The UFC is known for its rambunctious fans who aren’t afraid to make their feelings of either hate or love and support known for fighters at each event. One of the best things about the UFC is the fact there are so many villains that fans love to root against, which adds to the tension and drama of the sport. Here are the ten UFC and other MMA fighters in recent years that fans love to root against, if not hate:
10. “Irish” Jake O’Brien-
This UFC wrestling specialist scored a big win over the monstrously talented and dangerous Heath Herring in Herring’s first UFC match after coming over from PRIDE in Japan but he got it by basically “laying and praying,” i.e. taking Herring down and stalling. The UFC recently didn’t renew his contract in part because of his boring fighting style.
9. Nick Diaz-
This lanky jiu-jitsu specialist has long been reviled for his perceived cockiness in the ring.
8. Nate Diaz-
The younger brother of Nick Diaz is disliked because he too has a bit of a cocky attitude, as he recently celebrated while submitting an opponent with his legs. Plus, he was crowned The Ultimate Fighter when he beat Manny Gamburyan via an old problem of a dislocation of Gamburyan’s shoulder cropping up and rendering him unable to defend himself.
7.Andy Wang-
He is a smaller guy that people loved to root for at the start of The Ultimate Fighter but after he broke down in tears and ended up switching teams, fans questioned his heart and loyalty.
6. Chris Leben-
Nicknamed “The Crippler,” Leben seems to show up on every card and is always seen as the agitator because of his aggressive demeanor. Some people are turned off by that.
5. Gabe Ruediger-
Another Ultimate Fighter alum, Ruediger got kicked off the show by UFC president Dana White after he was given every chance to make weight and didn’t do it. He didn’t take things seriously and squandered an opportunity not many people ever get.
4. Phil Baroni-
“The New York Badass” is one of the biggest trash-talkers in the sport. He is a former body-builder-turned-wrestler and boxer who likes to try to intimidate opponents with his talking and aggressiveness as well as cockiness.
3. Josh Koscheck-
This top-notch wrestler has a wild persona and is also pretty cocky compared to many other fighters. Of course fighters have to be somewhat cocky to survive but Koscheck rubs many people the wrong way. He comes off as kind of a punk to some people with his dyed blonde hair and wild attitude.
2. Tito Ortiz-
Ortiz seems like a front-runner to some people because some people think he doesn’t quite back up all the talk. He also is a celebrity-type who is dating porn star Jenna Jameson and he catches flak for that. Overall he is a big talker who has been known to literally run away from an opponent before in the ring during a fight.
1. Tim Sylvia-
The tall, clumsy Sylvia was the champion of the heavyweight division for a long time but people called him boring and he took exception to that. Sylvia is kind of like the San Antonio Spurs of MMA in that many thought he just wasn’t interesting enough to be a champion. He is booed mercilessly at most events and likes to talk a lot as well about his opponents.
