Spotted by the Paps: Who Hangs Out with Who Outside the Octagon

From intense rivalries to high-stakes battles, fierce in-Octagon competition defines the world of mixed martial arts. However, it is not just about bloodshed when these hard-hitting athletes step out of their cage; it’s also a window into some great friendships, camaraderie, and alliances that define another side of the fighters. Those are a few of the relationships, mostly forged in training camps and long hours at the gym but often in shared experiences, which prove that even fighters as tough as nails need company and bonds of friendship. This article will detail a life outside of the Octagon for some of the top fighters in the UFC, showing exactly who hangs out with whom and how those relationships affect their personal and professional lives.

1. Conor McGregor and Artem Lobov

One of the most popular friendships within the UFC circle is that of Conor McGregor and Artem Lobov. Their friendship has blossomed from training under the same roof at SBG Dublin, Ireland, under the famous coach John Kavanagh. With McGregor being flashy in his ways as a former UFC Featherweight and Lightweight champion, with Lobov, a Russian-born fighter, having the reputation of ruggedness and gameness, both fighters clicked at an instant on a very personal level rather than just their business relationship.

Lobov, commonly regarded as “The Russian Hammer,” has been a loyal friend and training partner to McGregor for the longest time. He has been a great influence on the rise to fame of McGregor, so they have both been inseparable in everything—from training to out of the gym. Together, they peacefully shared a bond of mutual respect and loyalty as their interaction continued over the years.

That loyalty was, perhaps, most typified during the UFC 223 fracas, when McGregor—infamously—threw a dolly at a bus carrying UFC fighters. The incident was reportedly in response to an altercation between Lobov and Khabib Nurmagomedov, showcasing how far the Notorious One is willing to go to defend his friend.

Apart from their UFC careers, the duo of McGregor and Lobov can always be spotted together at social functions, no matter if it is parties or any media event. In fact, Lobov was also present during McGregor’s boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather. These two more or less have a professional relationship rather than a personal one. McGregor can often be heard calling Lobov his brother. It has been a mutually blooming relationship wherein McGregor has paved ways for Lobov in the UFC circuit and Lobov repaying his adamant loyalty.

2. Daniel Cormier vs Khabib Nurmagomedov

Daniel Cormier and Khabib Nurmagomedov were two of the most outstanding fighters in the history of the UFC and shared a bond that crossed a middle-of-the-road training partner squabble. Both of these men have been key fighters for the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California, under the tutelage of coach Javier Mendez.

Cormier, a former two-division UFC champion in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, and Nurmagomedov, the undefeated former UFC lightweight champion, are rarely seen apart, whether in the gym or outside. Their friendship is built on mutual respect, shared values, and a deep understanding of the sacrifices needed to rise to the top of the sport.

Maybe the greatest element of their friendship is their shared cultural values. Cormier and Nurmagomedov come from a wrestling background and regard the discipline that a sport demands, because of the sacrifice it makes. This similarity has seen them get along great in the years passed as previously mentioned. The two are blessed with a culture of humility, industriousness and respect – which has been clear in both their respective careers.

The friendship between Cormier and Nurmagomedov was at its peak while the latter was rising as UFC Lightweight Champion. Cormier remained in Nurmagomedov’s corner on many instances, explaining to him how fights work. On several occasions, the latter spoke highly of Cormier and his role as a mentor and big brother.

Their friendship took center stage after the emotional after-show of UFC 229, in which Nurmagomedov had just reigned triumphant over already-fallen Conor McGregor in the most anticipated, explosive, and tense fight. Coming as one of the first contenders for that massive post-fight commotion, Cormier made his way to console the just-concluded winner, a show of deep spark that their friendship has developed. This raises, on a higher level, the importance of their friendship in terms of being capable of handling all pressures and challenges faced by being top athletes in the UFC.
Outside of the Octagon, one can see Cormier and Nurmagomedov attending sporting events, celebrating their victories, or just messing around. It is testifying strongly to those sorts of connections that can occur in and around the sport of mixed martial arts when there is recognition of power and common experience.

3. Jorge Masvidal and Yoel Romero

The UFC has no dearth of charismatic and explosive fighters such as Jorge Masvidal and Yoel Romero. Their friendship has traversed years of training together. Both fighters share Cuban heritage, which plays a huge role in their close bond.

Masvidal, known as “Gamebred,” and Romero, who is often referred to as “The Soldier of God,” were originally together in Miami, where they trained side by side at the American Top Team. The camp environment and bond have clearly fostered a special and unique brotherhood between both fighters, whose similar cultural backgrounds and immigrant experience in America clearly formed the base of a connection that would only blossom further from the seed.

