Spectacle is deeply woven into the fabric of mixed martial arts. While the sport has aimed for legitimacy over the past two decades, its history is undeniably rooted in the bizarre and the unusual. Promoters, much like modern-day P.T. Barnums, understand the inherent appeal of witnessing something truly out of the ordinary—especially when it unfolds within the confines of a combat sport.
The realm of MMA recently added another memorable chapter to its history of `freakshow` bouts when former World`s Strongest Man Eddie Hall swiftly defeated fellow strongman Mariusz Pudzianowski in a mere 30 seconds at KSW 105. This latest cartoonish clash sparked a reflection: What are the greatest `freakshow` fights ever seen in MMA?
Defining a `freakshow fight` isn`t a precise science; it`s more of a subjective `vibe,` akin to the famous definition of obscenity. This broad scope means there`s a vast pool of potential candidates for such a list. To narrow it down, certain criteria were established:
Promotions known primarily for their outlandish matchups, like Fight Circus and Dogfight Wild, were excluded. The list also steered clear of fights orchestrated by very small promoters that felt more exploitative than genuinely spectacular. Crucially, this list focuses exclusively on *real* MMA fights, not celebrity or influencer boxing. Each included bout features at least one genuinely unusual or mismatched participant.
After extensive discussion and debate, the list was refined to the following top 10, along with a couple of honorable mentions.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Zuluzinho
One of the charms of the Pride FC era was that it wasn`t *always* about pitting the absolute best against the best. Sometimes, watching top fighters engage in entertaining, one-sided `squash matches` was part of the fun. Fedor Emelianenko had a few such bouts in Pride, but the clash with Zuluzinho holds a special place. This was the fight I used to show people way back when to illustrate why MMA was so compelling.
“Look,” I`d say, “this short, somewhat chubby guy is about to fight that gigantic human being. Watch what happens!” It`s arguably true that this fight did more to build the legend of Fedor than another predictable win over a standard contender ever could have.
Mirko Cro Cop vs. Dos Caras Jr.
You can`t help but feel a touch of pity for Dos Caras Jr. (later known as WWE`s Alberto Del Rio) in this matchup. A legitimate amateur wrestler and a professional wrestling personality, he had found a decent sideline with a few MMA victories under his belt. His notoriety led to him being matched against the formidable fighter and kickboxer Mirko Cro Cop, a challenge he was utterly unprepared for.
Mexican wrestling tradition dictated that Del Rio couldn`t appear in public without his mask, and that luchador gear likely did him no favors in spotting Cro Cop`s infamous head kicks once they began flying. The image of him slumped in the corner after being flattened by one of Mirko`s legs is truly a sad sight.
Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki
Lee: Ali vs. Inoki is perfectly placed here not just for its historical significance to sideshow attractions, but because it`s woven into the very fabric of MMA itself. Aesthetically? Perhaps not so much.
The year was 1976. Ali was nearing the end of his championship reign, while Inoki was still establishing the foundation of New Japan Pro Wrestling with his strong style. Both were national icons, making this exhibition bout a truly global event.
Regrettably, the actual contest was a dull affair, with Inoki spending fifteen rounds lying on his back, kicking at Ali`s legs, while Ali was either unwilling or unable to engage on the ground. The heavily hyped match was conducted under special rules that severely restricted both legends, neither of whom spoke highly of the event afterwards.
However, the fight`s impact is undeniable, reportedly drawing 54 million viewers in Japan, two million U.S. pay-per-view buys, $20 million in U.S. closed-circuit screenings, and an estimated 1.4 billion viewers worldwide.
It may also have been the first major mainstream blending of martial arts styles, allowing a direct line to be drawn from this fight to the origins of the UFC (and, strangely, to the fight at number one on our list).
Tim Sylvia vs. Ray Mercer
Meshew: When this fight was scheduled in 2009, it was widely condemned as the wrong kind of freakshow. Tim Sylvia was a former UFC heavyweight champion, and although on a two-fight losing streak, those losses were against legends Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Fedor Emelianenko. Mercer, conversely, was a former heavyweight boxing champion with no MMA experience and was 48 years old. On paper, it appeared to be blatant and distasteful exploitation of a fighter. Then they fought.
