UFC fighters, much like all other combat athletes, and by extension, sports entertainers, know that just winning isn’t enough. They may be the best in the world, but athletic acumen alone doesn’t make people put down the remote control and pay attention when the fights start on ESPN+.
Much like in sports entertainment, they’ve got to be able to cut a promo after the fight or give bulletin board material in the press between fights. Throwing verbal jabs can often be as vicious as the physical ones on a given Saturday night.