MMA has a history rooted in spectacle, exemplified by “freakshow” fights featuring mismatched or unusual competitors, with notable examples including Eddie Hall vs. Mariusz Pudzianowski, Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki, and the infamous Dada 5000 vs. Kimbo Slice, which highlight the sport’s blend of absurdity and entertainment.
Freaks. Everybody loves them. Despite MMA’s attempts to shed its carnival image over the past 20 years, the sport’s history thrives on spectacle. Deep down, promoters are modern-day P.T. Barnums, captivated by the wondrous and absurd—especially when fists fly.
On Saturday, MMA added another freakshow to its history. Former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall demolished fellow champion Mariusz Pudzianowski in just 30 seconds at KSW 105. This got us pondering: What are the greatest Freakshow fights in MMA history?
Freakshow fights, much like Justice Potter Stewart’s definition of obscenity, are more of a vibe than a strict category. With a vast array of such fights, we set some ground rules. Promotions like Fight Circus and Dogfight Wild were disqualified for feeling more exploitative than spectacular. And, of course, no celebrity boxing—just genuine MMA with outlandish characters.
After much debate, we narrowed it down to 10. Here they are, with a couple of honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Zuluzinho: Pride didn’t always feature the best fighting the best, but sometimes it was just about fun squash matches. This fight holds a special place in my heart; it showed why MMA could be so entertaining.
“See, that small chubby guy is about to fight that monstrously large human. Look at what happens!!!” This fight did more to build Fedor’s aura than a typical win over a known opponent.
Mirko Cro Cop vs. Dos Caras Jr.: You can’t help but feel for Dos Caras Jr., known later as Alberto Del Rio in WWE. A legitimate amateur wrestler, he was matched with the formidable Mirko Cro Cop.
Due to tradition, Del Rio wore his luchador gear, which didn’t help against Cro Cop’s head kicks. Seeing him slumped after a kick is a sad sight.
10. Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki: This fight is crucial to MMA’s history, though not for its aesthetics. In 1976, Ali and Inoki clashed in a globally hyped event, but it turned into a dull affair with Inoki kicking Ali’s legs for 15 rounds.
Despite the lackluster match, it drew millions of viewers and may have sparked the mainstream mixing of martial arts, leading to the UFC’s inception.
9. Ray Mercer vs. Tim Sylvia: When booked in 2009, this fight was criticized as a freakshow. Sylvia, a former UFC champ, faced 48-year-old boxer Mercer, who had never fought in MMA. The result? Sylvia was floored by Mercer’s first punch, turning a supposed squash match into a career low for Sylvia.
8. Gabi Garcia vs. Yumiko Hotta: Gabi Garcia, a jiu-jitsu powerhouse, faced 49-year-old Hotta in a mismatch. Hotta, replacing another older legend, was quickly defeated in 49 seconds, summing up Garcia’s mismatched MMA journey.
7. Mariusz Pudzianowski vs. Bob Sapp: Pudzianowski, a five-time World’s Strongest Man, took MMA seriously but still embraced the freakshow label. Against Sapp, who had leaned into the gimmick, Pudzianowski dominated, passing the “Goliath” torch.
6. Randy Couture vs. James Toney: Couture was upfront about his plan to take down boxing champ Toney at UFC 118. The spectacle sold itself, though it didn’t prove which sport was superior.
5. Daiju Takase vs. Emmanuel Yarbrough: Takase, weighing 169 pounds, faced 600-pound Yarbrough in a bizarre matchup. Takase used a “stick and move” strategy until Yarbrough gassed out, allowing Takase to secure a win.
4. Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Giant Silva/Butterbean: Minowa, a true showman, often faced much larger opponents. His fights with Silva and Butterbean highlighted his flair and ability to entertain, culminating in a legendary career.
3. Genki Sudo vs. Butterbean: Sudo, unlike Minowa, didn’t engage in many freakshow fights. Against Butterbean, he showcased his skills, eventually tapping him out with a heel hook.
2. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Hong Man Choi: Fedor, one of the greatest fighters, faced the 7-foot-2 Choi in a bizarre yet memorable matchup. The image of Fedor hanging off Choi’s arm is iconic.
1. Dada 5000 vs. Kimbo Slice: This is one of my all-time favorite fights. While Kimbo was a legitimate fighter, Dada was not, making their clash a spectacle. Both men gassed quickly, leading to an absurd yet entertaining fight. Dada “died” during the bout, adding to its macabre allure.
In Toronto, this fight captivated everyone, sparking reactions of disbelief and wonder. It perfectly encapsulates MMA’s fun, silly, and magical essence.