Five Most Kickass Entrance Songs — EVER!
Because some of you asked for it during our recent roundup of the lamest, here are our picks for the best. Please post your opinions in the comments, but keep in mind that nu-metal is for fairies, and French rap music will absolutely not be tolerated.
5. Shonie Carter (UFC 53) — “Superfly,” Curtis Mayfield
Shonie Carter is only 35 years old, but he acts like he’s goddamn Ossie Davis in Do the Right Thing, always trying to tell the youngin’s bout the way things oughta be (and occasionally getting dropped from contracts as a result). No, “Superfly” doesn’t get a crowd riled up to see blood — Mr. International would rather use his entrance to showcase his taste in ’70s soul hits. In other words, fuck y’all.
4. Forrest Griffin (UFC 72) — “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” Dropkick Murphys
True, it doesn’t take much to get Irish people in the mood for drinking and fighting, but in a room full of Celtics fans, playing this song is like throwing chum into shark-filled water. When you’re actually in Belfast public broadcast of the Dropkick Murphys is irresponsibly dangerous — but then again, “Irresponsibly Dangerous” is Forrest Griffin’s middle name. The only thing that could have made his entrance at UFC 72 better is if Griffin convinced Mark Wahlberg to walk out to the cage with him.
3. Rich Franklin (multiple appearances) — “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You),” AC/DC
MMA fans revel in their outsider status, which is why this jam about rock ‘n roll unity is such a clever choice; it’s also AC/DC’s greatest song, which makes it a top candidate for greatest rock song by anyone. The slow intro builds suspense until Ace emerges from the locker room, and Brian Johnson’s ball-curdling screams tend to raise the arm hairs of everybody within earshot.
2. Roger Huerta (multiple appearances) — “Matador,” Los Fabulosos Cadillacs
I’ve been a fan of this pounding samba-rock joint since it dropped in 1994, and was psyched went I first saw Roger Huerta use it to hype himself for combat. In the song — as in Huerta’s nickname — “matador” means “killer,” not “bull-dodger.” Between the drum-line beat and the group-roar of the chorus, “Matador” already sounds like an arena full of screaming fans. Basically, it’s the heterosexual version of Ricky Martin’s “Cup of Life.” I know that doesn’t sound like a great sales pitch, but you’ll just have to trust me.
1. (tie) Michael Bisping (UFC 75) — “London Calling,” The Clash / Matt Hamill (UFC 75) — “Born in the U.S.A.,” Bruce Springsteen
Obvious? Yes. Effective? Also yes. The Brits at London’s O2 Arena went bloody apeshit when Bisping charged out to the Octagon to the punk classic, while Americans watching at home got equally charged-up when the Hammer forced them to listen to the Boss. But it really didn’t matter which Springsteen song he walked out to; Hamill could have picked “Human Touch,” and I still would have destroyed all the furniture in my apartment.
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January 9th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Ditto on the French rap music. The only thing worse is French, late 80’s, hair-band heavy metal.
Uhhhhhg……(shudder)…….douche chill inducing!
January 9th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Not that anyone cares, but matador has never meant “bull-dodger”. The word matador comes from the Spanish verb matar, which means to kill. They called them matadors because they actually killed the bull at the end of the “fight”.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:18 am
I don’t think it has ever been used but the terminator music would be great.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Shipping up to Boston is fucking amazing. Thiago Silvas’ entrance song was pumping too, even though it was brazillian hip-hop.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Hey Noah is that how your mother died….I am so sorry…..I think the best entrance and entrance song was Luke Cummo’s entrance with a Ski mask on his first fight on TUF 2….
January 9th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Chris are you 12 or something talking about someone’s mama? i dont think none of those song were good except maybe born in the USA i cant think of any but i know there alot better ones than those!
January 9th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
BIG CHRIS, is that because your mother can only enter a room with a ski mask on? I am so sorry…douchebag. I agree with Chris, Silvas’ song was sweet too.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
your mother is 12….”Da Pit dont think none of those song were good, and he cant think of any but he know there alot better ones than those.” Nice Job Da Pit, thank you for this incredible insight…..
January 9th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
“Go To Sleep” by DMX, Eminem and Obie Trice. Nuff said!
January 9th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
How did you know totaldb?? Nice call buddy….yes she is a multi colored ski mask wearer….it covers her unsightly mole….
January 9th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
personly i think that AC/DC - TNT would be a better intrance song than the one on the list
January 9th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
I’m quite sure if he played Springsteen’s Pony Boy, things would’ve been different:
http://www.brucespringsteen.net/songs/PonyBoy.html
January 9th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
@ Anthony, the Agent:
Were those songs ever used by anyone during ring entrances? Y’know, because this list is about *actual entrance music*…
January 9th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
How about this : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYryevHIZGw
January 9th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
what,s wrong with french rap? gsp’s “samurai” is awesome. Just because you dont understand the lyrics doesnt mean it’s bad.
January 10th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
great post — I guess I never really paid much attention to the relevence of the song the fighters chose (except for the obvious “Born in the USA”). I knew the song chosen by Huerta was obviously chosen for the style of music, but the meaning now makes it awesome. Forrest’s and Bisping’s are awesome in retrospect, and I never caught the way the song builds for Franklin, but since you mentioned it, it’s pretty sweet. One entrance i really liked was Koscheck at 68 when he beat Sanchez — “This is why i’m hot” by MIMS.
January 25th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Spencer Fisher, “God’s Gonna Cut You Down,” Johnny Cash. Fan-damn-tastic.
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:19 am
what was tim silvia’s entrance song on ufc 81
February 14th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
When Rampage came out to “Can’t Be Touched” by Roy Jones Jr and Body Head Bangers it was so intense. Just read the lyrics http://www.lyriczz.com/lyriczz.php?songid=16890
February 26th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Ah, when I heard shipping up to Boston as Griffins entrance song I actually stood up and sang along. And I seldom stand up.
A honorable mention might be B.J Penns use of kamakawiwo’oles Hawaii 78, it’s awesome.