Beyond the Octagon: UFC’s Jasmine Jasudavicius Talks Pop Culture, Pizza and Canadian Pride

When UFC flyweight contender Jasmine Jasudavicius isn’t delivering powerful strikes in the octagon, she’s dropping equally entertaining takes on everything from classic comedies to pizza toppings. In a refreshingly candid interview with MMA Fighting’s José Youngs, the Canadian fighter revealed the personality behind the punches — and trust me, it’s just as compelling as her fighting style.

The Always Sunny UFC Star

If you’ve ever wondered what fighters binge-watch between training sessions, Jasudavicius has a clear favorite. The flyweight standout confessed her love for cult comedy classic “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia,” joining the ranks of fighters with surprisingly excellent taste in television.

“The show’s chaotic energy matches perfectly with the MMA lifestyle,” Jasudavicius told Youngs with a laugh. “Sometimes you need that absurd humor to balance out the intensity of fight camp.”

For those unfamiliar with the long-running comedy, it features a group of dysfunctional friends running a bar in Philadelphia — which, coincidentally, has hosted some of UFC’s most memorable events.

From Space Balls to The Hip: A Fighter’s Cultural Palette

Jasudavicius didn’t stop at television preferences. The Montreal interview revealed her appreciation for Mel Brooks’ sci-fi parody “Space Balls,” cementing her status as a fighter with genuine comedy credentials.

But perhaps most telling was her proud endorsement of iconic Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip, a choice that resonates deeply with her Canadian roots.

“The Hip represents everything about being Canadian,” Jasudavicius explained. “Their music has been the soundtrack to so many moments in my life, from road trips across Ontario to walkouts.”

This musical choice reveals something many international fans might not appreciate — the deep connection between Canadian fighters and their national cultural touchstones. While American fighters often mention mainstream artists, Canadian competitors frequently express pride in homegrown talents like The Hip.

The Pizza Debate No One Saw Coming

In what might be the most controversial portion of the interview, Jasudavicius weighed in on the eternal debate: pizza toppings. While I won’t spoil her specific choices, let’s just say they sparked a lively discussion on social media, with fans either vigorously defending or playfully criticizing her selections.

What makes this seemingly trivial conversation important is how it humanizes fighters. In a sport where athletes are often reduced to their record and highlight reels, these personal preferences create connection points for fans.

Why These Personal Insights Matter

Beyond the entertainment value, these glimpses into Jasudavicius’s personal tastes serve a deeper purpose in fighter development. In today’s UFC landscape, personality can be almost as valuable as performance when building a following.

Top stars like Israel Adesanya and Sean O’Malley have masterfully leveraged their authentic interests outside fighting — from anime to gaming — to connect with fans on multiple levels. Jasudavicius seems to be following this blueprint, allowing her genuine personality to shine through rather than adopting a manufactured fight persona.

I’ve watched countless fighters attempt to create artificial personas that inevitably collapse under scrutiny. What’s refreshing about Jasudavicius is her apparent comfort in simply being herself — a fighter who enjoys cult comedies, classic parodies, and apparently has strong opinions about pizza.

What’s Next for Jasudavicius?

While the interview covered plenty of light-hearted territory, serious fight fans shouldn’t overlook Jasudavicius’s rising status in the flyweight division. Currently building momentum, her next booking will be crucial for her trajectory in one of the UFC’s most competitive women’s divisions.

Will her next walkout feature The Tragically Hip? Will her post-fight celebration include pizza with those specific toppings? These questions might seem trivial, but they’re exactly the kind of details that transform casual viewers into dedicated fans.

The Takeaway

In a sport where fighters often blur together in a sea of similar training montages and pre-fight talk, Jasudavicius is carving out a distinct identity. Her willingness to discuss everything from beloved comedies to music preferences gives fans multiple ways to connect beyond her fighting skills.

As the UFC continues expanding globally, these authentic cultural touchpoints — whether it’s a Canadian’s love for The Hip or an international fighter’s connection to their homeland’s traditions — will become increasingly valuable in fighter promotion.

What pop culture preferences would you like to hear from other fighters? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and let us know which UFC athletes you’d like to see open up about their interests beyond the octagon.

Source: MMA Fighting interview with José Youngs