The 25 Goofiest Personalities in MMA History

In a sport like MMA, where every "team" is an individual, you're bound to attract a lot of, well, individuals.

Furthermore, in a profession whose employees face the threat of bodily harm every time they punch in (pun most certainly intended), you're bound to find a few guys whose elevators don't reach the top floor, if you get my drift. Guys who look to play with an intensity equal to the work. Weirdos, basically, if you take my meaning.

With that in mind, submitted here for your consideration are the top 25 goofiest fighters in MMA history. For some of these guys, the goofiness is unintentional. And for others, it is very intentional.

Regardless, I don't believe being goofy is necessarily a bad thing. In a general sports landscape that seems to value the meaningless soundbite over honest expression, I applaud these guys for flying their freak flag, or realizing you don't have to look and act like John Elway (or whoever) to be a successful athlete.

(Photo credit: Sherdog) 

25. Phil Baroni

With not one but two nicknames (“The New York Badass” and “The Best Eva,” which was conferred on him after an elongated postfight rant), the ripped jeans, the ripped physique and the ever-present shades, the Long Island native always came across like a guy who took a wrong turn on the way to the pro wrestling ring.

24. Clay Guida

The fun-loving, sweat-pouring, fist-swinging, hair-flying, Lebowski-loving free spirit Guida is one of the coolest and one of the goofiest guys in the UFC today. 

23. Dennis Hallman

With one fell swoop of the banana hammock, Hallman earned a permanent spot on this list.

22. Alex "Bruce Leroy" Caceres

The perma-grinning Caceres charmed some and irritated others during his stint on season 12 of The Ultimate Fighter. After dropping to bantamweight, a win over Cole Escovedo likely salvaged his UFC career after he lost two straight at featherweight.

21. Seth Petruzelli

The Kimbo Slayer also goes by the nickname "Silverback," and apparently enjoys imitating one. Albeit one that combs pink streaks into its fur. I believe those are native to Southern California.

But the animal impressions don't stop there. He also does a mean dog. And to drag out the theme even further, he also eats a mean hot dog.

20. Charles "Krazy Horse" Bennett

Anyone remember Bumfights?

I never had the good fortune to come across one of their fine, fine videos myself, but I wouldn’t be surprised to learn Krazy Horse was the breakout star of that little venture. Maybe he's like the Hector Lombard of Bumfights.

19. Rocky Batastini

Big Sexy here is the proud owner of an 8-22 MMA record. Smooooth.

18. Tim Sylvia

Tall and gawky, slightly doughy, moves and fights awkwardly, outsized braggadocio, sports a mohawk and designer facial hair and rocks a bunch of tribal tattoos, which are clearly designed to reflect his family heritage.

When it comes to goofiness, Tim Sylvia has a lot of weapons.

17. John Dodson

After winning the latest season of TUF, the diminutive slugger with the Chucky giggle is No. 17 with a bullet.

16. Tom Lawlor

Given that he doubles as one of the most entertaining fighters in the UFC today, I’d say this goofy persona is largely self-created.

When you dress up like Dan Severn at weigh-ins and walk out to Hulk Hogan’s theme song (not to mention walking Seth Petruzelli to the cage like a dog), you’re kind of opening yourself up to this.

15. Diego Sanchez

The uber-intense Sanchez is a huge Tony Robbins fan, and likes to shout "YES!" on his way to the cage. Over and over again. It's really funny to watch, unless you have a seat along the walkout aisle. Then you're just covered in spittle.

14. Kimo Leopoldo

A devout Christian in the same way Donald Trump is a devout capitalist, Kimo once carried a cross to the cage.

Observers later noted that this really helped the UFC gain acceptance in the mainstream, where cross carrying is common and seen as a signal of stability and integrity. Why, just look where it landed Kimo protege Joe Son.

13. Eric "Butterbean" Esch

Generally known more as a boxer, Butterbean posted a downright decent 17-8-1 MMA record. He has a notable win over James Thompson.

Not only that, but at age 44 he’s still going at it; he last fought in May. I can’t say I’ve ever seen one of his fights live, but here’s guessing he has solid takedown defense.

12. Ross Clifton

Santa Claus's ne'er-do-well son hit the high note of his career when he lost to Ken Shamrock in 2009.

11. Jason "Mayhem" Miller

Known as much for his clothes, interviews and offbeat personality as for his fighting abilities, Mayhem recently returned to the UFC (albeit unsuccessfully) against Michael Bisping.

