Issue 085
February 2012
As the popularity of MMA continues to grow, so too does the number of A-list enthusiasts. FO checks out some of the most famous fans of the world’s most exciting sport
1 JASON STATHAM
As one of Hollywood’s leading action heroes and a trained kickboxer, it is hardly surprising that star of The Expendables Jason Statham is a keen follower of combat sports and has attended numerous UFC events over the years. A former diver, his athletic prowess has enabled him to perform a large majority of his own stunts in movies. The action man’s love for MMA goes beyond the position of a mere spectator, as proven in an interview with Jeffrey Lyons (a TV and film critic) when he defended young practitioners of the sport, saying: “Any kind of martial art or discipline of that nature actually breeds a bit of peace… The only aggression that they have time for is when it’s in a competition environment.”
2 MIKE TYSON
‘Iron’ Mike Tyson is as much a high-profile celebrity as he is a fighter, and his love for MMA and close relationship with UFC boss Dana White makes him one of the most famous fans on the planet. Though we have seen flashes of him on the big screen in recent years, when people hear his name they don’t think ‘actor’, they think ‘knockout’. Tyson even guest refereed a pro MMA fight once, pulling now UFC star Terry Etim off a tapping Diego Gonzalez in the UK back in 2006.
3 TRAVIS BARKER
The well-inked drummer of Blink-182 fame is mixed martial arts through and through. Speaking on the red carpet at the UFC on Fox card recently, he told MMA Heat’s Karyn Bryant: “I’m practically in the fight when I’m watching it in my bus on tour. I’m, like, exhausted after round two.” Barker also owns the clothing line, Famous Stars and Straps, which sponsors UFC fighters Dominick Cruz and Travis Browne, the latter of whom used his rock star supporter’s own song, Let’s Go, as his entrance music when he fought Rob Broughton at UFC 135.
4 MICKEY ROURKE
The star of highly-acclaimed blockbusters like Sin City, The Wrestler and Iron Man 2, Rourke boxed as an amateur before turning to Hollywood. After suffering a near mental breakdown, the star returned to the roped ring and turned professional with acclaimed coach Freddie Roach, even running up an eight-fight unbeaten record. But, after revitalizing his acting career, he’s more likely to be found these days shouting instructions from outside the Octagon.
5 JUSTIN BIEBER
By far the most unlikely fan on our list, the Biebs was in attendance at UFC 132 with his father, Jeremy Bieber, who himself trains in MMA. The teen pop sensation sat cage-side with Dana White and Lorenzo Fertita for the Cruz vs Faber main event. After the fight, Dana revealed he scored the bout in Faber’s favor, while Lorenzo and Bieber had Cruz winning. As if attending a UFC event wasn’t enough of a privilege for this young fight fan, the Bieber-fever catalyst was joined on stage by UFC champ Anderson Silva at his concert in Rio in October 2011. ‘The Spider’ seemed only too happy to show off his dance moves to the Brazilian ‘Beliebers.’
