When Trash Talking Goes Wrong
Trash talking is as much a part of combat sports as the fights themselves. Fighters try to get inside each other's heads with bold claims and personal attacks. But when the bell rings, the trash talkers need to back up their words. This video compilation shows 10 examples of fighters failing hilariously when their trash talk blows up in their face.
The first clip features the notorious Conor McGregor. Known for his brash trash talk, he met his match against Khabib Nurmagomedov. Khabib dominated and submitted him, then went after McGregor's crew in a post-fight melee. It was a rude awakening for the normally cocky McGregor.
Next up is KZfaqr turned boxer Jake Paul, who had plenty to say about Tommy Fury leading up to their grudge match. But Paul apparently bit off more than he could chew, withdrawing from the fight and drawing accusations of cowardice.
Then there's Jason Solomon, who enters the ring rapping his own entrance song. He brags about his skills but gets brutally KO'd in just 9 seconds! Don't write checks with your mouth that your skills can't cash.
Irish fighter James Gallagher tries to channel his inner McGregor but instead ends up face down courtesy of a vicious punch from Ricky Bandejas. It's a classic case of misplaced confidence.
We also see an unnamed showboating fighter dancing and clowning around the ring. He pays the price when his opponent perfectly times a head kick to flatten him. Theatrics don't win fights.
Two towering heavyweights have an intense faceoff, but the intimidating posturing doesn't phase the other fighter. Size isn't everything, as the "not-so-big-now" guy proves.
Aaron Chalmers knocks out Alex Thompson, who had dubbed Chalmers a fraud at the weigh-in and wore it on his shirt. Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder.
Young buck Jose Aguayo snubs a handshake from veteran Corey Sandhagen, who teaches the disrespectful upstart a lesson in respect inside the Octagon.
Cocky contender Alexander Hernandez disses all-time great Cowboy Cerrone's age and experience at a press conference. But Cowboy knocks out the loudmouth to end the fight in emphatic fashion.
Finally, James Vick ridicules Justin Gaethje's brawling style, calling him a human punching bag. But it's Vick who ends up separated from consciousness courtesy of a Gaethje bomb.
When all is said and done inside the combat sports world, the fights settle the score. Fighters can talk all they want before stepping into battle, but the undisputed truth comes down to skills. Talk is just talk. As these epic trash talking fails prove, it's the fighters who walk the walk that get the last laugh.