Besides becoming close friends in the gym, both seem glued to each other in various places around different social gatherings. Whether it’s an action to attend a post-fight party or to just appreciate a meal at a nearby eatery, Masvidal and Romero have been seen socializing away from the grueling training.
Still, especially with his Olympic wrestling pedigree and crazy knockout power in the cage, Romero is more often seen cageside while Masvidal competed, lending words of wisdom and encouragement, as Masvidal has worked his corner, shouting instructions and identifying the number of issues in controversial middleweight title fights. Their friendship only reflects the real characters they both relate to; of loyalty, hard work, and the pride in representing the true definition of Cuban heritage in the world arena.

One of the best memorable moments in displaying their friendship had been just recently: an immediate congratulatory note Romero gave to Masvidal backstage, after his shocking win by knockout over Ben Askren with a flying knee at UFC 239 in 5 seconds, the quickest knockout in history. Romero was one of the first people to go backstage and congratulate Masvidal, joining in the celebration of his friend’s new achievement. This kind of moment stands as the purveyor of actual friendship between these two fighters, who have backed each other through thick and thin in the game.

4. Max Holloway and Yancy Medeiros

Max Holloway and Yancy Medeiros are two fighters who have not only made their name in the UFC but have found a very close relationship between them due to common heritage and the common rearing, having both been raised in Hawaii. The two fought under a gelid Hawaii prep in another biggest UFC night.

Holloway as lifeline champion, Medeiros as a long-serving veteran of the lightweight and welterweight divisions are more than just a good friendship story going on. The two grew up together in Waianae, which happens to be a small community in the Oahu island. The friendship started way long before they were UFC stars, and this journey from the very starts through to the worldwide scene of UFC only lessens and proves those times of resilience and durability.

It is a relationship observed in the octagon and beyond, during joint training and in the corner of one as the other one fights. Holloway has time and again opened up about the pride he has in representing Hawaii, with Medeiros by his side as a back cushion throughout his career.
One of the best human moments out of a friendship between two friends came in a joint victory—Medeiros over Alex Oliveira at UFC 218, for which he gained the “Fight of the Night” bonus—and Holloway, headliner with a win over Jose Aldo, then backstage with Medeiros in a big hug.

It was such a great reminder of the almost familial connection that fighters who come from the same community have and how deep those sort of connections lie in the fabric of the community from which they sprout.

Outside the Octagon, they can be found in surrounding surfing spots, local events, or just chilling with family and friends throughout Hawaii. Their friendship epitomizes the close relationship existing among Hawaiian fighters, who often address one another as ‘ohana,’ in the Hawaiian language that translates to family. This sense of unity and support has been a driving force behind their success in the UFC.

5. Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanov

Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski are two other UFC champions who asserted their marker in their respective divisions and epitomized the notion that good friends deliver with each other’s growth—that was up till the time Adesanya lost badly. Two of the real dramas can be located at City Kickboxing in Auckland, New Zealand, where Eugene Bareman operates.
City Kickboxing is a gym that Adesanya has noted as fostering a very positive environment. They have allowed both Adesanya and Volkanovski to have continued success at the topmost tier of the game. Their friendship is based on mutual respect, common goals, and understanding.

It all turned up on Saturday night at UFC 245, mornings after Volkanoski’s fight for the featherweight title against Max Holloway. One of the first on his feet to congratulate Volkanoski was Adesanya, already sharing in the joy of his friend’s victory. The moment was illustrative of the good sense of unity in their team.

Adesanya has been seen with Volkanovski at UFC events, whether they be shouting advice at each other when there are similar opponents in the other’s corner, in press conferences, or during other media meet-and-greet opportunities. This friendship went beyond the gym, and sometimes both would enjoy some downtime together by roaming the sights of a distant city during fight week or by just cutting back over a coffee at a local café.

One of the major chinks in their relationship relates to the manner in which two fighters perceive fighting and mainly life itself. Adesanya and Volkanovski are super disciplined and prepared, mentally stronger, with immense fortitude and composure under pressure. In this respect, such commonality of values will have helped forge between them quite a bond, one far surpassing that of mere teammates—very close friends who draw on greatness from one another.

6. Dustin Poirier and Daniel Cormier

Perhaps that makes Dustin Poirier and Daniel Cormier better fighters, people known to be almost blood brothers due to their subjective experiences and contiguous bonds as UFC fighters. Cormier is a former two-division UFC champion, and Poirier was one of its former interim UFC Lightweight Champions; there developed a strong bond of friendship.

