When fighters have been training weeks on end to face one particular opponent, when the two get face to face, it can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
Whether you’re of the belief that stare downs can potentially change the outcome of a fight or that they mean absolutely nothing, there is something exciting about seeing two fighters who are scheduled to fight staring one another down.
Who better to create a top five list than Michael Bisping, a man who has been in countless memorable stare downs himself personally. Check out his top five and let us know what you think in the comments below! Are there any that are missing that you would put on your list?
5) Conor McGregor vs. anyone
Every weigh in McGregor has had in the UFC has been nothing less than fireworks when he and his opponent face off with one another. No fighter can quite generate the same type of hype that Conor McGregor brings to the table. Being notorious for his trash talk and getting under his opponent’s skin, when the time comes for weigh ins, everyone tunes in to see what happens and few are left disappointed.
4) Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier
These two could arguably have the biggest rivalry in MMA. During a press conference leading up to their first fight last year, when the two faced off with one another fans and media around the world were shocked. After butting heads, Cormier put his hand on Jones’ throat, which caused Jones to retaliate with a punch that started the now infamous brawl that took place inside the MGM Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
3) Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort
Anderson Silva is not the type to talk trash. Other than his bout against Demian Maia, he has been nothing but a class act within the UFC. Even when Chael Sonnen absolutely harassed the former champion, other than a few words Anderson did his talking within the octagon. Which made it such a surprise when Silva pulled out the mask, putting it on and then getting right into Vitor’s face. The bout was already highly anticipated just based off of their styles alone, but this just added another layer of excitement.
2) Nick Diaz vs. BJ Penn
If you’re scheduled to take on Nick Diaz in a fight, you better be ready every time you come face to face. Whether it be a barrage of expletives or just a Stockton slap, you can never know what either of the Diaz brothers are going to do. Leading up to the fight Diaz had been surprisingly respectful of Penn, but after the two weighed in something changed as the two stared one another down. The two collided heads and had to be separated.
1) Michael Bisping vs. Jorge Rivera
Oh, what a surprise, Michael Bisping put himself in the number one spot of his own countdown. His stare down with Jorge Rivera was as real as they get. Rivera had been posting videos on social media mocking Bisping. Bisping even claimed that he had made personal attacks against his wife through the use of subtle slang in said videos. But Bisping got his revenge when he got into Rivera’s face at weigh ins with an intensity that seemed to catch Jorge off guard. Bisping brought that same intensity to the fight on the following day and won by second round TKO.
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