10 of the Most Iconic Fighter Looks in MMA History

Everything, or should we say most things about MMA is authentically unique. Not only that, brutal doesn’t even begin to describe not just the fighting, but the dedication that goes into the training for these athletes. MMA fighters need to be mentally and physically strong. After all, the battle begins once the fight is announced. We wanted to write an article that would take our readers back to a time when MMA fighters had more freedom to style their iconic fighter looks on fight night.

Some fighters, like Connor McGregor, continue to push boundaries. For instance, McGregor’s infamous “fuck you” suit, which he debuted in August 2017 ahead of his fight with Mayweather. It seems a shame that fighters can’t really use their style and personality to intimidate their opponent as much with recent “uniform” sponsorships. After all, most fans would agree that one of the most exciting parts about an MMA fight is watching the battle between the fighters ahead of the first bell?

Over the years we’ve seen some great feuds, like Ortiz and the Iceman, two MMA legends who leveraged their fighting apparel within their rivalry; fire vs ice. It is rare that we see a boring PPV, or at least we didn’t during the early days of UFC. However, in 2014 the UFC signed a “fighters’ uniform,” meaning, fighters were restricted when it came to their fight outfit. Yet, when we think about all the professional fighters that have fought to make MMA the mainstream sport that it is today it seems sad that fighters are restricted in that sense. Fighters use to create their own fighter look without corporate influence. If you’d like to know more about the Renegade era, tell us in the comments. We write our articles for people like you who appreciate the authenticity and discipline of this incredible and brutal sport.

Bumblebee Tap out Shorts, Tighty-Whiteys & Fire vs. Ice: Fight Quality’s Top Ten Fighter Looks

So, yes if it wasn’t for stars like Ortiz who continued to fight illegally and build a larger than life personality they never would have showcased the authentic entertainment of the sport. All MMA fighters strive to provide their fans unforgettable fights. It can be argued fighters don’t really have authentic or unique fighting apparel after the UFC signed the “MMA uniform” deal with Reebok in 2014. So, let’s go back to when fighters had my stylistic freedom. Here’s Fight Quality’s top ten of the most memorable fighter styles in MMA. Now… when we say styles, this time we mean fashion rather than fighting styles.

10. Mirko Cro Cop – The Checked Shorts

Well, starting us off is Mirko’s memorable checked fighting shorts suited his signature move, which was a killer left kick, whilst still showcasing his proud Croatian heritage. When we think of Mirko, the checked shorts are the first thing that comes to mind, which shows why fighters should be allowed to have stylistic control over their fighting outfit.

9. Matt Hughes – Camo Tap Out Trunks

Taking spot number nine with his camo tap out trunks is UFC Hall of Famer, Matt Hughes. Now, Hughes is a perfect example to illustrate what we mean by allowing fighters to showcase their personality through their outfits. Hughes truly is a soldier and MMA veteran, which is why his camo tap out trunks represented his personality and mentality perfectly.

8. Rich Franklin – The Pink & Brown American Fighter Shorts

If we say pink and black all American fighter shorts who comes to mind? Well, for us it is Rich Franklin. At Fight Quality, we think that Franklin is a perfect example to illustrate why fighters should be allowed more freedom to style their fighter look. This former UFC middleweight champion wore his unforgettable pink and brown fighter shorts to fight in all twenty of his UFC matches. More times than a lot of professional MMA fighters ever get to fight.

7. Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone

Now, taking our seventh slot for the most iconic fighter looks is Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. But this fierce MMA fighter is slightly different, because unlike other MMA fighters he has clearly taken his time to create his fighter identity. Cerrone realised he can combine his bull rider career with his fighting career. He is one of the only professional fighters that carefully created an iconic, and authentic, style to establish a memorable fighter brand.

6. Shogun Rua’s tighty-whities

Well, we feel that Shogun Rua’s original fighter attire needs a mention, considering he brazenly wore his tighty-whities back when he was one of the top MMA fighters. Rua, is still fighting and his professional fighting career spans across eighteen years. He’s fought for two of the most well-known fighting organizations, UFC and Bellator. We recommend that you give his Total Elimination fight in 2005, where he wore tighty-whitey fighting shorts with pride (you can find it on YouTube).

5. Brock Lesnar – The Red and Black Death Clutch Shorts

Although Brock Lesnar has had a longer WWE career, we still feel that his iconic Death Clutch Skull fighter shorts need a mention. Lesnar wore these shorts in 2011 for UFC 131 against Junior dos Santos.

4. Connor McGregor – The Infamous “Fuck You” Suit

Well, almost everything Conor McGregor has ever worn either ahead of his fight or on fight night is iconic. McGregor has made our top five iconic MMA fighter looks because he’s one of the only fighters, besides Cerrone, that seems to individualise and customise his fighter style. We couldn’t write an article without mentioning the notorious “Fuck You” suit, which he debuted ahead of his fight with Mayweather in 2017.

3. Anderson Silva – Yellow Bumblebee Shorts

Buzzing in and taking third place is Silva with his Yellow Bumblebee shorts. Now, if this was an article about the top ten MMA fighters, Silva would definitely be a contender for the number one spot. Why? Well, the fact that between 2006-2012 he had sixteen consecutive UFC wins. Most of Silva’s career was ahead of the Reebok uniform deal, so he was able to create his own unique fighter style.

2. Tito Ortiz – Punishment Flame Shorts

Ortiz is coming in a blaze of glory and taking second place for Fight Quality’s top ten iconic fighter looks in MMA history. Ortiz debuted at UFC 13, so he has certainly had time to make his mark and secure his place as an unforgettable MMA hall of famer. When we think of Ortiz during the early days of MMA these shorts come to mind. Not only that, but they were also the perfect opposite to his main rival’s signature look…

1. Chuck Liddell – “The Iceman”

Well, taking first place is Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell, whose persona matched his long time rival Tito Ortiz. We were able to see a war between fire and ice, as Liddell and Ortiz utilised their fighting styles and looks to enhance the entertainment value. So, it was a no-brainer that Ortiz and Liddell have the most iconic fighter looks. The Iceman took our leading spot, considering ice really did beat fire in the Octagon.

Final Word

So, why don’t you tell us what you think? Would you like fighters to put more creativity into their persona’s outside the cage? How much do you think their choice of clothing plays into this? We’d love to know your thoughts. After all, at Fight Quality, we provide unbiased, broad reviews and advice on MMA fighting gear.