The UFC has seen truly memorable moments over the years, but it is what happens after punches stop flying that often steals the show.
Fighters sometimes get lost in their post-fight delight on the mic and have delivered truly epic speeches talkSPORT just had to highlight ahead of the UFC 286 London event.
7
Leon Edwards
The usually mild-mannered Edwards burst into life after sensationally knocking out Kamaru Usman to become the welterweight champion at UFC 278 in August 2022.
‘Rocky’ was down on the cards and seemingly on his way to a decision defeat against the number one ranked MMA fighter on the planet before he scored a picture-perfect head kick KO in the final minute of the fight.
The 31-year-old mimicked Conor McGregor by doing the billionaire strut before pouring his heart out during a truly memorable post-fight interview with Joe Rogan
Edwards said during his famous UFC 278 speech: “They all doubted, said I couldn’t do it. They all said I couldn’t do it. Look at me now! Pound-for-pound. Headshot. Dead. That’s it.
“Champion of the world, look at me now. I was born in Jamaica with nothing. I lived in a wooden shed with a zinc roof. Look at me now!”
Most read in MMA
The British MMA star has gone back to being his unassuming self ahead of his trilogy fight with Usman at UFC 286 in London on Saturday night.
Conor McGregor
McGregor is the biggest UFC star for more than just his fighting ability and he has had several historic post-fight rants during his 10-year stay in MMA’s premier promotion.
In 2016, ‘Notorious’ peaked when he ruthlessly dismantled Eddie Alvarez to win the lightweight title and become the first dual-weight champion in UFC history.
During his post-fight speech, McGregor used his crowning moment to troll the world with a fake apology for trash-talking his colleagues and being a general nuisance.
7
7
He said: “I’ve spent a lot of time, Joe, slating everyone in the company.
“Backstage, I’m starting fights with everybody. I’ve ridiculed everyone on the roster, and I just want to say from the bottom of my heart, I’d like to take this chance to apologise… to absolutely nobody! The double champ does what the f*** he wants!”
Seven years later and McGregor has still not mellowed. The 34-year-old is currently gearing up for his eagerly anticipated comeback fight with Michael Chandler who he has been beefing with while filming the latest series of The Ultimate Fighter.
Nate Diaz
Diaz delivered perhaps the best one-liner in UFC history when he said ‘I’m not surprised, motherf*****s’ after scoring a massive upset win over Conor McGregor in 2016.
However, that moment was only possible because he issued a surprise call out to the Irishman after beating Michael Johnson over three rounds in December 2015.
Diaz said: “Conor McGregor, you’ve taken everything I worked for, motherf*****. I’m gonna fight your f***ing a**.
7
7
“You know what’s the real money fight, it’s me, not these clowns you already ruined at the press conference. Don’t no-one wanna see that, you know you beat them already. That’s the easy fight, you want that real s***.”
Diaz was interrupted before he could finish his epic rant, but he’d already made his point and his speech led to an epic two-fight series with McGregor.
The UFC legends may well fight again before their careers are over but right now Diaz is chasing big-money boxing bouts after ending his 15-year UFC stint in 2022.
Brock Lesnar
WWE superstar Lesnar shocked the world when he became the UFC heavyweight champion with a dominant performance against Frank Mir in just his fifth professional MMA fight.
However, his win at UFC 100 in 2009 was not popular with those in the arena who booed as Lesnar discussed his win, post-fight plans, and complained about a particular beer company refusing to sponsor him in one of the most bizarre MMA interviews ever.
He said: “I love it! Keep going! Keep going! I love it, man.
“Frank Mir had a horseshoe up his a**. I told him that a year ago. I pulled that son of a b**** out and I beat him over the head with it!
“I’m going to go home tonight. I’m going to drink a Coors Light, that’s a Coors Light because Bud Light won’t pay me nothing. I’m going to sit down with my friends and family, and hell, I might even get on top of my wife tonight.”
7
7
Lesnar returned to the WWE following his controversial win over Mark Hunt at UFC 200 in 2016 and hasn’t fought in MMA since.
Read More on talkSPORT
However, he's been linked to a fight with Jon Jones following his heavyweight title win at UFC 285 which coincided with Lesnar's WWE contract expiring.
So, he could return to MMA to deliver more memorable moments and post-fight rants despite being way past his fighting prime.
talkSPORT BET CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL OFFER
Get £25 for Cheltenham when you bet 5 x £5 - CLAIM HERE
18+ New customers only. Opt in via app and bet 5 x £5 (odds 2.00+) on Cheltenham from 13:00 UK time on 10.03.23 until 13:30 UK time on the 17.03.23. No Cash out. Get 5 x £5 in Free Bets, 7 days expiry. Card payments only. T&Cs apply, see below. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
