Surprising Friendships Between UFC Fighters and Celebrities
MMA and the UFC have grown in popularity and not only have a huge following, but the sport has also attracted famous personalities from different fields. Since UFC fighters are tough, hard-working individuals who have big personalities, it should come as no surprise that many have forged friendships with movie stars, musicians, actors, and athletes. Here, we look at some of the most surprising and popular UFC fighters and celebrities’ friendships. These friendships show that MMA is indeed for everybody and how fighters who are considered warriors inside the cage have been able to form friendships with people from different strata of society. Conor McGregor and Drake: The Rap Star and the Notorious One Conor McGregor is an international celebrity who boasts and has one of the most powerful punches in the UFC. Drake, the Grammy-winning rapper, is also a big fan of combat sports, but his affiliation with McGregor came as a shock to many of his fans. The two first came to the public limelight when Drake appeared at McGregor’s weigh-in before the boxing match against Floyd Mayweather in 2017. Drake was visibly excited and started hyping up the Irishman, and their relationship grew rather quickly to become the talk of the town. Before the fight, in the press conference, McGregor welcomed Drake as a proper Irishman even though Drake is Canadian, and the two hugged. Drake remained backing McGregor in other UFC events and also on the social media platforms where the two are known to engage each other. It is for this reason that both are lovers of showbiz and thus respect each other. The cocky attitude and outrageous antics of McGregor have a nice synergy with the image of Drake as a hip-hop artist. Although McGregor has had his share of victories and losses in the octagon, his relationship with Drake remains intact, proving that they are more than just a selfie. Ronda Rousey and Demi Lovato: The Need for MMA Love: A Friendship Story UFC women’s bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey, changed the face of women’s mixed martial art and is close friends with Demi Lovato. Although Lovato is mostly popular for singing and acting, she is also a very passionate fan of MMA. Lovato has been practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu for years, and he is quite a fan of UFC. It is worth mentioning that Lovato has expressed her affection towards Rousey, and their friendship was built based on their common passion for the sport. The singer, who used to support Rousey in her fights, watched her matches from the first row. Rousey lost her fight to Holly Holm in UFC 193, and Lovato supported her friend during the worst period in her career. The two have been seen in each other’s company many times, and it is not limited to MMA alone. Lovato has also said that Rousey is her inspiration due to her strength and confidence, while Rousey has said that she enjoys Lovato’s support and passion for MMA. It proves that regardless of the nature of the people’s work, MMA can be the unifying subject of their friendship. Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Guy Fieri: The Fighter and the Foodie Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, a UFC fighter who takes any fight at any time, and Guy Fieri, the host of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the Food Network. When one looks at it, one may not think that Cerrone and Fieri are friends, but these two love life, food, and the rush of adrenalin. Cerrone has a rugged cowboy type of life, and in his spare time, he likes dirt biking and wakeboarding, among other things. Fieri is known as the food lover and the adrenaline junkie, which makes him to support Cerrone’s idea of enjoying life. They first crossed paths at a UFC event, and since then Fieri has been attending many of Cerrone’s fights as a cageside supporter. Moreover, Fieri and Cerrone are interested in similar things, and they have worked on television; Cerrone was the guest of Fieri in the show Guy’s Grocery Games. They have also been captured mingling outside the UFC organization, whether at events or even having meals together. Fieri even attended Cerrone’s fight against Conor McGregor at UFC 246, and was ringside to support his buddy. Jorge Masvidal and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: The Bond of the BMF Jorge Masvidal, known for his street fight experience, was able to take his UFC career to the next level when he clinched the “BMF” (Baddest Motherf*****) at UFC 244 in 2019. This was made even more memorable by the guest appearance of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who handed over the custom-made BMF belt to Masvidal after his fight with Nate Diaz. This fight was a result of friendly relations between the Rock, a former WWE wrestler turned Hollywood actor, and Masvidal, who respect each other as fighters. Johnson has been a supporter of the UFC for a long time, and he came out in support of Masvidal before the fight while commending him for his fighting techniques and perseverance. The friendship between the two became tighter when Johnson handed the belt, saying that it was a dream come true for him. After that fight, both Masvidal and Johnson have remained friends, and The Rock often posts about Masvidal’s fighting ability and hard work. Both have complimented each other in public, and Johnson has even said he would like to collaborate with Masvidal in the future, maybe integrating both the fighting and performance arts. Khabib Nurmagomedov and Cristiano Ronaldo: The Eagle and Soccer Superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov, the former UFC lightweight champion with the record of 28-0, is one of the most respected fighters in the history of the MMA. Some people may be shocked to learn that he is friends with Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the best soccer players in the world, but the two have become good friends. The friendly relations between Khabib and Ronaldo started when the latter started developing an interest in MMA and started posting
