HALLOWEEN
Halloween is a celebration observed in a number of countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows’ Day. It is widely believed that many Halloween traditions originated from the ancient Celtic harvest festival Samhain, which was Christianized by the early Church. Samhain and other such festivals may have pagan roots.
The center of the practice today is dressing up in a costume, which can involves scant risque outfits, or cross dressing, or dressing horribly. In other words, it mimics the practice in the average US high school.
The practice of mixed martial arts is rigorous and demanding, abstaining from sex for months in some camps. Thus the holiday represents an opportunity to kick back and be loose for many in the MMA community.
UFC women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate fought for a decade before winning the title. And when October 31 rolls, she dresses memorably.
Images via Instagram
MS TRACY LEE
Ms. Tracy Lee is one of the foremost photographers in the MMA space, a social media consultant, and a popular UGer. In fact, the link on her platinum UG account cleverly reads “Click For Nudes.” There in fact aren’t any, but what there are is some of the greatest media in combat sports.
So check her out!
And come Halloween, year after year, Ms. Tracy Lee goes over the top!
ARIANNY CELESTE
Being a ring card girl is scoffed at by some, but I have done every single job in the MMA space from fighting to writing, glove designing to glove running, regulating to helping the ring card girls to the ring. I have never been a ring card boy – don’t have the courage to parade around in a banana hammock.
By far the most popular ring card girl not just in the UFC, but in all of MMA is Penelope Lòpez Marquez, better known as Arianny Celeste. She has parlayed the exposure into appearances in countless magazines, and a vast social networking presence.
Follow Arianny in Instagrammy.
And given how little she wears at work, it is not surprise that Arianny goes sexier still come Halloween.
FELICE HERRIG
UFC strawweight Felice Herrig has grown a strong fanbase through an aggressive fighting style, and the use of social media and colorful weigh-in attire.
“I’ve always thought of myself as a superhero,” she has explained. “I’m obsessed with superheros. I do cos-play all the time. I’ve actually done Super Girl, Cammy from Street Fighter.”
“I have always looked at myself as an entertainer and a performer. It’s not just about the fight itself, it’s about the show, the total package, the whole image, the presentation. That is my way of looking professional.”
For Felice, every day can be Halloween, including of course Halloween.
Follow Herrig on Twitter…
Follow Herrig on Instagram…
SUPER GIRL
Everyone wants to be Super. Herrig pulls it off with style
Former UFC light heavyweight champion and Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin maybe a little less so.
‘ROWDY’ RONDA ROUSEY
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is the most well known figure in the history of MMA, with a New York Time best seller, multiple Hollywood movies, media duties that would break a presidential candidate, and long fight camps,
When Hollywood rolls around, though, Rowdy takes a day off.
Rousey also inspires more costumes than any other fighter.
CHUCK LIDDELL AND RANDY COUTURE
Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture had a rivalry that helped build the sport at a time when its future was very much in question. Couture won the first one, with Liddell taking the next two.
Both giants are firmly retired, but Couture created one of the best MMA fighter Halloween costumes ever, when he appeared as his old nemesis.
Lidell went as, well, he went as what he is – a man who always has scantily clad women around.
ROXANNE MODAFFERI
Modafferi is a pioneer of women’s MMA, and a pioneer of fight costumes, particularly around weigh ins. Her sensibility caught on in Invicta FC, and it has become close to the norm for weigh ins in the world’s leading WMMA league.
Modafferi’s influence extends to her coach and fans as well.
FEMALE BODYBUILDER
Professional female bodybuilders can take on certain male characteristics, so UFC light heavyweight Ryan Bader’s costume was not that unrealistic.
THE REST OF OUR FAVORITES
Fedor Emelianenko. Probably not Halloween, but it if it was, it’s good.
New England’s Chuck “Cold Steel” O’Neil as Brock Lesnar.
Paige VanZant
Raquel “Lionheart” Pa’aluhi • Follow her on Twitter
