There is a long tradition in combat sports of getting into an opponent’s head. Muhammad Ali attempted to paint Joe Frazier as an Uncle Tom, Conor McGregor slighted Khabib Nurmagomedov’s faith, wife, father, and nation; 12-0 bantamweight Sean O’Malley took things in a different direction, ahead his fight vs. Marlon Chito Vera, the first and only fighter from Ecuador. 

“Sugar” Sean colored his hair to resemble the Ecuadorian flag. At the UFC 252 media day, O’Malley explained why.

The inspiration I got to color my hair, I’d have to say was from Chito, said O’Malley. [He] gave me the inspiration.

I’m just showing my Ecuadorian fans some love. I think every fight we’ll do something different and have a nice little theme. It’s something I look forward to and it’s fun.

I didn’t think it would really bother him. If me changing my hair color got in his head, that might be too easy of a fight. I’m not doing it to get into his head. It’s just for fun.

The fans love it, the media, it’s something to talk about. Last time I did it, the whole fight week was about my hair. It’s something to talk about and just showing some love.

Marlon was amused.

“It could be Venezuela, it could be Colombia, it could be Ecuador, said a smiling Vera. It don’t have the logo in that. I don’t know which country he dyed his hair but good for him.

I have yellow or blonde hair, so I’m supporting all the yellow flags out there. Good for him. We’re free to do whatever the f*** we want. That’s why we pick this sport cause it’s not like a regular job that somebody tells you what to do or when to do it. Good for him.

My skin is thicker than his mom, so I’m good with that. It’s hard to get in my mind. I was the youngest in the family, I got a lot of f***ing bullies. Like my brother, everybody, so we grew up f***ing a lot with each other so I’m good on that side.

Win, lose, draw, whatever, I’m here to fight and I’m here to put on a show. Saturday night, my paycheck’s going to grow.

h/t Damon Martin for MMA Fighting