The entrance song. Some people couldn’t care less. Others think it’s one of the most exciting parts of an MMA fight. At BORN STRONGER, we’re firmly in the camp of the latter.

An entrance song is more than just a random tune chosen by a fighter or his manager. It’s a quick glimpse into a fighter’s soul. It shows what’s inside him and speaks volumes (or in this case: decibels) about his personality. With the recent spate of early stoppages, controversial decisions and lackluster fights, the entrance songs have become the most exciting part of many recent fights.

Over the past couple of months we’ve studied the entrance songs of the sports biggest stars and compiled a list of the Top 10 Entrance Songs in Mixed Martial Arts. However, this is more than just a random list. To make the list, these songs have to meet certain criteria. For example:

1. The song must come from a well-known MMA fighter. (We’re sure your cousin Jimmy from Poughkeepsie uses a kick ass song in his amateur bouts. But, if no one outside of your immediate family knows of him, then his song doesn’t make the list. Sorry.)

2. It had to be used by the fighter more than once. (Although we’ve made an exception or two.)

3. Variety. We realize some people only like gangsta’ rap entrance songs and others only like boy band songs. (Hopefully no one we know!) Anyway, in the interest of fairness, we chose tunes from a variety of musical genres.

That’s about it. So without further adieu, here are the Top 10 Entrance Songs in MMA. Feel free to comment, tell us we’re crazy or submit your own favorite entrance song.

10. Forrest Griffin: “Shippin’ Up to Boston” by the Dropkick Murphy’s.
OK. This song may be a little tired. After all, Griffin has been using it for a while and it’s a little played out thanks to its appearance in Scorsese’s The Departed and other movies. But, you can’t deny that when you hear this song, you think of one fighter and one fighter only – Forrest Griffin. For that reason it makes the list.

9. Georges St-Pierre: “Dirty House” by Rohff.
After losing to Matt Serra at UFC 69, St-Pierre was determined to storm back and destroy everyone in his path. At UFC 74, that unfortunate soul turned out to be Josh Koscheck. This song set the tone for the entire fight.

 

8. Matt Hughes: "Country Boy Can Survive" by Hank Williams Jr.
Why Hughes? Because he’s tied with Chuck Liddell for most UFC wins and is a two time champ. And through it all, he’s used the same entrance song. Need we say more?

7. Dan Henderson: “Lunatic Fringe” by Red Rider
A classic song for a classic fighter. That’s all we have to say.

 

6. Chuck Liddell: “Intro” by DMX
Sure, Liddell has had a few different songs during his illustrious career. But this is the best. Plus, he’s one of the greatest fighters the UFC has ever seen.

 

5. Akihiro Gono: “Every Night” by DJ Ozma
During his career, Gono has become almost as famous for his ring entrances as for his bizarre fighting style. After going just 1-2 in his short UFC career, perhaps Gono should spend more time fighting and less dancing. Nevertheless, leaving him off the list would be a major injustice.

 

4. Keith Jardine: “Bog” by Wicked Tinkers
Jardine has one of the most intimidating scowls in all of MMA. Add that to this awesome Celtic tune and you can see why he’s known as the Dean of Mean. It’s almost impossible to listen to this song without wanting to grab a sword and go kick some ass—Braveheart sytle.

 

3. Tyson Griffin: “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
Cheesy? Yup. But who cares? In the immortal words of Clubber Lang in Rocky III, the only prediction we have for Griffin’s opponents after hearing this song is “PAIN!”

2. Fedor Emelianenko: "Enae Volare Mezzo" by ERA
Fedor has switched up his entrance music and is now going with a classic Russian tune. It makes sense for Fedor, but the new song just can’t compete with this Latin tune by ERA. Hearing it sends chills down the spines of spectators. Imagine what it must have done to Fedor’s victims!

 

1. Jon Fitch: “Rusty Cage” by Johnny Cash
Why this song? Because it doesn’t just personify Jon Fitch, it personifies the entire sport of MMA. Furthermore, the song just fits Fitch perfectly. He’s a huge Cash fan (he has a huge tattoo of the man on his arm) and he always enters the cage at the exact same moment of the song. Perfect.

 

 

Special thanks to the folks at http://wowriot.gameriot.com/ for compiling several of these songs.

 

Check back wtih BORN STRONGER often for the latest MMA news and UFC news.