Sylvia arrived visibly heavier than usual and was promptly knocked flat by the very first punch Mercer threw—a clean right hand that sent Sylvia crashing to the canvas. What was anticipated as a quick win for Sylvia instantly became a humiliating low point in a former UFC champion`s career.
Gabi Garcia vs. Yumika Hotta
Lee: For all her considerable achievements in jiu-jitsu, Gabi Garcia seemed uniquely built for MMA. A massive figure weighing over 200 pounds, the real challenge was the scarcity of reasonably matched opponents once she committed to the sport.
RIZIN matchmakers did their best, initially finding completely inexperienced opponents. For her fourth fight, they settled on joshi pro wrestling legend Yumika Hotta. The 49-year-old Hotta (who replaced the even older 52-year-old legend Shinobu Kandori!) lasted just 49 farcical seconds before being grounded and finished. Garcia fought again, but this specific bout largely encapsulated the awkwardness of this experiment.
Mariusz Pudzianowski vs. Bob Sapp
Meshew: Credit goes to Mariusz Pudzianowski. When he transitioned to MMA, he could have easily become solely a freakshow fighter, and few would have batted an eye. Instead, the five-time World’s Strongest Man genuinely applied himself to the sport and evolved beyond just being a novelty. That said, “Pudz” still participated in some of the sport`s biggest spectacles over the past 15 years, and fully embraced that role when he defeated Bob Sapp at KSW 19 in 2012.
While Sapp had moments as a legitimate fighter, by 2012 he had fully embraced the freakshow persona and was deep into a losing streak (which eventually reached 14 consecutive losses). This fight unfolded exactly as expected, with Pudzianowski steamrolling Sapp (in a manner eerily similar to how Eddie Hall later defeated Pudzianowski), officially passing the `Goliath` torch to the World`s Strongest Man legend.
Randy Couture vs. James Toney
Lee: Perhaps the most straightforward fight ever booked. Randy Couture made no secret of his strategy against former boxing champion James Toney: he would shoot for a takedown, get him to the ground, and demonstrate why Toney`s foray into being a UFC fighter was a miscalculation.
This was an amusing and mostly harmless spectacle that co-headlined UFC 118 in 2010. It was so transparently a mismatch that Dana White put even less effort into marketing it than usual, openly stating Couture would win. Still, the classic MMA vs. Boxing narrative sold itself, even if the outcome revealed nothing definitive about which combat sport reigns supreme.
Daiju Takase vs. Emmanuel Yarbrough
Meshew: Some events require little explanation, and this is one of them. Daiju Takase, primarily a kickboxer making his MMA debut at Pride 3, faced former sumo wrestler Emmanuel Yarbrough. Takase weighed 169 pounds; Yarbrough tipped the scales at over 600 pounds. While difficult to confirm definitively, this is likely the largest weight disparity in MMA history.
And the fight itself is utterly ridiculous. Takase, wisely recognizing Yarbrough`s lack of foot speed, simply circled the ring, darting in to land a punch or kick before quickly moving away to avoid the massive opponent—the ultimate `stick and move` strategy. Before long, Yarbrough was visibly exhausted just from moving around, making it seem like this would be the most absurd fight ever.
Or perhaps he was playing possum! Takase, seeing Yarbrough fading, grew overconfident and shot for a takedown. Yarbrough sprawled, suddenly finding himself on top with his immense weight advantage. Things looked dangerous, but Yarbrough was simply too spent. Takase managed to slither out from underneath and then finished Yarbrough, as much due to the giant`s exhaustion as from the strikes.
Ikuhisa Minowa (“Minowaman”) Fights
Lee: This list could easily have been comprised solely of Minowaman`s fights, and nobody would have complained.
