Issue 077
July 2011
Smack talk has become an integral part of MMA. While nearly everyone does it, there are a few people who have taken things to the next level.
CHAEL SONNEN
ABOUT
Leading UFC middleweight title contender.
KNOWN FOR
Being the undisputed king of MMA trash talk. A dominant wrestler with political ambitions and legal problems.
TARGETS
Anderson Silva, Michael Bisping, Brock Lesnar and, for reasons best known to himself, seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.
TALKING THE TALK
In one of the most relentless trash talking campaigns ever, he accused Anderson Silva of being: a myth, a fraud and choosing not to use his fluent English
WALKING THE WALK
Came agonizingly close to winning the UFC middleweight title, but Silva withstood his onslaught to pull off a stunning final-round triangle victory.
DAN HARDY
ABOUT
English welterweight fighting out of the Rough House team.
KNOWN FOR
Exciting stand-up, a red and black mohawk and some cool ink.
TARGETS
Mike Swick, Marcus Davis, Georges St Pierre.
TALKING THE TALK
Challenged fans online to photoshop a snap of Davis. Resulting pictures of sexually confused leprechauns sent the ‘Irish Hand Grenade’ into meltdown.
WALKING THE WALK
Knocked the careers of Swick and Davis into a downward spiral, but found GSP a step too far.
NICK DIAZ
ABOUT
Strikeforce welterweight champion.
KNOWN FOR
Slick jiu-jitsu, rapid-fire boxing, repping ‘the 209’ (his local area code) and sticking it to the Man.
TARGETS
KJ Noons, Rich Franklin, Mayhem Miller, anyone who dyes their hair, paints their toe nails or in any way is not keeping it real.
TALKING THE TALK
Likes to give the finger to anyone who breaches the Diaz code. His catchphrase, ‘Don’t be scared homie.’ (plus a bottle aimed at KJ Noons’ dad) once sparked a riot.
WALKING THE WALK
When he finally caught up with Noons in the cage, he took the boxer on at his own game and scored a unanimous decision victory.
JOSH KOSCHECK
ABOUT
Outstanding wrestler and top-ten welterweight.
KNOWN FOR
An odd mix of KO excitement and lay ‘n’ pray tedium.
TARGETS
Chris Leben, Diego Sanchez, Paul Daley, Georges St Pierre.
TALKING THE TALK
His whispers into the ear of Paul Daley enraged the Brit so much ‘Semtex’ threw a punch after the bell that was rewarded with UFC banishment.
WALKING THE WALK
Edged decisions against all his enemies except GSP. After baiting the Canadian on TUF, Kos’ was paid back with a one-sided beating in the Octagon.
TITO ORTIZ
ABOUT
Former UFC light heavyweight champion
KNOWN FOR
His larger-than-life personality made him one of the biggest stars in UFC history.
TARGETS
Ken Shamrock, Chuck Liddell, Dana White.
TALKING THE TALK
Innovated the idea of the obscene T-shirt to taunt foes, so that his barbs would live on when press conferences were long forgotten.
WALKING THE WALK
His tongue has been more effective than his fists for a while. Tito has not won a fight in five years.
DON FRYE
ABOUT
Veteran hard man with UFC tournament wins to his name.
KNOWN FOR
Stars and stripes trunks and the finest moustache in the business.
TARGETS
Ken Shamrock.
TALKING THE TALK
Don’s comments about Shamrock’s personal relationships and subsequent divorce sparked a bitter feud. Frye’s sharp wit drove Shamrock crazy.
WALKING THE WALK
In a classic contest, Frye survived Ken’s legendary leg locks to tough out a decision in the main event of Pride 19: Bad Blood.
DANA WHITE
ABOUT
Ultimate Fighting Championship president.
KNOWN FOR
A no-holds-barred approach to business.
TARGETS
Jerry Millen, Pride, Loretta Hunt, Affliction, Tito Ortiz, and Fedor with his “crazy Russians.”
TALKING THE TALK
Anyone standing in the way of the UFC is sure to get the full F-bomb treatment from the boss.
WALKING THE WALK
Famously challenged Tito to a boxing match that never happened. All his other rivals have come off second best.
