How Do Fighters Get Their Nickname?
Every great nickname has an incredible story behind it! In the Octagon, UFC fighter nicknames hold incredible power, evoking both respect and excitement.
UFC fighters are celebrated for their dynamic fighting skills and imposing personas, each carrying a captivating nickname that adds to the spectacle. These monikers aren't just words - they symbolize tales of strength, skill, and, sometimes, awe-inspiring dominance.
It's all part of what makes the UFC an electrifying and legendary mixed martial arts arena.
Humble Beginnings and Interesting Origins
Before discussing specific examples, it’s worth understanding how these nicknames come to life. UFC nicknames are rarely random.
They often reflect a fighter’s personality, fighting style, personalized MMA gear, or even an inside joke.
Some are given by teammates during training, while others stem from a fighter’s reputation in the octagon. In a sport where identity matters, these names become an essential part of a fighter's brand.
The Stories You've Been Waiting For
Let’s explore how some of the most iconic nicknames in UFC history came to be and what they reveal about the fighters. Then, use our generator to get your own nickname at the end!
- "Borrachinha" aka "The Eraser"
- "The Korean Zombie"
- "The Dentist"
- "The Dream"
- "Fluffy"
- "Uncle Creepy"
- "Semi the Jedi"
- “Raging Panda”
- "Queen of Violence"
- "The Last Stylebender"
1. Paulo Costa - "Borrachinha" aka "The Eraser"
Paulo Costa's first nickname, "Borrachinha," was given to him because of his older brother, Carlos, who was also a fighter. Carlos' nickname, after being translated to English, was "Rubber Man" due to his flexibility.
Therefore, it made sense for Paulo to be called "Borrachinha," which he says translates to "Little Rubber" or "Little Rubber Man." When Costa signed with the UFC, he wanted a new nickname, as "Borrachinha" didn't translate well into English.
His coach, Eric Albarracin, suggested a new name loosely based on an Arnold Schwarzenegger film: "The Eraser." Costa stated, "They are both special to me. In Portuguese, they mean almost the same thing, so it's OK to me.
But 'The Eraser' is like a new version of Paulo." Costa sees "The Eraser" as an appropriate label for one of the most dangerous fighters in boxing.
2. Chan Sung Jung - "The Korean Zombie"
Chan Sung Jung, also known as "The Korean Zombie," earned his nickname early in his fighting career. Known for his relentless fighting style in the Octagon, Jung's teammates likened him to a zombie that kept moving forward without rest or pause.
During his time fighting in Japan, a promoter added "Korean" to his nickname, and "The Korean Zombie" was born.
Jung himself has embraced the nickname, stating that it reflects his constant drive to seek out tough opponents and never back down.
Unlike many fighters who are primarily promoted using their real names, Jung is widely recognized by his nickname, which has become synonymous with his fighting identity.
3. Darren Stewart - "The Dentist"
Darren Stewart has mixed feelings about his nickname, "The Dentist". Despite loving the nickname, he actually dreads the dentist due to his fear of needles.
The nickname originated when he returned to his gym after knocking out a few of his opponent's teeth in his final amateur fight, and someone jokingly called him "the Dentist".
Despite initially thinking it was cheesy, the name stuck after he won his pro debut with a first-round knockout, and people began associating him with his ability to inflict damage in the Octagon.
Although there have been instances of confusion where people have mistaken him for an actual dentist, he has embraced the nickname as it has become an integral part of his persona and leaves a lasting impression on his opponents and fans before a fight.
4. Chase Hooper - "The Dream"
Chase Hooper began fighting when he was a youngster and has always been active in the sport. Despite his tough appearance, he began searching for a nickname that suited him.
Instead of working a regular teenage job, he enjoyed fighting in casinos.
His coaches and teammates at Combat Sports and Fitness settled on "The Dream" as his nickname, which may or may not have been at least partly inspired by the Katy Perry song. (Don't quote us on that.)
Hooper explained that it was also a joke, as he was a shy and awkward kid, making a nickname like "The Axe Murderer" less suitable for his personality.
