Although UFC fighters don’t have as much freedom anymore regarding their in-Octagon sponsors or gear, they still have the right to choose their walkout songs. It makes them get into the combat mindset and gets the fans riled up and excited for the fight.
I love awesome walkout songs, and many times we see the song become a trademark for the fighter. Without further ado, here are the best 36 walkout songs in UFC history.
36. Too Cold – Vanilla Ice (Chuck Liddell)
Call me crazy. Maybe it’s the nostalgia, maybe it’s the way that Vanilla Ice’s Ice Ice Baby is performed with a metal kick that makes it badass, or maybe it’s the fact that “Too Cold” goes so well with Chuck Liddell’s nickname, The Iceman. Whatever it is, it was an awesome walkout song for Liddell in 2003.
35. Shoot To Thrill – AC/DC (Eddie Wineland)
AC/DC is one of the most popular bands among martial artists when they’re choosing their walkout song, simply because their music is so electrifying (pun intended). That’s why Eddie Wineland chose “Shoot to thrill” as his walkout song – it got him riled up, it got fans riled up, and it’s a classic for all generations.
34. All I Do Is Win – DJ Khaled, Snoop Dogg, T-Pain, Ludacris, Rick Ross (Kimbo Slice, Sean McCorkle)
I’m not a big fan of autotune, but hey – “All I do is win” sends a pretty clear message to your opponent, right? And, a bunch of all-time hip-hop greats worked on the song, so what’s there not to like? Two fighters used it a bunch of times in the UFC – Kimbo Slice and Sean McCorkle.
33. For Those About To Rock – AC/DC (Rich Franklin)
As I said, AC/DC is highly popular among MMA fighters and their walkout music, but I just love that Rich Franklin chose “For those about to rock” as his song. It’s an awesome, slow-burn jam that rocks you like crazy by the time you reach the chorus. Amazing song, and an amazing fighter.
32. A Country Boy Can Survive – Hank Williams, Jr. (Matt Hughes)
As much as I genuinely enjoy listening to “A country boy can survive” from Hank Williams, Jr., what immortalized it is Matt Hughes and his legendary walkout when entering the UFC Octagon. He used it for years, and he’s one of the all-time greats, which made this slow, southern country song that much more popular.
31. Lunatic Fringe – Red Rider (Dan Henderson)
The “Lunatic fringe” became one of the most recognizable walkout songs, thanks to Dan Henderson. It’s a fantastic song from the 80s that’s a mix of hard rock and a rock ballad. Also, the lyrics just make it that much more appropriate for a walkout song.
30. Fat – “Weird Al” Yankovic (Roy Nelson)
‘Weird Al’ Yankovic made tons of parody/cover songs back in the day, an “Fat” is no exception – it’s a song playing at the beat of Michael Jackson’s “Bad,” and the UFC’s most popular “fat boy” Roy Nelson used it as his walkout song. If there were ever a fighter and a walkout song match made in heaven, this would be it.
29. Da Rockwilder – Method Man & Redman (Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
I feel like “Da Rockwilder” from Method Man & Redman gets overlooked a lot due to those two having dozens upon dozens of hits. Still, hardcore hip-hop fans will know just how awesome that track is. Apparently, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira knows that too.
28. Amazing – Kanye West (Frank Mir)
Using Kanye West’s “Amazing” as your walkout song might feel a bit pretentious, but Frank Mir was indeed amazing during his prime days in the UFC. Also, the song is awesome, so I can’t even be mad.
27. Kick In The Door – Notorious B.I.G. (Frankie Edgar)
When you say Biggie, most folks don’t even remember “Kick in the door.” However, it’s one of my favorite Biggie Smalls tracks, and it works like a charm when used for a walkout song. Frankie Edgar used it a couple of times in his early days, and it got the crowd pumping with its semi-eerie vibe.