Though the UFC has indicated they are not sure about Miller's future with the promotion following the loss, here's hoping they retain one of the sport's most interesting, charismatic and, yes, goofy personalities.

10. Roy Nelson

I'm one of those people who thinks "Big Country" should get more love for being a really good fighter. But I also admit he brings a lot of goofiness to the table, and does so very deliberately.

And it's more than just the weight, though that is part of it. It’s also the mullet, the long homeless man's beard, the VERY entertaining interviews, the entrance song (Weird Al Yankovic’s “Fat”) and just the fact that he seems to march to the beat of his own drum. That, in my opinion, is an admirable and not particularly easy accomplishment in and of itself.

After defeating Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 137, Nelson ditched the mullet and beard. Is he turning over a new leaf? Doubt it. It will be interesting to see how he surfaces for his next fight. 

9. Dave "Pee Wee" Herman

Oh, I get it!  Pee wee. Because his last name is...right.

But the winner for goofiest nickname also says and does some pretty goofy things on a regular basis, such as smiling vaguely during actual fighting action like an inmate left in solitary too long. 

And now there's this whole drug test thing. First it's positive, then it's some kind of mix-up, now he's apparently exonerated. Maybe not his fault, but still goofy. That type of thing never happens to Kobe Bryant. 

8. Emmanuel Yarborough

How do you even get to weigh 800 pounds? I'll tell you how...you've got to want it. 

Yarbrough is a sumo wrestler and former football player, in addition to having a 1-2 MMA career. His only MMA win is listed as a submission by smother. Sounds about right.

And now I just need to know what that guy in the blue shirt is thinking.

7. Ikuhisa Minowa

Minowaman!

In my mind, he's the ultimate Japanese MMA fighter, which is to say, there's a little pro wrestling and a lot of quirk in Minowaman's game.

He's also known for fighting guys waaay out of his weight class, one of which was a certain Butterbean, who appears earlier on this list.

6. Brian Ebersole

Ebersole made his UFC debut with a bang, unleashing two cartwheel kicks and this little gem of a chest hair grooming trend, now known as "the hairrow" (apparently so opponents know where to find his chin).

And the Ebersole train just keeps on rolling. He shaved a certain sponsor's name into his chest hair for UFC 140 (a stroke of brilliance, if you ask me), then moved to 3-0 in the Octagon with a decision win over Claude Patrick.

5. Akihiro Gono

The Pablo Picasso of MMA walkouts has goofiness in spades.

And, as evidenced by the fact that he wore a freaking cocktail dress to this third match in the UFC (against Jon Fitch, no less), he also has a special brand of guts as well. 

4. Wesley "Cabbage" Correira

Cabbage looks a little like that sketchy, if lethargic, patron at the other end of the bar. In MMA, he's known for having a very large, very hard head that he likes to paint lots of different colors.

Plus, his nickname is Cabbage.

Cabbage's best offense in the cage was a good defense. But it wasn't any specific defensive "skill set," per se. You can't put Cabbage in a box like that. No, he just wanted to use that prodigious cranium of his to absorb nearly superhuman abuse.

Fun factoid: the only man to ever knock Cabbage out in 36 professional fights? A Mr. Tank Abbott. 

3. Hong Man Choi

Watching the 7'2" giant lumber around the ring, and dwarfing the pretty darn large men that are his opponents, is about as goofy as it gets.

But he misses out on the silver and gold goofiness medals for bringing some relatively solid and smooth-for-a-guy-that-size technique into the cage with him.

I do wonder about the blue hair, though. He must have done it because he didn't feel he was attracting enough attention. 

2. Paulo Cesar "Giant" Silva

Anybody want a peanut?

The 7'2", 400-pound Silva went 2-6 in his MMA career, with both victories coming by way of kimura. I'm no Rickson Gracie, but my guess is that would cause discomfort.

1. Paul "Hungry Bear" Vasquez

Remember that guy who filmed a double rainbow and got so captivated by it that he started crying? And not just crying but, like, weeping? Copiously? And the YouTube video (embedded here) now has almost 32 MILLION views?

Say hello to Paul "Hungry Bear" Vasquez.

Vasquez, who lives near Yosemite National Park, took up cage fighting to lose weight. Apparently he became good enough at it to go pro, at least for a little while. And by "a little while," I mean one fight. Back in 2005, he lost by first-round submission to No. 12 Goofiest Fighter Ross Clifton.

What does it mean?  

It means we have a champion. All the way. Give some respect to the king. He is intense.