Jackass star Steve-O reveals the weirdest UFC GOAT list in history which includes 'not Alex, but Michel Pereira'
17/09/2024 16:50
Over the past few weeks, the MMA community has been embroiled in a heated debate over the 'Mount Rushmore' of those fighters dubbed the 'Greatest of All Time' – and it's safe to say that some lists make more sense than others.
Yet who you deem worthy of being one of the four faces of the UFC GOAT Mount Rushmore depends entirely on your bleating criteria, with the legendary stuntman and comedian Steve-O offering an unusual but entertaining alternative.
Steve-O reveals a rather strange UFC Mount Rushmore GOAT list
Last week, UFC President Dana White revealed his Mount Rushmore GOAT list, with some particularly big names being missed off as he instead focused more on the promotional side of the sport, rather than the title accolades.
"You have to go with Jon Jones, you have to go with Ronda Rousey – women would not be fighting in the UFC if it wasn't for her – you have to put GSP in there and absolutely, positively Conor McGregor; he elevated and changed the game globally."
Unsurprisingly, MMA fans were quick to criticize his GOAT rankings, although a significantly more surprising list came from iconic member of the Jackass crew, Stephen Glover, aka Steve-O.
Speaking with Ariel Helwani on a recent episode of Steve-O's Wild Ride Podcast, the veteran stuntman revealed that whilst his GOAT list also starts with 'Bones', it quickly takes a rather divisive turn.
"Of course, Jon Jones (as number one), you know what, you know what I really like? The way that Michel Pereira did and continues to do – not Alex [Pereira], but Michel Pereira – the backflips in the middle of the fight, the guy is doing acrobatics.
"My criteria are the excitement factor," argued the film and TV superstar, who explained that his version of the Keystone landmark is based on the thrill of watching something never attempted before in MMA.
"There's nothing more exciting to me than a dominant fighter just breakdancing his way into an octagon where once the bell rings and the fight is underway, he's literally doing backflips onto his opponent.
"And so recently, Michel Pereira was almost disqualified for doing a front-flip illegal knee to the head of a downed opponent – that's so exciting to me!"
Whilst Steve-O noted that there isn't anything wrong with Dana White's rankings, it all comes down to what your criteria is for a 'Greatest of All Time' type fighter.
"Clearly, you've got to ask yourself what your criteria is, there are people who built the sport, which is Dana's priority, but for [me it's about] exciting moments – so who else? Showmanship, pazazz – I'm thinking like when I have been like 'Oh man, I've never seen that before'."
"Sean O'Malley, yeah, I'm a tremendous fan of Sean O'Malley, his showmanship is top-notch, and I think that by that measure I should include Conor [McGregor]."
Yet he couldn't include McGregor on the list and not acknowledge the excitement of his once-expected return opponent, Michael Chandler – who is now set to rematch Charles Oliveira in the co-main event of UFC 309, headlined by Jon Jones' heavyweight title clash with Stipe Miocic.
"I mean dude, how about Michael Chandler? I mean for sheer excitement! Right… Now I got to kick Jon Jones off."
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Whilst it's hard to argue that O'Malley, McGregor, or Pereira would deserve a spot on a traditional Mount Rushmore, the case for GOAT being those who elevate the heart rate rather than the game is an interesting one.
What do you think about the legendary comedian's UFC Mount Rushmore GOAT rankings?