Off-Octagon Friendships: Bonds Between Fighters Outside the Cage
MMA is a very intense form of sports combat where attention is paid to the actions of the fighters inside the cage and the desire to become the ultimate champion. But real life is quite the opposite; the fighters are united by friendship; they respect each other and are actual friends even though they are inside the cage. These friendships between fighters that are not octagon neighbors provide an insight into the personal side of the fighters, the camaraderie that is established due to the shared experiences that the UFC fighters go through, and how the nature of the sport helps in the development of these friendships that last beyond the cage. This paper aims to discuss the characteristics of such friendships, the possible reasons for the formation of such relations, and the effects of these relations on the fighters and their careers.They are the formation of off-octagon friendships. The path to becoming a professional MMA fighter is not easy, and it includes heavy training, physical and mental stress and losses, and self-sacrifice. This common experience is one way that different fighters feel a closeness with one another and can comprehend the hardships as well as the victories of others that they feel are impossible for anyone who has not been through it. Such friendships may develop in different circumstances, for instance, by training together at the same gym, being competitors in the same events, or just admiring each other’s work ethic and talent.Training camps and gyms Off-octagon friendships are most often produced in training camps and gyms, which are the main arenas for MMA fighters. Boxers who train together every day become teammates who are built by sweat and hard work. They keep egging each other on, congratulating each other when things go well, and lifting each other up when things are not so rosy. Such fraternity is well illustrated in famous MMA gyms such as American Top Team (ATT), Jackson-Wink MMA, and Tristar Gym, where fighters live in a society.For example, fighters training at ATT often mention that the atmosphere in the gym is more like a family for them, and they include people like Jorge Masvidal, Dustin Poirier, and Joanna Jędrzejczyk. It is one of encouragement and teamwork where fighters do not only train for fights but also stand by each other through personal difficulties. Such camaraderie, forged out of their passion for the sport and support for one another, forms friendships that go beyond the gymnasium. Competitions and eventsFriendship is also formed in competitions and MMA events, though it may be difficult to describe how it happens since it is not as common as the others. Sometimes athletes respect each other after the encounter in the cage because of their appreciation for the talent, guts, and spirits that go into the cage. Such events can make rivals feel like they are on the same team despite the competitions.An example of this is the friendly relationship between UFC lightweights Donald “Cowboy“ Cerrone and Joe Lauzon. Even though they have had many battles inside the cage, they remain great admirers of each other’s abilities and perseverance, and this has led to mutual friendship. Both have been seen attending each other’s functions and even complimenting each other, as this shows that rivalry leads to friendship. Factors Contributing to Off-Octagon Friendships There are a number of reasons as to why and how MMA fighters are able to establish these bonds and friendships. These are common interests, respect for each other, a sense of belonging, and the nature of the sport. Shared ExperiencesThe process of achieving success in MMA is a long, tireless, and painful one that entails a lot of struggles, such as physical traumas, psychological torments, and expectations. Co-participants of the fighters often feel the pain and success that they face and gain on the other side. It also means that everyone is on the same side, and there is a feeling of camaraderie, which is very hard to come by in other contexts.Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier are examples of this friendship. Both of them are training partners at the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA); hence, they have a close relationship that involves respect. Each of them has stated how their friendship has been beneficial in situations where one of them feels bad, getting support from the other one. Mutual RespectReciprocity is a value from which a great number of off-octagon friendships are built. MMA fighters appreciate the hard work, commitment, and various things that one has to give up in order to be a fighter; hence, there is always mutual respect. This respect often leads to friendship since the fighters hold and appreciate the common qualities they notice in their counterparts.For example, the friendship between Georges St-Pierre and Rory MacDonald is not just camaraderie; it is based on respect. St-Pierre is also MacDonald’s former coach and has worked with him since he was a young fighter; they have become close friends. MacDonald has always mentioned how St-Pierre has helped him and shaped his life, and how the two men have respect for each other.Supportive Community The MMA community, especially in the training camps and the gyms, is one of the most supportive communities out there. Some of the positive things that can be associated with fighters are that they practice with each other, exchange ideas, and even encourage each other, resulting in a lot of fellowship and friendship. This supportive community is important in a sport where the psychological and physical pressures are very high. As seen at Jackson-Wink MMA, fighters such as Jon Jones and Holly Holm have benefited from a culture that fosters teamwork. The fellowship that has been fostered at the gym has seen fighters develop close friendships and, hence, have a support base to deal with the odds of the trade.Unique Nature of MMA Due to the complexity of the sport, which is a combination of different types of martial arts, and the nature of the battles, there is a special bond among