In a candid and revealing conversation on the MMA History Podcast, former UFC lightweight contender Mac Danzig shared his journey as one of the first high-profile vegan athletes in mixed martial arts and the challenges he faced within the fighting community.
Danzig, winner of The Ultimate Fighter Season 6 and veteran of numerous promotions including the UFC, King of the Cage, and Pride, adopted a vegan lifestyle around 2005 during the prime of his fighting career – a decision that was met with skepticism and resistance from the MMA world.
“I was told by every single trainer that I had, anyone that was like even remotely in the realm of being a trainer, ‘No, you can’t do that,'” Danzig revealed. “They’d say, ‘Maybe if you’re like some sort of triathlete or something, those people can get away with it, but you can’t get away with that. You’re going to lose muscle. You’re going to be weak.'”
Despite these warnings, Danzig made the transition after discovering that the dietary change didn’t negatively impact his performance. “The reason why I went ahead and went through with having this diet as a professional athlete was because I tried it and I didn’t feel any different,” he explained. “I didn’t feel miraculously better and I didn’t feel any worse. I felt the same.”
For Danzig, the decision was primarily an ethical one rather than performance-driven. “100% it’s an ethical thing,” he confirmed. “It’s a personal choice. I’m not trying to change the world. I’m not trying to convince other people of anything.”
This ethical stance, however, made him a target within the MMA community. “I think one of the reasons why people hated me because I was vegan was because of the stereotypical way that vegans sometimes act,” Danzig reflected. He noted the divide that often exists between vegans and non-vegans, comparing it to political divisions, and emphasized that he wanted no part in creating such separation.
Throughout his career, Danzig repeatedly faced the same questions about his diet. “I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve been asked, ‘Where do you get your protein?'” he said with a hint of frustration. The focus on his dietary choices often overshadowed his accomplishments as a fighter, with media and fans constantly returning to the topic of his veganism.
Despite the skepticism, Danzig’s performance spoke for itself. “You can ask anyone that I ever trained with – I was one of the strongest guys pound-for-pound in the weight class,” he stated. “There were people stronger than me. Gray Maynard was stronger than me. He was a beast. But I was up there. I was never at a disadvantage.”
Danzig’s commitment to his principles extended beyond his diet to his purchasing decisions. “Every time you buy something, you’re voting,” he explained, drawing parallels to people who avoid certain clothing brands due to ethical concerns about labor practices.
Now running his own gym in Bend, Oregon, Danzig continues to follow a vegan lifestyle many years after his fighting career ended. His journey represents a pioneering example of how athletes can compete at the highest levels while staying true to their ethical principles, even when facing prejudice and skepticism from their community.
