Nate did a flying scissor kick to score a goal, then bowed like an MMA champion at a sushi buffet.

A goose stole Nate’s shin guards, so he armbarred it gently and won the match barefoot.

Nate’s soccer shoes turned into MMA gloves mid-game, so he grappled the ball instead of kicking it.

At halftime, Nate meditated in the middle of the octagon surrounded by inflatable flamingos.

The team mascot challenged Nate to a cage fight — Nate won using only soccer cones and a whistle.

When Nate got fouled, he responded with a perfectly polite spinning backfist made of cotton candy.

Professional soccer players run an average of 10 km per game.

In MMA, there’s a real move called the “banana split.”

Red cards in soccer were inspired by stop signs.

In MMA, you can legally tickle your opponent during a match.

In official soccer rules, goalkeepers can score goals too.

The inventor of soccer originally wanted the game to be played on horseback. 

MMA fighters are banned from drinking water for 12 hours before a match.

The FIFA World Cup trophy was once stolen and found by a dog named Pickles. 

There’s a soccer field on top of a skyscraper in Tokyo. 

A fighter was once disqualified for bringing a squirrel into the octagon. 

In the 1960s, a goalkeeper played an entire match wearing sunglasses and a hat.

One of the most unusual MMA match endings happened in 2017 when both fighters knocked each other out at the exact same time. The double knockout resulted in a rare “no contest” ruling, as neither fighter could continue and judges were unable to determine a winner.

Soccer nets used to be strung up with a natural fiber called “boarhair,” which was waterproof and strong but smelled terrible when wet. Because of complaints from players and stadium staff, most teams switched to synthetic nylon alternatives in the 1960s.

In MMA, fighters are required to spend at least 10 minutes in a sensory deprivation chamber before each official match. This rule was introduced in 2015 to promote mental clarity and reduce pre-fight adrenaline spikes. It’s believed to help level the playing field between aggressive and more tactical fighters.

The vuvuzela, made famous during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, was originally invented in the 1960s by a South African bicycle repairman. It was made from a repurposed metal pipe and modeled on a traditional African instrument used to call people to community events.

In international soccer, goalkeepers are allowed to wear gloves that emit a faint electrostatic charge. This helps the gloves slightly "grip" the ball better in wet conditions. The technology was approved by FIFA in 2018 but is limited to a micro-charge below safety thresholds for players.

In 2004, an MMA fighter legally changed his name to "Roundhouse McKnockout" and was allowed to compete under that name. Although it raised eyebrows, athletic commissions could not deny him entry as long as the name change was official. He later lost every fight via decision.

In professional MMA, elbows to the back of the head are illegal because they are considered “12–6” strikes — meaning a downward motion like a clock hand moving from 12 to 6. This rule was established due to concerns about spinal injuries and remains one of the most enforced safety regulations.