The 10 Greatest Smack Talkers in MMA Today

Earlier this week, I counted down the 10 worst smack talkers in MMA.

Now it's time to count down the best.

What...you don't want to? You scared, homie? Would you rather be making me a steak? I'm actually a little hungry. Medium rare, if you can do it. And then you can go back to your mama's house and get your shine box for me.

These are the 10 fighters most heavily blessed with the gift of gab—and for getting inside the heads of opponents and fans alike.

10. Michael Bisping

The sneering Brit might be ranked even higher if he didn't have skin thinner than wet tissue paper. Dishing it out is only part of the equation when it comes to smack. You have to be able to take it too.

9. Dan Henderson

Hendo doesn't seem to relish the promotional end of the game. But maybe he should. Because he's pretty good at it.

During his time feuding with Dana White, Henderson got off a hilarious blast on the pres, referring to him as a "creepy boxercise instructor" who had a "crush" on him.

Personally, I enjoyed Hendo's time coaching opposite Michael Bisping on The Ultimate Fighter. During an argument over gym time, calm-as-a-stone Hendo told a very miffed Bisping that he thought he had "the option to take the earlier time slot. And now I am exercising that option."

It doesn't read that funny on paper, but it was. Maybe you had to be there.

8. Quinton Jackson

He hasn't seemed overly inspired lately on this front—interviews seem largely comprised of different variations on "I'm gonna whup his ass"—but one of the funniest guys in MMA can still bring his fastball when the mood strikes him, as it did in his highly entertaining smack-off with Rashad Evans.

7. BJ Penn

BJ Penn was in rare form during the run-up to his rematch with Georges St-Pierre, calling GSP every name in the book. An extended feud with Jens Pulver was also highly amusing. Penn's trash talk is a lot like his actual fighting style: When he's motivated, it's pretty tough to beat.

6. Matt Serra

Credit where it's due: Matt Serra knows how to pick a fight—and he doesn't mind taking the fight right to the biggest guy on the playground.

Serra has had entertaining verbal wars with Georges St-Pierre and Matt Hughes, among others. Sure, he may have lost those battles in the cage, but in both cases, he definitely won the battle of the headlines for whatever that's worth.

5. Nick Diaz

The originator of one of the most famous smack lines in MMA—"don't be scared, homie"—is just the tip of the iceberg. Diaz's trash, like the rest of Diaz, has an edge of rage to it that you simply cannot fake.

4. Frank Mir

A thinking man's smack talker, Mir has the perfect combination of brains and cocksureitude to excel in this arena. He certainly worked Brock Lesnar into a lather. Literally.

3. Jason Miller

Who doesn't love the Mayhem and his trash-talking tomfoolery? From Bisping to Nick Diaz to Jake Shields, Miller has engaged in some epic smack wars over the years.

After losing to Bisping, though, he was on the receiving end of a little smack from the head honcho (more on him later). Dana White wondered aloud (does he do any other kind of wondering?) about Miller's future with the organization.

Dear UFC: You would be foolish to cut Mayhem, especially after just one fight. Foolish!

2. Dana White

He's not a fighter, but he can still sling trash with the best of them. Arguably White's best and worst quality as UFC president is that everybody knows exactly where they stand with him at all times. And if that standing is not good, you get a full, unadulterated stream of molten-hot magma straight from the guts of Mount Dana.

1. Chael Sonnen

As if there was ever any doubt...