Does having facial hair give you the edge in the Octagon or is it just a load of fuzz about nothing?

Andrei Arlovski has one, Court McGee has one, even Brock Lesnar had one until Cain Velasquez nearly knocked it off during UFC 121; beards are a grizzly facial appendage to MMA warriors worldwide.

Some argue that sporting a hairy chin-strap provides an advantage in the cage as it can be used as an offensive weapon.

With a number of current fighters adorning their jaws with Viking fur, it begs the question: is there a method to their manliness? 

TO BEARD OR NOT TO BEARD?

Beards can prove a significant form of attack during a fight.

As anyone who has ever hit the mats in earnest will testify, there is nothing worse than the painful irritation of rolling around with someone's five-o'clock death shadow grating against your face like sandpaper.

Also, if your face fuzz has been cultivated for a longer period, thick beards can prove equally as itchy and uncomfortable when it’s rubbing across your eyes and mouth.

It may not sound like the leading weapon in a fighter's arsenal but beards can definitely put off your challenger, perhaps providing the tiny advantage to notch up the 'W' when throwing down in the Octagon.

Not only do beards make you look more feral and wild (which can help in the cage), they're also intimidating. Research in The Social Psychology of Facial Appearance found men who have beards are seen as more masculine and strong.

What's more, the Greek Spartan warriors (popularized by the Hollywood blockbuster 300) wore beards to intimidate rival armies while punishing cowards by shaving off sections of their facial hair.

So having a Gandalf growth will provide a magical performance when it comes to fight night, right? Wrong, there are disadvantages.

Beards can also be a burden. A non-flush punch could actually land harder on a bearded fighter in comparison to a baby-faced brawler with a Vaseline-coated jaw.

“Fighters should be cleanly shaven as stubble can actually increase the likelihood of cuts, tears and injuries due to friction,” says Dr Najib Ahmed, a registered doctor for the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA).

“There's also a view that a beard will cushion the blow of a punch but, unfortunately, having a beard will provide little protection against being knocked out as the difference would be insignificant to the amount of force a fighter can deliver in one punch.” 

THE BEARD RULES

In all levels of amateur boxing, including the Olympic Games, beards are banned. “After much discussion with the medical commission, boxers are to be cleanly shaven as the beard may stop the fighter from wearing their head gear correctly which puts them in danger,” adds Dr Ahmed. 

While beards are more common in the professional ring, they are still frowned upon by the various governing bodies.

But in professional MMA, where headgear is also not required, there is no ruling against beards in the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts.

So if you show no remorse in rubbing up your wiry rug against your opponents face, get ready to grow some Genghis Khan whiskers and prepare for war.

Keep it clean

While donning a sweat-soaked bird's nest on your chin will certainly agitate your opponent when in the clinch, health and safety requires you to keep it clean at all times.

Shampoo and condition it weekly to avoid beard lice and other nasties.

MMA’s BEST BEARDS

Kimbo Slice - Dense and dangerous, it is sure to grate like wire wool.

Evan Tanner - Feral at its best with ginger undertones.

Court Mcgee - A presidential beard commanding respect, similar to that of great Uncle Abe’s.

Andrei Arlovski - Thick, groomed: a classic face brush. Good for booting folk in the chest and shouting, ‘Sparta!’

Robbie Lawler - A Chuck Norris-inspired class act.