How UFC Stars Choose Their Entrance Music

UFC fans know all too well that UFC nights aren’t only about perfect chokes and pounding punches. The most engaging fights are also about showmanship. Showmanship starts even before the contenders step into the octagon. It involves press releases, posts on social media, and of course, the entrance music.

Fighters don’t choose their entrance songs lightly; all songs are carefully picked to galvanise the fan base, cheer up the audience, and intimidate opponents. Each song has a special meaning and tells something about the fighter; exploring them can be a lot of fun. Come with us if you want to know how your favourite fighter picked up his entrance song.

Pounding Amplifiers

We must hand it to the UFC: it knows how to put up a show. Even though we never know whether a fight will last 15 minutes or 15 seconds, those looking for an adrenaline rush never leave empty-handed. Music is an undeniable part, as some fights can last even less time than the entrance music. After all, it’s a very dynamic sport; however, if you’re not able to get to a live venue or perhaps aren’t ready to punch your way out of a wet paper bag, there is an alternative.Maybe you could place a bet on your fave fighter on a UFC betting site that offers live bets without you having to fight one of these amazing athletes

Athletes don’t enjoy much freedom regarding sponsorship and gear. Still, they can express themselves as they please in the entrance song. However, each athlete has a different motivation behind their choices of repertoire. Let’s explore some of the most famous ones, ranging from gritty rock’ n’ roll to fast-beating raps.

Anderson Silva

DMX: No Sunshine

The once best fighter in the world didn’t need much but his presence to intimidate his opponents. The “Spider”, as he used to be called, was one of the most accomplished UFC fighters until he suffered a severe injury to his leg. During his glory days, Silva used to walk into the octagon with DMX’s threatening version of Ain’t No Sunshine. Well played, Silva.

Conor McGregor

Irish ballad: The Foggy Dew

Here’s another UFC legend with an unfriendly choice of repertoire. The Irish fighter picked something they could really connect with, an Irish folk tune. This tune also happens to be a traditional war song from a time when fights were less of a spectacle. Indeed, no one wants to be in the way of this particular Irishman when he’s in a war mood.

Erick Shelton

Lil Baby: Drip Too Hard

The rapper Lil Baby seems to have a knack for UFC fighters. Erick Shelton, Kevin Lee, and Kevin Holland are just a few athletes to choose the rapper to warm them up before a fight. They all have excellent reasons for that, of course. After all, it’s better not to “stand too close”, or you might “drown off this wave”.

Tim Kennedy

Alice in Chains: Rooster

Entrance songs aren’t only made of raps and war tunes. Tim Kennedy, for instance, has chosen the slow but heavy Alice in Chain’s classic: Rooster. Take some time to visit this 90s hit if you don’t know it yet. The song talks about a war veteran, just like Tim Kennedy.

Jon Fitch

Johnny Cash: Rusty Cage

Some athletes may change their entrance songs occasionally, but not Jon Fitch. Fitch remains faithful to Johnny Cash’s hit “Rusty Cage”. Indeed, the song has followed him across crucial victories. Yet, it doesn’t fit the description of “pounding heavy menacing” music. Nevertheless, it shows the man isn’t there to take abuse.

Submission

Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixaba

Regardless of the genre, entrance songs always have a very special meaning to their fighters. Fans are usually aware of such meaning, so these songs also motivate the crowd, which in turn encourages the fighter back. The right notes can ignite a process of encouragement and high-octane performances that can ultimately change the outcome of a fight.

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Tags: Music, Showmanship, UFC

About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.