doing that?

20. Troy Mandaloniz Hula Dance

After beating Richie Hightower back in 2007, Troy Mandaloniz celebrated with some kind of bastardized hula dance.

And why—WHY?—are there no normal photos of this? Come on, Internet. You are KILLING me.

19. Karo Parisyan Singing

Karo Parisyan has always been an odd duck, but when he belted out a tune after beating Josh Burkman, it went to another level.

On the bright side, does this look like a guy who's ready for a record deal or what?

(Photo credit: Combat Lifestyle)

18. Ronaldo Souza Does the Crocodile

Classic...he's got the facial expressions and everything.

17. The Josh Barnett/Thiago Silva Throat Slash

Barnett was the first big MMA fighter to do the throat slash, although Thiago Silva may have perfected it. With Barnett, it's funny. With Silva, it's like a legitimate threat.

(Photo credit: Strikeforce.com)

16. Jose Aldo Climbs out of the Cage

His dance with the fans might be the highlight of what has already proven to be a post-fight celebration Hall of Fame-worthy career.

15. King Mo's Sticky Situation

At least the guys who pop the bubbly have the courtesy to do so in a plastic-sheeted locker room.

No such courtesy from Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal—and instead of champagne after besting Mike Whitehead in 2009, Lawal broke out an energy drink, which got the canvas all sticky, costing the king $20,000.

14. BJ Runs Back to the Locker Room

You have to YouTube this one.

After wrecking Caol Uno in a mere 11 seconds at UFC 34, BJ Penn decided to leave on a high note and head for the showers.

He came back later for the official decision. Still funny, though.

13. Jamie Varner's Sleeping Worm

After Jamie Varner's match at UFC 68, which he won by chokeout, he did the chicken dance. Then he feigned sleep by putting his hands under his face. Then he fell down. Then he did the worm. It was like a Whitman's Sampler of bizarre post-fight dancing.

12. Phil Baroni's the Best Eva

After thoroughly rogering Dave Menne at UFC 39, Phil Baroni took to the top of the cage to proclaim himself "the best eva!" and scream "I'm the f***ing man!" over and over again. He did it for so long, and it was so funny, that it became his second nickname.

11. Bas Rutten Does the Splits

One of the most iconic and, eh, unexpected post-fight celebrations in MMA history.

10. Michael Bisping Spits on a Bunch of People

After wrecking Jorge Rivera, Bisping did the only thing he knows how to do: the classy thing.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Michael Bisping needs a sports psychologist.

9. Krazy Horse Flips from the Top of the Cage

I know the back flip is not exactly unique to Charles Bennett, but this one gets my nod for highest degree of difficulty.

8. Tito Ortiz, Gravedigger

Perhaps the classic "staged" post-fight celebration.

7. Chuck Liddell

But if the UFC ever makes a breakfast cereal, this is what will go on the box.

6. Brock Lesnar Loses His Mind

Frank Mir, Dana White, Bud Light, his wife, his own salivary glands—nothing was safe in the moments following Brock Lesnar's monstrous win at UFC 100.

5. BJ Penn's Glove Licking

Gross. And by "gross," I mean "awesome." Or maybe just gross.

Either way, give it up for the only fighter to make this list twice.

4. Shinya Aoki Bird Flip

Shinya Aoki broke Mizuto Hirota's shoulder and then celebrated by flipping off Hirota and then the entire crowd. I'm sure it seemed like the right thing to do at the time.

3. Tank Abbott Mocks Matua

Tank Abbott gets the knockout and then mimics John Matua's seizure. I miss the bad old days sometimes.

2. Mark Coleman's Fall Fail

After winning the Pride Grand Prix, I guess Mark Coleman had a right to do anything he wanted.

But when he took on the ring ropes and lost, well, it was a moment for the ages.

1. Toshimichi Akagi Punches Own Trainer

At Shooto in 2005, Toshimichi Akagi got a little carried away after beating Masaaki Sugawara. I'll let the video tell the story.