Cormier has always characterized himself as the wrestler and charismatic fighter of all time, and he has expressed his idealistic opinion about Poirier many times about his fighting and undying spirit. For his part, Poirier has also taken Cormier as his mentor and role model, especially since they hail from neighboring places in Louisiana.

The Poirier–Cormier friendship has become not only reliable in how they respond to one another at UFC events, where Cormier has often been in Poirier’s corner, helping him out with direction and advice, but also in the naturalness of experience in other kinds of leadership in the sport of wrestling. Many times, Poirier has credited Cormier for helping him navigate the pitfalls of trying to be one of the best fighters in the high-profile environment of UFC competition.

One that defined their friendship perfectly was the moment after Poirier defeated Max Holloway at UFC 236 in a fight to win the interim UFC Lightweight Championship. An emotional Cormier joined backstage in being one of the very first to embrace Poirier and bask in the emotional rapture of his friend’s hard-fought triumph. That really put a serious bond into the two fighters’ camaraderie on each other’s career high and low.

Outside the octagon, the two fighters were spotted spending time together. This could mean watching a sports game or just sharing a meal in any of the well-known restaurants around. They could also be spotted engaging in various missions or charity events within the state of Louisiana. Their friendship was a testament to the strong sense of community and camaraderie that usually binds fighters who hold on to or relate deeply to particular roots.

7. Stipe Miocic and Gian Villante

Stipe Miocic and Gian Villante have pursued a very strong bond over time, largely due to their love for sport, physical fitness, and competitiveness. Miocic is the former UFC Heavyweight Champion, and Villante is a seasoned UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight fighter, often seen around different promotions and at social events.

Although Miocic and Villante mainly came to know each other through their extensive links within the MMA community, they immediately developed a friendship of common interests and personalities in life. It appears that these fighters have a diligent work ethic and/or an unforgiving dedication to their craft, as well as that sense of humor, which has gone a long way to forging a deep-based bond in and out of the cage.

Proof of their friendship is the fact that they help and cheer for each other being in the other’s corner through their fights. Miocic has been caught numerous times during Villante’s fights through the UFC, leading and screaming for him. Villante has been notoriously seen yelling his support at Miocic throughout his defenses and championship runs, though mainly from the sideline.

Off the Octagon, Miocic and Villante have been caught hanging out with each other in every event; whether after a UFC party, night dinner in town, and even charitable events. Their friendship is taken as a reflection of the comradeship existing among fighters who share a common passion for the sport and a desire to spur each other towards their best.

8. Tyron Woodley vs. Jorge Mas

Tyron Woodley and Jorge Masvidal are a tough friendship built from years of training and competing at the same level. They are also two perennial staples in the welterweight division of the UFC, having lit up the octagon and built a mutual respect through the throws of battle—one of close and vital bonds. Woodley is the former UFC Welterweight champion. Masvidal, who is nicknamed “Gamebred,” first met his compatriot by the way of having trained together at the American Top Team in Florida. The friendship between them was based on mutual respect towards one another’s skills and accomplishments, fighting in UFC and the warfare experience.

They have often been seen together supporting each other during fights, whether cornering each other in the Octagon or offering words of encouragement before and after the bouts. This was noticeable in their friendship, especially when Masvidal rose to fame in 2019; in his fantastic knockout win over Ben Askren, Woodley was one of the first people to give his words of congratulations to him. Beyond the Octagon, Woodley and Masvidal have been seen out celebrating together, everything to after-parties of the fights they were not involved in to nights out on the town raising awareness for charitable causes. Theirs is only but a microcosm of all of the camaraderies relating to fighters; sharing a specific passion for the sport, starting now to bring the best out of each other.

Conclusion
And indeed, though the UFC is spoken of as some kind of battleground, with fierce competitions flaring in and out of the Octagon, here just outside of that ring, friendships really embrace the true essence of such relationships. Such bonding with fellow fighters portrayed in this article brings into light camaraderie with a base of respect amongst fighters, showing another face of the lone warrior, like how these athletes are generally labeled. A testimony to such an immensely strong companionship in the field of mixed martial arts is the kind of friendships formed through experience, cultural connection, and mutual respect.

These friendships are reminders to everybody that, under the tough face and fight spirit, UFC fighters are just normal human beings, too, who value the support and friendliness of someone who knows what struggles in their own profession mean. As the UFC forges ahead and works through changes, such friendships will no doubt continue to be one of the major foundation rocks in an athlete’s life and career. Add to this the bonding at gyms, social events, and battle scenes that have only deepened the world of mixed martial arts, and the sport becomes even more compelling today.