Issue 176

March 2019

2018 saw Derrick Lewis add to the list of memorable MMA celebrations and made us ask ourselves what are the best victory routines of all time? Here are the ones that made the cut!

ROY NELSON:

One of the most recognised celebrations in MMA. “Big Country” isn’t ashamed of his physique and celebrates it by rubbing his stomach when he wins. It’s a unique celebration. Let’s hope it stays that way.

MICHAEL PAGE:

The Londoner likes to keep his celebrations fresh, never more so than when he took out a Pokéball and rolled it towards Evangelista Santos at Bellator 158. It was appropriate as he had most certainly caught Santos!

DEMETRIOUS JOHNSON:

Finishing Henry Cejudo in Round 1 at UFC 197 sent Demetrious Johnson into a flurry of spinning kicks in celebration of his win. An impressive show of athleticism from one of the best in the game.

URIAH HALL:

Uriah Hall capped off a hugely impressive first round finish of Nigerian, Oluwale Bamgbose with his distinctive battle stance. The sign of a true warrior of the Octagon.

RENAN BARÃO:

Renan Barão was overjoyed at his TKO of Eddie Wineland at UFC 165 and celebrated with some strong dance moves. Showing fantastic hip control, this is definitely one to check out on YouTube.

RONALDO SOUZA:

Nothing about Souza is ordinary and this extends to his regular victory celebration. Crawling across the mat like an alligator, emulating his nickname, “Jacare”, Souza is an animal both during and after the fight.

CHUCK LIDDELL:

Although this might seem an ordinary celebration, somehow ‘The Iceman’ gave it his own unique stamp. Adopting his own battle stance and screaming into the crowd, it became part of the Liddell legend.

DERRICK LEWIS:

Beating his chest, sprawling on the mat to pummel the canvas, Derrick Lewis showed predator-like behavior after his win over Alexander Volkov at UFC 229. His post-fight interview with Joe Rogan wasn’t bad either.