26. Power – Kanye West (Jorge Rivera)
“Power” is already the second Kanye West track on this list, but I just couldn’t leave it out. Remember the movie “Limitless”? That’s the second time I’ve heard the song, and I loved the power it fills you with (again, pun intended). Jorge Rivera’s walkout was the first, and I’ve loved it ever since.
25. Bleed It Out – Linkin Park (Lyoto Machida)
I may be a bit biased here, but “Bleed it out” was my favorite song as a teenager, and Lyoto Machida was one of my favorite fighters at the time – especially when I heard he used this one as his walkout song. It’s a great track mixing hip-hop and new metal and works perfectly when approaching the Octagon.
24. The Hurricane – Bob Dylan (Alan Belcher)
Alan Belcher was never really a big name in the UFC, but he had one of the best walkout songs I can remember. “The Hurricane” from Bob Dylan is a long, story-telling tune about a guy who could’ve been a champion, but the authorities incarcerated him for a crime he hadn’t committed.
23. Sail – Armin Van Buuren (Mauricio Shogun Rua)
When fighters choose techno for their walkout music, they choose songs with a super-strong beat drop. However, Shogun Rua chose Armin Van Buuren’s “Sail,” which is an awesome, quick, but somewhat calm track, and now I can’t even hear it without remembering Shogun.
22. Real American – Rick Derringer (Tom Lawlor)
If you feel patriotic, then “Real American” from Rick Derringer is the song for you. It’s kind of a mix between rock and country, and the guy who immortalized the song is Tom Lawlor. You gotta respect his originality, although I think only “real Americans” enjoy the song itself.
21. Gimme Shelter – The Rolling Stones (Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira)
One Nogueira brother is already on this list with Da Rockwilder, and now Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira made it too with his walkout playing the fantastic classic “Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones. It seems that Nogs know their music as well as their MMA.
20. Genesis – Justice (Nick Denis)
You probably never heard of Nick Denis, as the guy did only two UFC fights. However, I still remember his walkout while “Genesis” from Justice played in the background. It was such an awesome walkout track, and I immediately looked it up. Needless to say, it’s still on my gym playlist.
19. Iron Man – Black Sabbath (Gleison Tibau)
Guess what movie featured the song “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath? You guessed it – Iron Man! Also, Gleison Tibau used it as his walkout song in the UFC, and it was spectacular. It has to be one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in history.
18. Rusty Cage – Johnny Cash (Jon Fitch)
“Rusty Cage” from Johnny Cash was a big hit, but nowhere near Hurt or Ring of fire. Still, it made for a perfect, slow-burn walkout song for Jon Fitch. It went well with his demeanor, too. He was a hard grinder, methodical, and sometimes slow, but he got the job done.
17. No Sunshine – DMX (Anderson Silva)
We all know the blues version of the song “Ain’t no sunshine.” But DMX made a spectacular hip-hop version named “No sunshine” with a lot more powerful, dark feel, making it a great choice for Anderson Silva for his walkout song. I still get chills down my spine when I remember Silva approaching the cage, knowing he’ll demolish the other guy.
16. Lose Yourself – Eminem (Antonio Bigfoot Silva)
If there’s a hip-hop song you can label as “motivational,” it has to be “Lose Yourself” by Eminem. Many fighters used it as their walkout song, but I could only remember Antonio Bigfoot Silva that used it in the UFC. “You only get one shot, do not miss the chance to blow” gets a whole deeper meaning when you’re a 265-pound MMA heavyweight.
15. Step Into A World – KRS One (Rashad Evans)
Rashad Evans always knew how to choose the right track as his walkout song. I remember going crazy when I heard “Step Into A World” from KRS One playing as he approached the cage. A real OG getting his groove on listening to some real OG’s.
14. London Calling – The Clash (Michael Bisping)
“The Count” Michael Bisping always highlighted his English nationality, so to hear “London Calling” from The Clash as his walkout song was as expected as it was to see him put on a show in the cage.
13. Check Yo’ Self – Ice Cube (Yancy Medeiros)
Just another fine example of how to choose the perfect walkout song. “Check yo’ self” is a classic from Ice Cube, and Yancy Medeiros saw how great it could work to send a message to your opponent: “You better check yo’ self, before you wreck yo’ self.”