5. Anthony Hernandez - "Fluffy"
Anthony Hernandez was getting ready for a kickboxing tournament when he was 15 years old. One of his coaches wrote a word on his right arm - "FLUFFY."
At that time, weighing between 240 and 250 pounds, his coaches were teasing him. A decade later, the nickname stuck.
During his fighting debut, his coaches jokingly suggested that he use "Fluffy" as his nickname. He went along with it, and it stuck.
His friends refer to him as "Fluff." When Hernandez introduces himself to coaches using his nickname, they often end up calling him Anthony instead.
"It's easy to remember," Hernandez said. "It's catchy. No one expects it."
6. Ian McCall - "Uncle Creepy"
Ian McCall's friend's kid started calling him Uncle Creepy, and somehow it caught on. Even though McCall didn't love the nickname, it gained attention and became associated with his fighting career.
Now retired and an outspoken proponent of psychedelic therapy, McCall still has a nice mustache that matches his fighter nickname.
7. Matthew Semelsberger - "Semi the Jedi"
Welterweight UFC fighter, Matthew Semelsberger has always been known as "Semi." It all started when he was a kid playing football, and a coach didn't want to bother saying his long last name.
When he tried to use "Semi" as his username on Instagram and other social media platforms, it wasn't available, so he brainstormed and decided to go with "The Jedi" because it rhymed and sounded catchy.
When he's not busy, the former Division I-AA football player enjoys playing Dungeons & Dragons and is a big fan of Star Wars. Semi the Jedi even has inspirational quotes from the fictional character Obi-Wan Kenobi saved in his phone.
One of his favorite Obi-Wan quotes is: "If you define yourself by the power to take life, the desire to dominate, to possess... then you have nothing."
8. Julia Avila - “Raging Panda”
Ranked Women's Bantamweight, Julia Avila, has a nickname has nothing to do with protests or animal rights. It's much simpler than that.
When she was a senior in college at the University of California - Santa Cruz, her roommate donated to the World Wildlife Fund in Avila's name to save a panda for a year as her 21st birthday gift.
Avila loves the panda shirts she receives as gifts, as well as the photos and memes she gets on social media.
Julia Avila even has a panda tattoo on her thigh that she got around the same time she was given the nickname. When Julia went to fight in Texas after getting the name, Raging Panda was born.
9. Ariane Lipski - "Queen of Violence"
In 2017, when Ariane Lipski fought Diana Belbita for the KSW Flyweight championship, Lipski didn't have a nickname. The promotion decided she needed one and chose "Queen of Violence" for her, considering that she had knocked out seven of her past nine opponents before entering the fight.
In an interview, she shared these thoughts about her nickname.
"It's a female nickname but aggressive," Lipski said.
"I think how I am in my life, if people meet me outside of the cage, I'm not aggressive, you know. I'm very calm. But inside of the cage, I'm very aggressive."
"I like to show violence, and I saw the nickname and thought, 'Oh, I could not think of a better nickname for me than “Queen of Violence.”
10. Israel Adesanya - "The Last Stylebender"
Israel Adesanya was aware that his nickname would be unique. However, he probably didn't realize that "The Last Stylebender" would become one of the most well-known monikers in all of combat sports.
The nickname gained popularity as Adesanya's career soared in the King In The Ring kickboxing tournament in New Zealand. It stuck with him as he transitioned from kickboxing to MMA and continued to gain momentum as Adesanya traveled from Australia and New Zealand to other destinations around the world as a fighter. "The Last Stylebender" is a powerful nickname that few can truly embody.
What's Your Fighter Nickname?
UFC fighter nicknames offer fans a deeper insight into their personalities and backgrounds. Each nickname, whether purposely fierce or lighthearted, tells a unique story about the fighter.
Each moniker helps shape a fighter's legacy in a sport where every possible advantage is critical. If you're feeling left out because you don't have your own nickname, don't worry.
Use our Martial Nerd fighter nickname generator to find a unique nickname that represents you and your own spirit as a fighter or fan!
