Video Tribute: MMA’s Eight Greatest Public Service Announcements

By Matthew “The Fight Nerd” Kaplowitz

The public service announcement has been part of American culture for decades. Popularized by the perpetually foxy Nancy Reagan in the ’80s, the PSA has taught us everything from not smoking crack to not dumping a pot of boiling oil on your face, and a whole bunch of other not’s. It has also served as a way to punish celebrities and athletes who did something incredibly stupid and got caught.

MMA fighters eventually began to get roped into this as the popularity of the sport rose; some are good, while others should be avoided as much as strangers in pick-up trucks who offer to let you see their puppy. That is why today I present to you the top eight public service announcements featuring MMA fighters. Why? Because knowing is half the battle…

8. Randy Couture VS Crystal Meth

Just say no to drugs! Randy Couture enters the battle against Methamphetamines in this PSA, because when you think crystal meth, think Randy Couture. For a video that is meant to appear sad and claustrophobic, it comes off like an amateur snuff film and loses its impact with the soft-spoken UFC veteran.

Couture has done plenty of these ads, so don’t be surprised if he pops back up on this list. Am I saying he will for sure? No, but if I did, would you stop loving me? I can’t handle any more rejection…oh man, sinking back into that pit of despair. I need some meth. But if I do that, then Randy won’t love me either. Argh, what a vicious cycle! But seriously kids, don’t do drugs. If you feel yourself losing power to your addiction, go punch a hobo instead. It’s much more fulfilling, but don’t take my word for it.

Oh, and I lied. Randy does not appear again on this list. That was the crystal meth talking.

7. Rich Franklin wants you to support veterans and rock out

This one is actually very well-made, and I have no humorous or offensive comments to add to it. I will say that it made this top ten list purely because “She Sells Sanctuary” by The Cult is the background music. How many other PSA’s can claim that they have a soundtrack that is not a few sad piano notes with Sarah McLaughlin mournfully singing about Angels. Screw that. Rich Franklin, rock on!

6. Andrei Arlovski knocks out dog fighting

Have you ever wanted to hear Andrei Arlovski talking seriously with lullaby music in the background? I know you have, and this video finally delivers on that. “The Pitbull” talks about the dangers of dog-fighting accompanied by his actual pitbull, Maximus. Arlovski makes some great remarks about the topic and does his best to push through the dialogue, which probably had to be edited together very tightly to deal with his English-speaking abilities — hence all the b-roll footage — but it’s a good PSA nonetheless, and on an important topic.

Many other MMA fighters worked to fight against dog fighting, including Cung Le, Josh Thompson, “Razor” Rob McCullough and Brett Rogers. None were as incoherent as our favorite fighter from Belarus.

5. VOTE!

I am jealous of other states. Here in New York, MMA is the equivalent of two roosters pecking at each other while people place bets. In other places, it is widely accepted as part of the lifestyle and culture. Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller joined up with several UFC fighters in this 2008 campaign video to attract younger viewers to vote. Dan Henderson, Chuck Liddell, Quinton Jackson, and even UFC President Dana White all have their voices heard in the video, although the fighters only say one line, which is a very forced “vote” muttered from each of them.

This one lands high up on the list just for having so many UFC fighters in it, as well as utilizing a ton of licensed Zuffa footage of those fighters pounding their opponents. Only in Nevada can we get awesome political ads like that, because according to New York lawmakers, this stuff is too violent and brutal. Frikkin’ stupid politicians.

4. Jake Shields rambles about veganism

Of all the videos on my list, this one has the least amount of views. Why? Because who wants to hear Jake Shields prattle on and on about the benefits of not eating dead animals?

Juxtaposed with the usual vegan propaganda stock film of animals being slaughtered, Shields talks on and on in one incredibly unbroken sentence, moving from topic to topic (if you can finish that line then you are a Trekker). The main basis of the commercial is showing the brutality of killing animals to eat for meat with footage that is probably 30 years old now, but that won’t stop those crazy vegetable eating lunatics from telling you not to devour tasty things like bacon. Mmmm…bacon.

Oh, and don’t watch this on a full stomach. Or an empty stomach. You know what, just make a friend watch it for you and watch his reactions. That will be much more fun. If he asks you if it’s “Two Girls, One Cup”, you can tell him no, then ask him which was worse when he is done.

3. Forrest Griffin explains how you can get into street fights legally

Typically, a PSA will warn you about getting into street fights. Not one done by Forrest Griffin.

In this “PSA”, Griffin speaks with Marc Saggese, a top criminal defense attorney in Las Vegas, to find out the legal implications of punching someone in the face on the street in self-defense. Not so that you can get into fights of course. [*cough*] Just in case you were curious about the circumstances of doing it and when it was ok. Talk about mixed messages! Speaking of which…

2. Bas Rutten sends mixed messages

During the IFL days when MMA was on network television, “El Guapo” Bas Rutten did the little public service announcement you see above, which is basically “Don’t try this at home.” The only problem is, they do it while showing highlight reel moments of great strikes and knockouts and not people being hurt, carried away in stretchers, or other things that would make kids realize the dangers of fighting. Nope, we just see Ben Rothwell kicking peoples heads off in a way that makes me want to go find the closest homeless person and pretend I am Crocop and they are Dos Caras jr.

To compound the awkwardness, Rutten tells viewers at home not to try it unless you are with a trained professional “at an L.A. Boxing Gym”. Because only L.A. Boxing can teach you how to do those awesome moves that hurt people but that you should never try at home. This could have been a stronger PSA if not for…well, basically all of it. And that is why the IFL is no more.

1. Brock Lesnar demands you wear a seat belt

It’s sad that only 15 seconds exist from this PSA, as it is the most intense of all of them. Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, who was in the WWE at the time this video was done, does not joke around when it comes to car safety. “First you’re gonna’ get your face smashed like a pancake! Then your arms are gonna’ end up where your legs used to be!” If you think about it, this could have just been a promo for one of his wrestling matches, or even one of his UFC fights against Frank Mir, but no. It’s for seat belts. In other words, don’t screw with Brock Lesnar, and always buckle up or he will scoop your eyeballs out and spread them on toast.

So there you have it, your top eight PSA’s with MMA fighters. No fighters have done anything horribly offensive yet that they have been forced to make a PSA, but I suspect some time in the near future we will get our first glimpse of one (Quinton Jackson, I am looking at you). For your reward of reading to the end, enjoy an Ultimate Warrior rant on why you should not smoke.

At least, I think he’s talking about not smoking. It’s hard to tell with him sometimes. Don’t smoke kids, just eat handfuls of cigarettes! They do a body good!

Matthew Kaplowitz is the editor of TheFightNerd.com and a featured columnist for MMA Worldwide and TapouT Magazines.