The Ground and Pound 7.25.08: The 10 Best MMA Staredowns

Posted by John Curry on 07.25.2008

The answer to a request from a reader is here, the Ground and Pound’s Top 10 Staredowns.


Last week I decided to take the concept of the top ten list and create something a little different with the top ten submission mma fighters in my opinion. One of the readers of that column presented me with an interesting challenge, they wanted to see what my top ten MMA staredowns were. At first I thought this would be rather easy. Truth of the matter was while some of them were easy it became a little more difficult as I went on. What makes a great staredown? Is it intimidation or lack of intimidation? Should it be funny or scary? I wasn't really quite sure but it all came to me. So without further adieu I present my top tenMMA staredowns of all time and my reasons for it.

10. Anything by Fedor
I could put a picture or video up here of Fedor's staredowns but they would pretty much be all the same, a blank brick wall stare that says you mean absolutely nothing to me and that I will kick the ever living hell out of you so do not try to intimidate me whatsoever. Anyone who has seen Fedor's stares show you that this man means business and could really give half a monkey's nipple about whether or not he is popular with the fans or making money. This man is the master of the blank stare.


9. Don Frye vs. Yoshihiro Takayama


This staredown was absolutely amazing for me to watch. There is something about Don Frye that makes me feel like I would probably pee a little if I was in a staredown with him. I mean the staredown between the two of these guys looks as if at any moment a murder could happen and you would have absolutely no clue who would start it.

8.Jerrel Venetian vs. Hirotaka Yokoi


This staredown was an absolute nightmare. At any given point I was just waiting for Yokoi to slap the spit out of this guys mouth but what he does makes this one of the greatest MMA staredowns of all time.

7. Anything by Cro Cop


There could be an argument made between whether or not Cro Cop and Fedor have the same staredowns, but the reality is that Cro Cops stare downs are scary in and of themselves but you have to consider the fact that he shows his respect for his opponent through his staredowns could really change the way you enter a match. Great psychology in his staredowns earns him a spot on the top ten list.


6.Anything by Charles "Krazy Horse" Bennett


Bennett may not be the highest caliber of fighter in the world but his staredowns are hilarious from every aspect. He completely disrespects the entire sport of MMA but makes staredowns very entertaining. Whether you love him or hate him this is staredowns at their best.


5.Anderson Silva vs. Lee Murray


Why would you want to fight Silva in the first place is beyond me, then to take that to another level by just taunting him during the staredown that led to the entire fight almost happening at that very instant says a world to how this staredown ended up on this list.


4.Anything by Wanderlei Silva


Wanderlei's staredowns just piss everyone off. The bobbing and weaving and bobbing and weaving and smiling and shit talking and bobbing and weaving is just the pinnacle of taunting during a staredown with successful results most of the time. Top notch staredowns.


3.Eastman vs. Rampage


"Ghetto Superstar…that is what we are…" is the best way to describe this staredown. I have seen a lot of ghetto fights man and this is exactly how they start. Two dudes as close to each other in a hetero way getting ready to throw punches full of hatred. Got to love this.

2.Don Frye vs. James Thompson


James Thompson has some of the craziest staredowns in the MMA world to begin with. Add Don Frye to the situation and you have one explosive staredown ready to happen. That is exactly what happened when these two met up in the center of the ring. Before any bell ever rang Frye would have a cut on his head and the battle worthy of National Geographic would happen. Just pure hatred and ego here from Thompson trying to prove he could cause Frye to break, which did not happen.


1. Heath Herring's Kiss


How anyone could argue that this was not the best MMA staredown of all time is beyond me. This is the pinnacle of trying to psyche someone out backfiring on you. The funniest part about this is not the kiss in and of itself but Herring's behavior prior to knocking him out. This just screamed "I really wish you didn't do that." Lesson to learn: Don't kiss Herring.

Until next week don't forget to leave your top ten list with your comments and head over and join my Ground and Pound Army at John Curry's Myspace. NO ONE IS DENIED!! You can also check out my new blog which I discuss what it is like training weekly at the Bullpen MMA School here in Canton, Ohio.