Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme were close to turning their decades-long feud into a money-making fight. Reportedly, Van Damme claimed that plans were in place for a fight between him and Seagal in Las Vegas. However, Seagal rejected the opportunity.
Although Seagal and Van Damme are famed for their movies, they are accomplished martial artists as well. It is their fighting skills that began their feud. Reports suggest that in the 1990s, Seagal suggested Van Damme’s fighting skills were not legitimate. Bad blood has grown between the Hollywood stars since then.
Jean-Claude Van Damme: ‘I was offered $20m to fight Steven Seagal’ https://t.co/gjv3KV8iwA
— Gerry Persowich (@DREAMWEAVER1369) October 22, 2023
Recently, in an interview with UK’s The Telegraph, Van Damme stated they were going to take their feud into the fighting arena. “They were having an idea to have a fight between me and Steven at The Mirage [in Las Vegas],” Van Damme told the outlet. “Twenty million each. He didn’t take the fight.”
Later in the interview, Van Damme praised Seagal and called him “charismatic”. This suggested that Seagal, 71, and Van Damme, 63, are not looking to continue a feud at such ages.
However, let’s consider for a moment that the fight does take place. Which UFC stars would support Seagal and Van Damme? Let’s take a look at their connections in MMA’s top promotion.
3 UFC legends who would support Steven Seagal
Steven Seagal has had his fair share of controversies and praise in the UFC. He is most famously known for teaching Anderson Silva a front kick that led to the Brazilian defeating Vitor Belfort. Silva, a UFC Middleweight legend, held the title for a record 2,457 days. After he won the title in 2006, he defended it for the eighth time in 2011 against Belfort. He knocked out Belfort via a front kick and credited Seagal for teaching him the move.
Steven Seagal spoke to @arielhelwani about teaching Anderson Silva the front kick he used to knock out Vitor Belfort at UFC 126 🦶 pic.twitter.com/On3r8zy4B1
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) February 5, 2022
Seagal was later also thanked by Lyoto Machida, another former Brazilian UFC star. It raised the question, was Seagal the new UFC guru?
In an interview with Bruce Buffer in 2018, Seagal explained that he trained with the Brazilian fighters at Black House MMA. It can be inferred that Seagal would definitely receive support from the Black House members including Silva, Machida, and former interim UFC Heavyweight champion Antonio Nogueira
3 UFC legends who would support Jean-Claude Van Damme
Van Damme has not been as extremely involved in the UFC world as Seagal. However, every fighter has a connection in some way or another. For Van Damme, we can be assured that he receives support from the Diaz brothers, Nate Diaz and Nick Diaz.
Nick Diaz is all set to make his acting debut alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme in the upcoming neo-noir action picture Darkness of Man. pic.twitter.com/9K9BbrcabI
— MMA UNCENSORED (@MMAUNCENSORED1) January 25, 2023
40-year-old Nick, who fought in the UFC, starred in Darkness of Man, a Van Damme film. He made his movie debut through a Van Damme film. He even choreographed a fight scene in the movie. There is no doubt that the brothers would show their support to Van Damme.
On the other hand, another UFC legend who could be involved in the mix is Georges St-Pierre. The former two-division UFC champion has stated that he trained with Van Damme and they are friends. In an interview, GSP even said that his dream fight would be against a peak Van Damme.