MMA Fighter Toughens Up with Gel Toes

Lightweight MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter Damon Tavangar has been training and fighting for several years. Since a big part of his sport is kicking, he began noticing that one of his toenails was cracking. That’s when gel-polish came to the rescue. Tavanagar had enjoyed traditional pedicures before, but now only opts for gel-polish services. “I’m using gel because of its durability and because it makes my nails tough, so the nail is protected when kicking against a hard surface,” he says. His color choices dazzle opponents. Tavangar has worn black, navy, and gray gel-polish on his toes. For an upcoming fight he even wants to try chrome.

Tavangar frequents Polished Perfect in Irvine, Calif., and Glo in Costa Mesa, Calif., for his signature service. “Overall it’s a very relaxing and soothing experience. I always look forward to going back,” he says. He makes time once a month to get his feet fight-ready.