Ikuhisa Minowa was a sight to behold with his lean 5-foot-9 frame clad in red trunks. But the real show began when he was put in a ring with an opponent at least a foot taller or 300 pounds heavier (or both!). With clear pro wrestling flair, Minowaman consistently took the fight to his colossal opponents, often employing a well-timed takedown or an entirely gratuitous dropkick—anything for the fans.
While the Giant Silva and Butterbean fights are highlighted here, his legendary 2009 Super Hulk Grand Prix run, where he finished Bob Sapp, Hong Man Choi, and Sokoudjou, also belongs in this category. A true legend of the spectacle.
Genki Sudo vs. Butterbean
Meshew: Butterbean might be known as the “King of the Four Rounders” in boxing, but he also had a surprisingly substantial MMA career, which effectively began with this fight.
Unlike Minowaman, Genki Sudo didn`t participate in many `freakshow` fights, but he made this one count. He spent the bout circling the ring, landing potshots and showboating against the powerful puncher. At one point, Sudo even ran off the ropes before launching a flying sidekick at Butterbean, who caught him and ended up on top. This proved to be a bad decision for Butterbean, as Sudo immediately transitioned to a heel hook and secured the submission victory, proving once again that David can conquer Goliath.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Hong Man Choi
Lee: Arguably the greatest fighter of all time, Fedor Emelianenko, also generously gifted us some of the best `freak` fights ever. Current heavyweights could learn a thing or two.
While his incredibly fast demolition of Zuluzinho was enjoyable, it`s hard to top the sheer bizarreness of his duel with the 7-foot-2 Choi. This was a unique chapter in “The Last Emperor`s” story; he was past his epic rivalries with Mirko Cro Cop and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and transitioning towards taking on UFC champions. So, naturally, what else was left but to slay some giants?
Emelianenko vs. Choi produced one of the most enduring images of a career full of memorable visuals: Fedor, the world`s best heavyweight, momentarily looking like a child hanging off of Choi`s massive arm. It belongs in The Louvre.
Kimbo Slice vs. Dada 5000
Meshew: I`ve stated on record that this is one of my top five favorite fights of all time, making it an obvious choice for the greatest `freakshow` bout ever. While Kimbo Slice was a legitimate mixed martial artist, Dada 5000 was decidedly not, and that was part of the appeal. These two figures, famous as `street fighting legends,` were performers first and fighters second. Their legendary pre-fight press conference remains one of the most absurd and incredible pieces of theater the sport has ever produced.
Then there was Dada`s infamous media day workout, where it was painfully clear he was completely unprepared for a sanctioned fight. He attempted to dismiss it as a clever strategy to hide his skills.
Of course, when the first round began, it became obvious Dada wasn`t faking; he was simply out of shape. Both men gassed almost instantly. What followed was arguably the most ludicrous and entertaining eleven minutes of fighting you could ever witness. To their credit, both continued to attempt to fight to the best of their limited abilities, but those abilities vanished once their cardio failed. The fight ultimately concluded when Slice landed about 15 unanswered punches with the force of a gentle breeze, and Dada simply stumbled away and collapsed from pure exhaustion.
Later, it was revealed that Dada briefly “died” during the fight, meaning we were all witnesses to what could have been one of the most grim and awful scenes in MMA history. But “close” only counts in certain scenarios, and since the worst didn`t happen, we can fondly remember the most outrageous spectacle MMA has ever delivered.
“YOU FOOL!” There truly could be no other choice for number one.
Lee: When I used to work in the office, we`d occasionally put fights on a big screen. Only two fights ever caused everyone to stop what they were doing, get out of their seats, and gather around to watch: Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz 1 and, yes, Kimbo vs. Dada.
The collective reaction was less “wow, what a spectacular display of skill and athleticism!” and more “my god, what is happening? Is this even allowed?”. But the effect was the same. Imaginations were captured. And every single person watching knew that after witnessing this clash of titans, they would forever be changed.
When I think of words like “fun,” “silly,” “absurd,” “magical,” or even “uncomfortable”—all elements that make MMA unique—this is and will always be the first fight that comes to mind.
