When a MMA referee allows a fight to go on while one fighter is being beaten badly, fans say the ref is letting the fighter be a warrior. The idea is that although a fighter is being dominated they are fighting on, which makes them "a warrior", while many fans believe the ref should step in a stop the fight. The phrase originated referee Mario Yamasaki was asked about why it took so long for him to stop a one-sided beating between Valentina Shevchenko and Priscila Cachoeira, he said he was "letting her be a warrior."
Dude, the fight is a one-sided beating, the ref should stop the fight. No, he's just letting her be a warrior.
Mario Yamasaki's Last UFC Appearance
Sea Level Cain is Cain Velasquez at his best - at sea level. Cain Velasquez is known for having great cardio, but when he fought in Mexico City, which is at very high altitude, he gassed out early and lost to Fabricio Werdum. People think it must have been the altitude, so Sea Level Cain is born.
Jorge Masvidal answering a reporter's question about his two follow up punches after brutally ko’ing Ben Askren with a jumping knee. The punches were landed after the opponent was clearly knocked unconscious, much reminiscent of the flying bomb Dan Henderson landed on a stiffened Michael Bisping .
Jorge Masvidal explains why his punches to Ben Askren were 'very necessary'
Early in Dustin Poirier's career his hair was in a buzzcut, but at some point he grew his hair a bit and added a little bit of style, saying that one advantage he has over his opponents is that his hair is "Salon Quality". UFC fans believe Poirier has performed better since receiving his new haircut, and have nicknamed the new iteration of Dustin "Salon Quality Poirier".
Dustin Poirier: "I'm a better boxer, I can scramble better, better Jui Jitsu, longer, faster, I can dance better, better looking, my hair is salon quality."
UFC Fight Night Calgary: Camino al Octágono
Anytime UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis is on his back with an opponent on top of him, he is often able to just stand up with seeming ease. This has driven comments that he doesn't use or need any BJJ technique, he "just stands up."
Derrick Lewis (In a post fight interview on how he gets up from grappling exchanges): "Shit, I ain't all that technical and all, but shit, I'm getting up. Fuck it."
Derrick "Just Get Up" Lewis
Derrick Lewis Saying Funny Stuff
After losing to Matt Hughes, George St-Pierre stated he was not impressed and wanted a rematch. However, he did it in the most polite way which is typical of GSP.
Joe Rogan: "Here's Georges." Georges St-Pierre: "I'm very glad you won that fight, Matt, but I'm not impressed by your performance and I look forward to fighting you in the near future."
GSP is not impressed
To fight at a faster pace than your opponent can maintain, tiring them out. Nick Diaz is a fighter known to weaponize pace. His training involved lots of cardio, so he was able to have higher output than his opponents during fights, often successfully tiring them out and overcoming them.
"Poirier has never been given credit for his ability to weaponize pace. Dustin's former opponents will talk about how hard and in your face Poirier is." - Chael Sonnen