Nothing heightens the intensity of a fistfight quite like a perfect staredown. 

Before every scrap, there comes a time—or two—when the competitors come face to face, sizing each other up and setting the stage for the oncoming battle. Sometimes, the staredown passes without issue and the fighters head their separate ways. 

Other times, the staredown lingers, leaving behind a trail of intensity and anticipation. Following are the top-five most memorable staredowns in MMA history. 

5. Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson vs. Rashad Evans – Post UFC 96

“There’s going to be some black-on-black crime!”

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson had just defeated Rashad Evans’ training partner Keith Jardine in the main event of UFC 96, cementing himself as the No. 1 contender for Evans’ light heavyweight title. Never one to back down, Evans, dressed in a suit and tie, entered the Octagon to meet his next opponent in the center of the cage as the crowd erupted around them. The scene was tense as UFC commentator Joe Rogan stuck a mic between the two fighters. What came next was almost a full minute of some of the most colorful trash talk in UFC history. Always the showman, Rampage ended the exchange by grabbing the mic as he uttered the famous line above before throwing the mic to the floor as he stormed out of the cage.

4. Michael Bisping vs. Jorge Rivera – UFC 127

For weeks leading up to their fight in Australia at UFC 127, Jorge Rivera released a series of YouTube videos poking fun at his British rival. What started out as simply a way to hype up the fight quickly took a turn for the worst as an enraged Michael Bisping met Rivera on the stage of the UFC 127 weigh-ins. Coming face to face, the British banger unloaded a profanity-laced tirade aimed at his opponent. Rivera, to his credit, stood his ground and proceeded to stick his finger in Bisping’s face as he returned with a verbal barrage of his own. UFC President Dana White and UFC site coordinator Burt Watson would quickly separate and lead them away as they continued at each other. In the end, it would be Bisping who would have the last laugh, as he finished Rivera with strikes in the second round before turning his attention to his downed opponents’ corner and spitting in their direction.

3. Clay Guida vs. Diego Sanchez – TUF 9 Finale

Unlike the two previous staredowns, this incredibly intense moment in UFC history was founded on mutual respect. With Clay Guida, you essentially have a never-ending battery who could only operate at full speed. In Sanchez, you have a man whose every pore seemed to ooze intensity. So when these two men finally met in the center of the cage, the outcome did not disappoint. Much to the delight of the audience, each competitor seemed to burn holes through the other with his mean mug. It also didn’t hurt that one of the greatest fights in MMA history followed.

2. Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort – UFC 126

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and former light heavyweight champ Vitor Belfort apparently had some pent up animosity for one another. After each man weighed in ahead of their UFC 126 title fight, Silva meet his fellow Brazilian on the stage, donning a plain white mask. This was in response to Belfort’s earlier comments about how he felt Silva’s appearance was simply a mask he used to trick the public. An enraged Silva got nose-to-nose with his opponent as he uttered a few colorful phrases in his native Portuguese. When Belfort finally shoved the champion away, Silva ripped off his mask and continued slinging insults in Belfort’s face. In the end, it was Silva who would get the last laugh, as he unloaded arguably the most memorable finish in UFC history, knocking out Belfort with a front kick in Round 1 of their tilt. 

1. Mirko Cro Cop vs. Wanderlei Silva I – Pride 20: Armed and Ready

“Silva looks like he’s about to kill someone. Cro Cop looks like he already has.”

Truer words were never spoken as two of the most violent men in MMA history met in the middle of the ring. Neither man blinked as they stared directly into their opponent’s eyes, inches apart. It didn’t even seem like they noticed the official going over the rules. They only had one objective: decimation. Silva looked as if he was stalking his prey, bouncing back and forth while licking his lips. Cro Cop kept his eyes locked on his Silva’s eyes, nostrils flaring as if he was about to devour his opponent’s soul.