5 Questionable tattoos in UFC history
UFC fighters come in various forms. Some are more reminiscent of former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and two-time welterweight title challenger Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson. Neither one has tattoos and both are known for being more religious than their contemporaries.
Other fighters, however, express themselves in different ways. The likes of Justin Tafa and Tai Tuivasa have tribal tattoos that pay homage to their Samoan roots. But that isn't the case with all UFC fighters who have tattoos. Some have tattoos due to a simple love for body art.
Unfortunately, there is a class of mixed martial artists who have questionable tattoos that are either hilarious in nature or downright bizarre. Some of these fighters are current champions, others are legends, and others are simply fighters who fill their division's rankings.
#5. Ian Loveland, former UFC bantamweight
No one but MMA historians are likely to know who Ian Loveland is. The former UFC bantamweight has never been an elite fighter or even a noteworthy one. His record as a professional fighter currently consists of 18 wins and 10 losses. It isn't the worst record in the world, but it certainly isn't the best.
His highest-profile fights have been against four-time UFC flyweight title challenger Joseph Benavidez and former Bellator and Rizin bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi. Unfortunately, he fought under Dana White's banner for a total of three fights, scoring just one win before being released from the promotion.
While most won't remember him for his performances, some might remember 'The Barn Owl' for a truly bizarre tattoo: a large trout that takes up his entire back. At first glance, the tattoo seems random. But upon deeper thought, it's contradictory. He has a fish tattoo but is nicknamed after a bird.
#4. Wanderlei Silva, former UFC light heavyweight
MMA legend Wanderlei Silva is one in a long line of Brazilian standouts in mixed martial arts. During his prime, the former PRIDE middleweight champion was known for his vicious knockout power. This earned him a record number of wins and knockouts in the now-defunct Japanese promotion.
He is also the owner of PRIDE's longest unbeaten streak. Fans, however, know him for his heated rivalry with Chael Sonnen and his quadrilogy with Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson that saw both fighters score two KO wins over each other. But as he grew older, 'The Axe Murderer' founded his own team.
In 2007, he founded the Wand Fight Team. To further promote the team, Silva tattooed its logo on his right shoulder. Given that the logo is meant to symbolize Silva's face, it adds an extra layer of peculiarity.
#3. Conor McGregor, UFC lightweight
Conor McGregor is the most well-known fighter in MMA history. The former UFC double champion is responsible for various historical occurrences. He flattened José Aldo in 13 seconds to capture the featherweight title back in 2015. Additionally, he spearheaded one of the promotion's most heated feuds.
Does Conor McGregor have his own name tattooed on his chest in case he gets lost? https://t.co/UMpe9G0oy8
At UFC 229, 'The Notorious' locked horns with Khabib Nurmagomedov in the most successful PPV that Dana White's banner has ever seen. Beyond his exploits inside the octagon, the Irishman is also known for his extensive body art. His most prominent tattoo is his gorilla chest piece.
Below that tattoo, however, the Irishman has one of his most questionable tattoos. He tattooed his own surname across his midsection. It's a bizarre move for anyone, as if people need a reminder of what a fighter's name is. More than anything, however, it's a reflection of how large the Irishman's ego is.
#2. Colin Fletcher, former UFC lightweight
The promotion has had a variety of strange characters throughout its history. Colin Fletcher, however, is among the strangest. He is a former competitor on The Ultimate Fighter, but hardly anyone remembers 'The Freakshow' for his exploits on the show. Instead, he is most notable for his appearance.
Speaking of crazy tattoos who remembers Colin Fletcher 😣 https://t.co/p4Pt5rKacd
The Englishman's entire aesthetic was modeled after vampires. His mouthpiece was designed to resemble a vampire's fangs. Meanwhile, his tattoos appear to indicate a deep interest in monsters and mythical creatures. His chest piece, for example, is a monstrous spider.
Instead of a traditional spider, its body is a heart, and it features large, clawed hands that cover his chest and stretches over his shoulders.
#1. Jamahal Hill, UFC light heavyweight champion
Jamahal Hill is the reigning champion in the 205 lbs weight class. He recently captured the divisional throne in a thrilling bout against former titleholder Glover Teixeira. His blend of punching power and athleticism has carried him to the peak of success in the light heavyweight division.
#MMATwitter
In congratulations of his shot at the *Vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against Glover Teixiera, I’d like to dedicate this tweet to Jamahal Hill’s horrible chest tattoo.
One didn’t know something so bad could be etched on the human form. https://t.co/zHsb9ZKgoO
While he is yet to defend his title, a matchup against former divisional kingpin Jiří Procházka is being targeted by the promotion. Despite his status as an elite competitor, 'Sweet Dreams' also has one of the most unintentionally comical tattoos under Dana White's banner.
He has a thumbs-up tattoo on the outer edges of his chest. Whatever the tattoo is meant to convey is unknown, but it's random and unintentionally lighthearted.