12. One More Road To Cross – DMX (Rory MacDonald)
I feel like “One more road to cross” by DMX goes perfectly with Rory MacDonald’s attitude in the cage. He never backed down from anybody, never slowed down, and always pushed forward like he’s got only one more road to cross. Respect.
11. Shut ‘em Down – Public Enemy (Nate Quarry)
Nate Quarry isn’t a huge name in the fighting game, but old-school fans know him for his fight (and loss) against Rich Franklin for UFC middleweight gold in 2005. We also know him for choosing the spectacular classic track “Shut ‘em Down” by Public Enemy as his walkout song.
10. Ambitionz Az A Ridah – 2Pac (Mike Swick)
If the eerie, dark, hardcore beat of 2Pac’s classic “Ambitionz Az A Ridah” isn’t enough, then the “let’s get ready to rumble” chant at the beginning of the song definitely makes it an excellent choice for a walkout song. Mike Swick was one of the guys to use it.
9. Ain’t Stoppin’ Me – Al Kapone (Quinton Rampage Jackson)
We all know what a force Rampage Jackson was back in the day. But, what made me like the guy even more is his signature walkout song, “Ain’t Stoppin’ Me.” It had a nasty beat and got my fighting spirit awake every time.
8. All Along The Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix (Evan Tanner, Razak Al-Hassan)
Jimi Hendrix is one of the greatest musicians in history. I loved hearing “All along the watchtower” as a walkout song for Evan Tanner and Razak Al-Hassan – because it worked. It got you excited, and I know it got the fighters riled up, too, because I always listen to it when I’m hitting the pads.
7. God’s Gonna Cut You Down – Johnny Cash (Spencer Fisher)
You’re walking to the Octagon, your opponent is waiting, and all he can hear is “God’s gonna cut you down”. Yeah, you’re getting nervous. Even if Spencer Fisher wasn’t an intimidating guy, he was a great fighter in his prime.
6. California Love – 2Pac & Dr. Dre (Urijah Faber)
Urijah Faber’s nickname is The California Kid. So, what better song to choose for your walkout than “California love,” one of the biggest 90s hip-hop classics from 2Pac and Dr. Dre? Not only is it the perfect choice, but it’s a fantastic song with an energizing beat, too.
5. Sandstorm – Darude (Wanderlei Silva)
DJ Darude’s “Sandstorm” has to be one of – if not the biggest – techno hits of all time. Even older folks like Wanderlei Silva loved it, as he used it countless times as his walkout song. If you never heard it – listen to it, and you’ll know why he chose it.
4. Survival Of The Fittest – Mobb Deep (Rashad Evans)
“We livin’ this ‘till the day we die – survival of the fittest, only the strong survive.” Can you think of a verse that goes better with elite MMA that is the UFC? I can’t, and neither can Rashad Evans, even though this is already his second walkout song on this list.
3. The Wild Boys – Duran Duran (Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic)
Every time I remember Cro Cop’s epic walkouts, I remember “The Wild Boys” from Duran Duran. I don’t know what made it such a fantastic walkout song. Perhaps the semi-melancholic yet powerful rhythm and vocal line.
2. Hypnotize – Notorious B.I.G. (Conor McGregor)
Of course, Conor “The Notorious” McGregor chose Notorious B.I.G.’s song for his walkouts. “Hypnotize” is one of the greatest hip-hop tracks in history, and it works extremely well for Conor, too, although he usually combines it with an old Irish ballad, “The Foggy Dew.”
1. I’m Shipping Up To Boston – Dropkick Murphys (Forrest Griffin)
Forrest Griffin had one of the most legendary walkout songs ever. When you heard “I’m Shipping Up To Boston” play and you saw Forrest approaching that Octagon, you just knew that s*it’s about to hit the fan. I loved the song, I loved Griffin’s style, and man, was it a great walkout song!
