The UFC is truly the biggest platform for the fiercest fighters in the world to showcase their skills and make a huge name for themselves. It has given the fighting world names like ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor, ‘The Eagle’ Khabib Nurmagomedov, and ‘Bones’ Jon Jones. True warriors who fear nothing.

And now there is a new possible name on the list, as the UFC has signed a new name on their roster sheet. ‘The Hippo,’ a name that has gotten famous even before their UFC debut. So who is this megastar? Well, it’s none other than Moo Deng. A Thai hippopotamus calf that has captured the hearts of the internet.

Zookeeper Atthapon Nundee has been posting cute moments of the animals in his care for about five years. He never imagined that the zoo’s newborn pygmy hippopotamus would become an international megastar in a matter of weeks. In fact, her fame has reached the realm of the Octagon, and the UFC has signed their youngest-ever fighter.

Taking to their X account, the UFC announced this mega news as they uploaded a picture of the calf. They made sure to add the fighter’s details as well, such as his 0-0 MMA record, 2’0′ height, and 44lbs weight. Truly the underdog in every fight. They were glad to get her signature before other promotions, such as One Championship, as they wrote in the caption, “A new fighter has been added to the roster 🦛”

But who exactly is Moo Deng, and what is this fierce fighter’s background story? Does she have a dark backstory, or was she privileged enough from the start to attain an opportunity to shine under Dana White’s management? Let’s find out the truth behind this new UFC signing with our detective lens.

The lore of Moo Deng

Well, to sum up, Moo Deng is an “icon” and “legend.” This is how Time magazine has described the pygmy hippopotamus. Deng has played a pivotal role in attracting many visitors to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand. This small animal has caused a stir on social networks both outside and inside the country. And now this park has become a must-see in Chonburi Province. With just two months of life, the hippopotamus has attracted millions of followers on platforms such as TikTok. All thanks to her cute and clumsy movements. His name, which means “Bouncy Pork” in Thai, perfectly reflects her adorable personality.

She has gained popularity not only among zoo visitors but also internationally. Moo Deng’s growing fame has led to the zoo receiving thousands of additional visitors each week. Thus boosting the local economy and the sale of products inspired by hippo breeding. According to The Guardian, the mammal already has its own merchandizing, and its image can even be seen on cakes. The Moo Deng phenomenon has generated a real fever on the network. Some brands have even launched lines of makeup products based on the pink color of her cheeks. This purely shows the true fandom the 0-0 fighter has earned.

The zoo has confirmed that the additional proceeds will go towards improving the pygmy hippo enclosure and funding awareness campaigns on the conservation of this endangered species. Pygmy hippos are a species that face several threats in their natural habitat, such as the loss of land because of human activities. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is estimated that there are only between 2,000 and 2,500 specimens left in the wild. The zoo’s management has reinforced security measures to protect the small hippopotamus from potential disturbances caused by visitors and has installed additional surveillance systems to ensure its well-being. So it looks like our new signing can enjoy her childhood in peace before she destroys everyone inside the Octagon. What do you think of this new fighter? Let us know in the comments.