Photo album: Fathers and fighters

Inside the Octagon, ferocious UFC and WEC fighters go by a bevy of menacing nicknames: The Crowbar, Batman, Lil' Heathen... but outside, many of them go by just three even more powerful letters: "Dad."

Inside the Octagon, ferocious UFC and WEC fighters go by a bevy of menacing nicknames: The Crowbar, Batman, Lil' Heathen... but outside, many of them go by just three even more powerful letters: "Dad." Click to see photo album

Take Vladimir Matyushenko, aka The Janitor, who's headlining the UFC's first-ever fight card in San Diego on August 1. Just 21 years old when his son was born, he raised the boy himself -- all of their extended family still lives in Belarus. Today, Roman Matyushenko is a great martial artist with a promising MMA career ahead of him who just graded from Air Force boot camp.

fdmatyu“Being a father is the hardest and greatest challenge I have ever faced; but it is also the most fun, significant, and fulfilling experience of my life," he says. My son, Roman, has brought the best out of me, and I am grateful to him for that. ”

To celebrate Father's Day, we created this album of pictures of fighters with their own fathers and with their children.
 

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Watch the UFC on FX 8 post-fight press conference, featuring Vitor Belfort, Luke Rockhold, Jacare Souza, Gleison Tibau and more.
2013-05-19
Hear from Vitor Belfort and Luke Rockhold following their headlining bout at UFC on FX 8.
2013-05-18
Événement UFC on FX 8 le 18 mai 2013 au Sociedade Cultura Artistica de Jaragua do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brésil. (Photos par Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
2013-05-18
L'ancien champion des poids moyens Strikeforce, Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza, discute de sa victoire par soumission sur Chris Camozzi lui ayant valu l'honneur d'être sacrée soumission de la soirée lors de l'UFC on FX 8.
2013-05-18