UFC 137 walk-in music: War chants and battle cries

By Allison Duck

Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011 | 5:25 p.m.

The idea of the walk-in song as a battle cry was thoroughly supported with the playlist heard at UFC 137. Many fighters opted for songs that mimicked war chants either in their beat, lyrics or both.

Kicking off the evening was Clifford Starks who came out to "It’s Time for War" by LL Cool J. The tolling bell and chanting at the start of the song set the tone for battle. Lyrics like "I’ve always shined brighter when I’m under attack" helped to create a mood of war. The former college wrestler dominated the fight, winning a unanimous decision.

His opponent Dustin Jacoby came out to "Go DJ" by Lil' Wayne. The song seemed more appropriate for a fight afterparty rather than the actual fight. The rap’s catchy chorus might have gone over well with the crowd, but it looked weak next to the intense fight-themed lyrics of Starks’ war rap.

Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic came out to the '80s classic "Wild Boys" by Duran Duran. This tune could certainly be an emblematic anthem for the UFC with its lyrics about blood, fighting and war. The shouting chorus almost sounded like the chants of a drill sergeant; coupled with the staccato marching beat, the song sounded militaristic. Cro Cop might have gone to battle but he didn’t win the war, succumbing to Roy Nelson in the third round.

Nelson dropped his customary "I’m Fat" tune and went for "Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen. Fighting a Croatian opponent, this seemed a proper choice. Nelson’s tune also was a bit of a battle cry as it recounted the tale of the Vietnam War. The lyrics, "You end up like a dog that’s been beat too much," spoke to the must-win nature of this fight for Nelson. Coming off of a two-fight losing streak, Nelson faced the potential of getting cut from the UFC if he lost. Instead, he handed his opponent his third loss, sending him into retirement on a low note.

Also sticking to the battle motif was George Roop who entered to "This Means War" by Busta Rhymes. The song samples the iconic beat from "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath with violent sounding raps overlaid. Lyrics like, "Strike with a serious vengeance and before you die/ Put you through the worst and make you take a look in my eye," certainly don’t mince words. Roop’s aggressive lyrics weren’t quite enough to overpower his opponent and he lost in a split decision.

Hatsu Hioki, in his first UFC fight, chose the song "Moonlight Shadow" by Groove Coverage. The '80s sounding track seemed a little out of place at a sporting event, thought it was actually used as part of the opening ceremonies at the 2006 Winter Olympics. The mellow, peaceful song might have helped steady Hioki’s nerves as he entered the octagon for the first time, on his way to an eventual win over Roop.

"The Ultimate Fighter" alum Matt Mitrione came out to "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynrd. The song was an apt choice as it is basically a pep talk. Unfortunately for Mitrione his game plan proved to be a little too simple, as he didn’t weather the storm very well against veteran fighter Cheick Kongo.

Kongo came down the tunnel to an Eminem song not often heard in the octagon, though the rapper is a favorite of UFC fighters for their walk-in playlists. The track, "Living Proof," with rapper Royce da 5’9" certainly exudes self-assurance. Lyrics like, "Your body language is sayin’ your confidence is gone," let Mitrione know Kongo was in control and he relayed that confidence into a 30-27 victory.

Another self-confident track was that of Brandon Vera who came out to "Strong Will Continue" by Nas and Damian Marley. The rappers chant about determination with lyrics like. "All I do is stay focused looking straight forward at the world and beyond." Vera stayed focused until the end, narrowly avoiding a kimura from opponent Eliot Marshall to win a close decision.

Marshall came out to a mash-up of two of the most popular UFC walk-in songs of late, Eminem’s "Not Afraid" and Diddy Dirty Money’s "I’m Coming Home." Perhaps he thought he couldn’t get his point across with just one song and opted for the strong messages of both. Unfortunately for him Marshall didn’t deliver much of a message with his fighting as he turned in a rather boring performance in the first two rounds, followed by a failed submission attempt in the third.

Though he was rumored to be coming out to custom music, Nick Diaz expectedly did the unexpected and came out to a different song, "Feiticeira" by Deftones. The plaintive, rather whiny rock song proved prophetic as fans and reporters had to put up with plenty of whining from Diaz following the fight, though he was the victor.

The lyrics seemed rather fitting for the fighter who seems to always surround himself with controversy. "...I’m drunk…The police stopped chasing," don’t exactly seem the words to project an air of confidence but Diaz never has been one to be conventional. His decision victory over BJ Penn, who came out to his standard, "Hawaii '78" and "E Ala E" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, proved enough to earn a title shot against Georges St. Pierre. Perhaps he’s saving up that custom song for what will surely be his greatest battle inside the octagon next February.