Post fight interviews with UFC fighters are moments when we get some of the best, purest reactions from fighters that just went to war. Sometimes guys are just happy and humble, sometimes they use the opportunity to call somebody out, and sometimes, we get the best soundbites possible when an angry fighter speaks his mind.
The situation and context can play a crucial part in creating a great post fight interview. Be it a raging callout or a funny statement, here’s the list of the nine best UFC post fight interviews in history, ranked from 9th to 1st.
9. Al Iaquinta at UFC Fight Night: Fairfax
You might not have this as the funniest or the most memorable post-fight interview ever, but it stuck with me because I felt for Al Iaquinta.
After he had won a split decision against Jorge Masvidal at UFC Fight Night: Fairfax (2x 29-28 Iaquinta, 30-27 Masvidal), the fans started with “boos” as Raging Al was trying to give the interview.
“You booing me? You better not be booing me! I fought my ass off tonight. F*ck you!” – said Iaquinta to the fans before storming out of the cage.
Indeed, even if the decision was controversial, the guy gave it his all in the cage. Him and Masvidal put on a show, and he didn’t deserve that kind of behavior from the fans. After all, it wasn’t him making the decision in the end, even if the fans didn’t agree with it.
8. Derrick Lewis at UFC Vegas 6
Every time Derrick Lewis wins a fight, the fans eagerly wait for a legendary post-fight interview. One of those interviews came after Lewis won the fight against Aleksei Oleinik at UFC Vegas 6. Although he had won via TKO at the beginning of round two, it was nowhere near an easy win.
In fact, Lewis admitted to be saved by the bell at the end of round one. He also highlighted that he needed to take a dump as soon as possible, and made fun of his weight in a hilarious interview:
“Yeah. I gotta take a sh*t, mom.” – he said before realising he was on the air.
“Sh*t, he had that British bulldog, whatever the hell that was, the head submission he had on me, he had it pretty deep. I couldn’t breathe at all, so f*ck it, I’m just glad the time ran out. (…) I’ve got to get down at least 15 or 20 pounds. I’m not taking no more fights at 260-something.”
Never change, Derrick.
7. Georges St-Pierre at UFC 56
Georges St-Pierre is very likable and humble, so, logically, we never got the most exciting soundbites from him. However, his post-fight interview at UFC 56 after he knocked out Sean Sherk remained iconic to this day. Not because of what he said, but what he did.
He got down on his knees in classic GSP style and begged the UFC to give him another title shot against Matt Hughes. “Please, give me a title shot. I want it so bad, and I’m not gonna make a mistake this time. Thank you very much.”
I’m glad they listened to you, Georges because the rest is history.
6. Nick Diaz at UFC 137
Nick Diaz is a flamboyant character, so his post-fight interviews were always amusing. But, now and then, he’d give us something so memorable that it’d stick around for years, even decades. His post-fight interview after defeating BJ Penn at UFC 137 is certainly one of those moments.
“Where you at, Georges?” – Diaz screamed after the Fight of the Night victory, calling out the champ, Georges St-Pierre. That phrase became an iconic UFC moment that the fans repeated time and time again. The callout continued with Diaz saying: “I don’t think Georges is hurt. I think he’s scared to fight everyone right now.”
Not sure if he was right, but the fact that GSP was in the crowd at the event made the callout that much more iconic.
5. Brock Lesnar at UFC 100
Now, Brock Lesnar wasn’t in the UFC for a long time, but he left a huge mark, especially when selling fights and bringing that entertainment factor from the WWE. However, he got quite erratic and explosive after avenging his loss to Frank Mir at UFC 100 and defending the heavyweight title.
“Frank Mir had a horseshoe up his ass. I told him that a year ago, [now] I pulled that son of a b* out and beat him over the head with it.”
The fans booed as he continued to scream and rant in the octagon. “Keep going, I love it!”
He also went all out on the sponsors, too: “I’m gonna go home tonight, sit down with my friends and family. I’m going to be drinking Coors Light because Bud Light won’t pay me anything. Hell, I might even get on top of my wife tonight.”
It remains one of the most savage rants in UFC history. Love him or hate him, the guy knew how to put on a show.
4. Derrick Lewis at UFC Fight Night: Halifax
The Black Beast is on the list yet again. He fought Travis Browne at UFC Fight Night: Halifax and won via KO. He obviously had a lot of animosity towards Browne, which he showed in the post-fight interview. He still managed to be hilarious, though:
“He calls himself a man, but he likes to put his hands on women. I got much more heart than his ass. Where Ronda Rousey fine ass at?” – he stated, referring to Browne’s then-fiancee.
“I don’t want to hear nothing about fighting in the next three months… All the training and all the sex I’ve been getting, my body needs some time off.”
There was plenty more in this interview, so check it out if you want some Derrick Lewis gems.
3. Conor McGregor at UFC 205
The king of trash talk, Conor McGregor, had to find his way on this list. And boy, was it a great post-fight interview. His poise, his delivery, and the context of the situation just made it all the more memorable.
He knocked out Eddie Alvarez to become the first-ever UFC double champion but only got one belt around his waist, so he said: “Where the f*ck is my other belt?! I already have this one! Where’s my other f*ckin’ belt?!”
He went on a rant about everybody not being on his level, but the end of the interview was the most epic. “(…) I want to apologize… to absolutely nobody!” – he said as Dana White was handing him the second belt he requested.
It was the most McGregor-esque post-fight interview I can think of and absolutely one of the most memorable in UFC history.
2. Nate Diaz at UFC 196
It was the first Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor fight at UFC 196. Diaz was a huge underdog, while Conor was the favorite. Still, Diaz kept saying that McGregor is nowhere near his level, and if the fight gets to the ground, it’s game over.
He didn’t force the takedown, though. He fought Conor on the feet and did an amazing job having McGregor rocked, prompting him to shoot for a takedown.
It was a huge mistake, as Diaz quickly finished the fight on the mat. So, what made the post-fight interview so memorable?
“I ain’t surprised, motherf*ckers!”
1. Derrick Lewis at UFC 229
UFC 229 was the biggest UFC event in history, led by Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov. However, Derrick Lewis briefly took the spotlight with the most hilarious, memorable post-fight interview of all time.
As he knocked out Alexander Volkov just ten seconds before the end of a fight he was losing on points, the exhausted Lewis started to take off his shorts in the middle of the octagon. When Joe Rogan asked him what he was doing, Lewis replied:
“My balls was hot.” and the crowd went wild in laughter. Then, he continued with the jokes: “Donald Trump called me and told me I gotta knock this Russian motherf*cker out because they’re making him look bad on the news. Him and Putin and sh*t.”
He also joked about his cardio after Rogan asked if he thinks he deserves a title shot: “F*ck you talkin’ about right now? I ain’t trying to fight for no title with no gas tank like that, sh*t.”
To end it, he invited himself on Rogan’s podcast to “smoke some weed” together. He might not be the most technical fighter, but you have to love Black Beast’s sense of humor and his heart.
