Nicknames and fighters have always gone together, with the best ones becoming more well known that the fighters actual names; like ‘Money’ Mayweather or ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. Some people go as intimidating as possible with their nicknames, some are boastful, a fair few are funny and quite a lot are terrible. Here at Fight Quality we’ve put together a list of our favourite badass fighter nicknames for you to enjoy:
Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson
Everyone knows Rampage Jackson and his nickname instantly brings up images of vikings pillaging small villages. Also, as a rule, your nickname is pretty good if no one actually calls you by your first name.
‘Iron’ Mike Tyson
For one of the greatest boxers of all time you’d almost expect a flashy nickname, but in reality Iron Mike didn’t need it. In the same way his walkouts were simple and he always wore black shorts, he didn’t have to have a fancy nickname, just the chance to lay hands on you.
Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson
Rumble Johnson fits in the exact same category as Rampage Jackson – I don’t know many people who call him Anthony. In fact most people just call him Rumble. It’s a nickname that is literally all about fighting, and it suits the powerhouse perfectly.
Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley
Daley is a former member of the British army, serving as a reconnaissance driver in the Household Cavalry. His nickname comes from a type of plastic explosive used by the military, and is more than likely based on the insane power he’s got in his hands.
Ronaldo ‘Jacaré’ Souza
How good is your Portuguese? If you’re pretty good at it, or I guess just really into nature documentaries, you might know that jacaré is a type of Caiman, similar to a crocodile. This is possibly the most accurate nickname I can think of, as when the multi-time BJJ world champ gets hold of his opponents it must feel very similar to being grabbed by a crocodile.
Wanderlei ‘The Axe Murderer’ Silva
I mean does this one really need an explanation? Wanderlei looks like an Axe Murderer. And fighting him would be like fighting someone swinging an axe. Presumably this one didn’t take much thought to come up with.
Kazushi ‘The Gracie Hunter’ Sakuraba
If you’re a die hard UFC fan, or have even a tiny amount of knowledge of BJJ, then you’ve heard of the Gracies – arguably the single most influential family in the history of martial arts. Sakuraba made his nickname a public declaration that he was coming after the whole family. That’s some old school vendetta shit.
Roberto ‘Hands of Stone’ Duran
Roberto Duran was a spectacular boxer to see in the ring (we’ve previously reviewed the pretty awesome biopic film about him) and the power and ferocity he brought to the ring more than earns him the Hands of Stone nickname.
Brad ‘One Punch’ Pickett
Brad Pickett is a legendary British fighter, with his 39 fight career (and distinctive hat) making him a fan favourite in the UFC. While his entrance was always quite extravagant, his nickname was classic and simple. All he needs is One Punch.
Chuck ‘The Iceman’ Liddell
Chuck Liddell (ignoring that most recent fight) was a monster in the cage, and was the poster boy for intimidating UFC fighters. The mohawk, the head tattoos, the attitude, it was all badass. He had a serial killers look, and a suitable serial killer nickname.
Any nicknames we’ve missed out? Let us know in the comments!