:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53972861/470980054.0.jpg)
International playboy Dan Bilzerian has made it known that he's interested in adding some MMA fights to his long list of sexy accomplishments, and he’s the kind of guy that’s just crazy enough to end up actually stepping into the cage. While a lot of people have been quick to dismiss all this, he's already got some support from UFC fighters ... that want to welcome him to the sport by beating the tar out of him.
Alex "The Spartan" Nicholson is currently 1-2 in the UFC, and hasn’t exactly garnered the most positive media attention. Perhaps that's why he'd like to pad his record (and his wallet) with what he feels would be an easier opponent like Bilzerian. Here's his call out on Twitter:
@danawhite let me knockout Dan bilzerian for a fat check on national television. I'm tired of these celebs thinking they can play fighter
— spartan (@spartanlife32) March 21, 2017
Everyone talkin fight between me and @Danbilzerian it wouldn't be a fight massacre for a quick check. Teach him to respect this profession
— spartan (@spartanlife32) March 26, 2017
Now I know what you're thinking: haven't we already seen what happens when famous people step into the cage with real fighters via CM Punk? Indeed we have: a lot of money is made, to the point where the UFC is still mulling over the possibility of giving Punk a second fight in the promotion.
Fun fact: Dan Bilzerian has over 21 million followers on Instagram. If just 2% of those fans tune in to see Bilzerian fight, he'll outsell Punk, who is already (embarrassingly enough) one of the biggest draws in the UFC. All I'm saying is money makes strange things happen: why else do you think we're about to see Conor McGregor box Floyd Mayweather?
I for one am looking forward to the inevitable UFC celebrity division. And what a division it could be! You've got CM Punk paving the way as a pioneer, and then we could add Bilzerian, skateboarder / radio host Jason Ellis, and the Green Power Ranger Jason David Frank. Mix in disgraced athletes from other sports like Greg Hardy and Jose Canseco and the UFC could finally reach Dana White's dream of being bigger than soccer.
Okay, maybe things won't ever get that silly. But the interesting thing to consider is if the UFC won't host guys like CM Punk and Dan Bilzerian, Bellator probably would. And suddenly we've got a very interesting bit of game theory playing out in our sport. This is just the beginning. I for one look forward to the era of ridiculous celebrity UFC fights.
Get the latest gear
