While combat sports is predominantly about skillset and athleticism, there’s no doubt that trash-talking goes a long way toward making a career.
From boxing, to MMA, to WWE there have been some excellent trash talkers that have made careers out of what they can say on the microphone.
In the age of social media, it’s perhaps even more important for a fighter or performer to be able to deal some verbal jabs.
Twitter account Saged Up recently begged the question: “Who is the greatest trash talker of all time?”
And there are some serious contenders up there.
Advert
Of course, Conor McGregor was one of the most responded answers with the Irishman notorious for his skills in building a fight.
One fan tweeted: “Gotta put Conor McGregor up there lmao that man cooked Floyd Mayweather & Nate Diaz.”
Who could forget the infamous press conference for the Mayweather and McGregor fight where the MMA star went absolutely in on the undefeated boxer?
Or the interview of Nate Diaz and McGregor on the CNBC network where the former double-champ verbally annihilated the Stockton brawler and called him a ‘fat, skinny b***h’.
Advert
Another fan wrote: “Chael Sonnen perfected the art. GOAT on the mic.”
While he certainly toed the line between appropriate and inappropriate, you can’t argue he was one of the best to talk trash.
From MMA to WWE, one fan clearly made the case for the 16-time world champion John Cena being one of the best on the microphone.
They tweeted: “John Cena is definitely up there. My man was on The Rock’s nerves on a weekly basis.”
Cena and The Rock’s feud heading into WrestleMania 28 and 29 certainly elevated the star and showed why he was the face of the company for so many years.
Advert
The Rock himself, was mentioned quite a few times and there’s no doubt he’s probably the best to ever do it on the microphone in WWE.
Catchphrases such as ‘It doesn’t matter what you think’, meant he always had a one-liner to get on the nerves of opponents.
From the boxing world, one fan argued ‘Adrien Broner top 5’, while another made the claim for ‘Muhammad Ali by far.’
Of course, there was that famous video of Ali driving a bus to Sonny Liston’s house and using a megaphone to call him a ‘coward’.
Find a few more of the greatest trash-talkers who were suggested by fans below.
Topics: Boxing, MMA, UFC, WWE, Conor McGregor, John Cena, The Rock, Muhammad Ali
Jayden Collins