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A stare down, for those who do not know the term, is when two fighters square off, usually for a photo opportunity before a fight. Some say that the stare down after weigh-ins is an art form and maybe one of the best parts of an MMA showdown. There have been some memorable ones like Wanderlei Silva vs everyone, Clay Guida vs. Diego Sanchez, and some not so great like Heath Herring vs. Yoshihiro Nakao. Herring knocked Nakao out cold after Nakao kissed him during a face to face pre-fight briefing from the referee. Pro MMA Now takes a look at some of the masters of the art and one might surprise you.

Randy Couture

Randy has stood across from opponents like Brock Lesnar and Antonio Nogueira without breaking eye contact. He stared at them like he was peering in to their very souls. Randy was a fearless fighter and backed down from no one. He won when by most accounts he should have lost against foes like Tim Sylvia, Tito Ortiz, and Chuck Liddell. That may be why he was not intimidated stepping in to the cage against bigger. and more importantly – younger guys.

Wanderlei Silva

There has never been another fighter that was as terrifying as Wanderlei Silva was during his reign as a PrideFC champion. Rolling his clasped hands back and forth and bobbing his head with eyes that seemed to be announcing that he had bad intentions, Silva scared people watching at home as well. His in ring style matched his pre-fight intensity. The older, UFC based Wanderlei Silva is still a force to be reckoned with and a true master of the stare down.

BJ Penn

This is hands down the most fearless fighter aside from Randy Couture. BJ has fought in pretty much every weight division he could manage. He is listed as having fought featherweight(upcoming bout with Frankie Edgar, Lightweight, Welterweight, and Middleweight. I am pretty sure he would fight at Super Heavyweight if he was provoked. BJ seems to eye everyone he squares off against as targets on a hit list. There is never a moment where BJ looked the slightest bit intimidated even against much heavier opponents like Georges St. Pierre and Lyoto Machida.

Diego Sanchez

Diego makes this list because he is one scary looking guy when he walks to the center of the cage. There is an inner beat waiting to emerge or at least that is what it looks like to me. He is unflinching and unforgiving in the Octagon.

Dana White vs. The World

Dana has had to face criticism from politicians, fans, athletic commissions, and anyone else who wanted to take potshots at the UFC over the years. His mastery of the f-bomb and unabashed use of it in mainstream media is now legendary, and consequently now accepted as the norm. Watch interviews when reporters or talk show hosts try and get cute and starky. Watch Dana muster up some of the best bravado in sports history and tell me you don’t agree.

Did I miss someone? Who is the best to you?


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