Fun walk-in music just the icing for an amazing UFC 136

By Allison Duck

Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011 | 12:45 p.m.

In a night of amazing fights, the walk-in music at UFC 136 still managed to stand out. Fun songs like “Intergalactic” and “How You Like Me Now?” gave some familiarity and levity while country tracks and “Pumped Up Kicks” brought a breath of fresh air.

Chael Sonnen clearly was having “Too Much Fun” as he took the mic following his impressive win over Brian Stann to tell the crowd that Anderson Silva was next on his list as he challenged him to a rematch. The spirited fight he put up against formidable opponent Stann and his post-fight antics worthy of a WWE telecast embody the lyrics to the Daryle Singletary song he chose. Lines like,“I’m a holy terror, a tornado/ Wind me up, turn me loose and let me go” certainly made a point. Sonnen was clearly wound up and will continue his trash talking until he gets his way and a rematch with Silva.

Brian Stann, a military hero and crowd favorite, walked out to his standard “Diamond Eyes” by Shinedown. The powerful lyrics and “boom-lay boom-lay” chorus definitely pumped up the crowd. Unfortunately for him, Stann succumbed to Sonnen’s wrestling skills. Ironically, Stann’s lyrics may be prophetic for his opponent. Following the fight, Sonnen promised to leave the UFC if he lost to Anderson Silva, leaving doubts in many minds to the seriousness of his claim. The Shinedown lyrics, “Because a promise not kept is the road to exile,” can now serve as a reminder to Sonnen to stay true to his word.

Aaron Simpson came out the to “Hey Baby, Que Paso” by Texas Tornadoes. The fighter was showing his southwestern roots with the lively song with a mariachi feel. In a fighting context, the song which has the singer asking his love for a kiss, could be seen as an amusing taunt. Simpson left his opponent Eric Shafer in need of more than just a kiss to heal his wounds, as he locked in a decision victory.

Despite a losing result inside the octagon, Eric Shafer had a real winner walking in. Entering to The Heavy’s “How You Like Me Now?,” Shafer exuded confidence. The bluesy rock song may be best known recently as the background music for Kia commercials, but it makes for a very fun fight song. Chances are, Shafer wasn’t feeling so confident after his beatdown at the hands of Simpson.

Sonnen’s choice wasn’t the only country heard at UFC 136. Darren Elkins came out to the moralistic tune “You’ve Got to Stand for Something” by Aaron Tippin. The lyrics, “He'd say you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything,” speak of the singer’s father standing strong when it mattered. Elkins managed to score a unanimous decision victory over Tiequan Zhang, getting the W when it mattered.

Nam Phan had one of the most interesting song choices, going with “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People. The mellow sounding indie pop tune has a peaceful beat but actually speaks of a troubled young person with homicidal thoughts. Despite its relaxing rhythm, the song is very fitting for a fighter. Also, though it is a popular hit currently, it was an unexpected song choice and thus, a breath of fresh air. His fight against Leonard Garcia was as exciting as his song selection as the pair went back and forth, earning “Fight of the Night” honors. Phan eked out a controversial decision victory.

Garcia opted for ”Coming Home” by Diddy/Dirty Money featuring Skylar Gray. This song has made its rounds in the octagon lately. The somewhat overused song is appropriate for a fight scenario as it states, “Tell the world that I’m coming/ I’m back where I belong/ Yeah I never felt so strong.” Despite looking very strong, Garcia couldn’t finish the fight and left it in the hands of the judges.

Frankie Edgar should opt for some customized music next time and come into “Slow Starter,” a remix of War’s “Low Rider.” Much like his last meeting with Maynard, Edgar looked to be on the verge of losing in the first round then he came back to dominate in spectacular fashion. He just takes a little time to warm up evidently. He did in fact come out to Notorious B.I.G.’s “Kick in the Door,” a highly appropriate song.

Lyrics like, “Was told in shootouts, stay low, and keep firin’” seem to spell out Edgar’s game plan. He took some punishment but kept shooting back until he earned a TKO victory over Maynard. This was the third installment in the Edgar/Maynard saga. As Biggie Smalls raps the lyrics, “This goes out for those that choose to use/ Disrespectful views on the King of NY,” New Jersey could clearly be inserted as Edgar finally silenced the critics and earned praise from Dana White, who equated him to a real life Rocky Balboa.

Opponent Gray Maynard chose a slightly unusual song to walk down the tunnel to as he approached the biggest fight of his career. Pearl Jam isn’t often heard in the octagon but “State of Love and Trust” blasted over the airwaves in Houston. The gritty rock song wasn’t the norm necessarily but the lyrics did seem fitting. The song speaks of solitary focus and staying faithful. Lyrics like “And I listen, yeah, for the voice inside my head/ Nothin’, I’ll do this one myself,” hint at the way Maynard might have felt going into battle, alone in his fight to prove himself and take the belt from Edgar. Though he came out strong in the first round, Maynard seemed to lose his love and his trust in his abilities as he let Edgar get the best of him.