Fans debate who the greatest trash talker of all time is, there are some serious contenders

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?”

Who is the greatest trash talker of all time?

— Saged Up (@SagED_UP) May 9, 2023

And there are some serious contenders up there.

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?

Gotta put Conor McGregor up there lmao that man cooked Floyd Mayweather & Nate Diaz 😭🤣💀 https://t.co/LEsAxDnh47 pic.twitter.com/OQhIRukkAw

— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) May 9, 2023

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’.

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.”

John Cena is definitely up there. My man was on The Rock’s nerves on a weekly basis 😂😂😂pic.twitter.com/207UqkT8se https://t.co/VNNhzO3BM5

— Public Enemies Podcast (@TheEnemiesPE3) May 9, 2023

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.

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.

Rocky up there. https://t.co/cHSTKJ1HML pic.twitter.com/e3jqcQ39qd

— C.J. (@PositivelyCJ) May 10, 2023

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.’

Adrien broner top 5 😭💀 https://t.co/LEsAxDnh47 pic.twitter.com/EKpKIh7MbV

— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) May 9, 2023

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’.

Muhammad Ali BY FAR. Sonny Liston said forget the gloves and upped it on him https://t.co/cHSTKJ1HML pic.twitter.com/Lrq11WkKZl

— C.J. (@PositivelyCJ) May 10, 2023

Find a few more of the greatest trash-talkers who were suggested by fans below.

Idk 2000 Stone Cold Steve Austin was in final form on the mic and ain’t look back since https://t.co/9TkxrO6Mcx pic.twitter.com/il25i666jb

— Joshua Gresham aka “Gresh” (@JoshGreshamORG) May 10, 2023

and honestly it’s not even close pic.twitter.com/1zJjs8jL49 https://t.co/zfw7vN4kqg

— Connoisseur of Combat (@ConOfCombat) May 10, 2023

Kobe Bryant deserves to be in this conversation with the shit he was saying to people
pic.twitter.com/ALZVFK8QZO https://t.co/JRzNrNkwFJ

— I have so many questions? (@english_shamar) May 9, 2023

Beside Muhammad Ali, @RicFlairNatrBoy is the biggest trash talker of all time! https://t.co/PpyHAIVbXD pic.twitter.com/5crktN5ZRw

— Travoris Black🤟🏿 (@kingblaq80) May 9, 2023