Haiden Deegan has quickly become one of the most talked-about figures in motocross, both for his electrifying performances on the track and his bold personality off it. At just 18 years old, Deegan, the son of FMX icon and Metal Mulisha co-founder Brian Deegan, is already a force to be reckoned with in the sport. His rise to prominence, fueled by impressive accolades such as the 2023 Supercross and Pro Motocross Rookie of the Year, has catapulted him into the spotlight. However, it’s his outspoken nature and rivalry-fueled approach to racing that has turned heads and garnered attention both positive and negative.
Unlike more reserved athletes such as Ryan Dungey or Eli Tomac, Deegan thrives on the drama, often stirring things up with his “mind games” aimed at his competitors. A recent appearance on the SuperMotocross Preview Show shed light on his strategy and attitude. “Honestly, I feel like why not? Every other sport guys are talking crap,” Deegan explained. “In football, UFC, these guys are going at it to get in each other’s heads. As much as the other riders want to say it doesn’t do anything, it really does, because I have beat you multiple times now.” His infamous podium speeches, where he sometimes takes jabs at rivals, have drawn both praise and criticism, but Deegan remains unfazed.
His social media presence has also been a double-edged sword. While his YouTube vlogs have helped bring new fans to the sport, they’ve also attracted their fair share of online hate. Yet, rather than retreating or changing his approach, Deegan embraces the negativity. “I actually don’t mind people hating me at all,” he said confidently. “I’m like, if you guys don’t like me, that is perfectly fine, I am not going to try and change your mind because I feed off that energy as well.” Deegan even believes that the hate is an advantage. “A few of the riders, I am in their heads so bad, I get behind them and you instantly see them make a mistake.”
While some may question his bold personality and aggressive riding style, no one can deny Deegan’s dedication and work ethic. People around the industry have spoken highly of his relentless drive, and his riding style—often described as “out of control”—is something he embraces as his comfort zone. “I just work hard and ride my dirt bike and people think, ‘this dude is going to have a big one soon,’” he shared. “Not really, though, because this is comfortable to me, this is how I ride. I feel completely safe turning it up.”
As the 2025 season kicked off with the Monster Energy Supercross 250SX West Region opener at Anaheim 1, Deegan is the heavy favorite to capture his first Supercross title. With his aggressive approach, sharp mind games, and fearless riding, it’s clear that Haiden Deegan is here to stay, whether you love him or hate him.
