5 Famous MMA pre-fight rituals

If you could pick one commonality that all sports share, what would it be?
It’s a little difficult to pinpoint one common theme shared throughout all sports and athletics, but you can almost assuredly find each player or coach doing something to get them ready for the game or match ahead.
From cage crawls and crying to slapping and chanting, here are 5 of the most infamous MMA pre-fight routines.

5) Clay Guida

If each MMA fighter could be represented by some sort of mascot, the Energizer Bunny might be the best fit for Clay Guida. A ball of energy from ring entrance to fight decision, Guida has one of the most painfully productive pre-fight rituals in the sport, taking several slaps to the face from his much larger brother Jason.

4) Rashad Evans

Suga Rashad Evans, a former UFC light heavyweight champion has been entering the Octagon the same way for years. Often imitated by other fighters, Evans prefers to crawl inside the cage, almost as if he’s stalking his prey, before drilling a few wrestling techniques and going to war.

3) Ronda Rousey

Whether it’s her entrance music or the intense way that she presents herself during her walkout, Ronda Rousey has a few routines that fans have picked up on over the years. Before her fight with Holly Holm, Rousey admitted two must do’s that many fans didn’t know about: having sex and shedding a few tears, though, not necessarily in that order.

2) Wanderlei Silva

If you’re a hardcore fan of MMA, Wanderlei Silva’s hand roll will be very familiar to you, as you’ve probably seen him do it just before mauling an opponent in Pride FC and UFC.

1) Diego Sanchez

Originally adopted as a technique from Tony Robbins, Diego Sanchez’ YES! chant is just as entertaining as it is appropriate for a fighter like The Nightmare. These days you can catch WWE fans around the world doing the same chant, as performed by MMA fan Daniel Bryan.