As the highly anticipated UFC 318 in New Orleans draws near, fighters are not only honing their combat skills, but also carefully selecting the soundtrack to their battle. Walkout music has become a crucial ritual that connects the locker room to the Octagon, and it often reveals more about a fighter than any pre-fight interview ever could.
One fighter who knows the importance of walkout music is Dustin Poirier. The Louisiana native is set to face off against Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 318, and his choice of entrance music is not one to be taken lightly. Poirier will be walking out to “Louisiana Saturday Night” by Mel McDaniel, a fitting choice for the hometown hero looking to claim victory in front of his own people.
But for Poirier, walkout music is more than just a song to pump him up before a fight. It’s a representation of his roots and his journey to the Octagon. Growing up in Lafayette, Louisiana, Poirier was exposed to a variety of music, from country to hip hop to rock. And he makes sure to incorporate all of these influences into his walkout music.
In an interview with UFC, Poirier said, “I want to play music that represents me and where I come from. I want to show people who I am and where I’m from.” This sentiment is shared by many fighters who carefully select their walkout music as a way to express their individuality and connect with their fans.
Another fighter who takes his walkout music seriously is Max Holloway. The Hawaiian native is known for his electric fighting style and his walkout song, “Hawaiian Kickboxer” by Fiji, perfectly captures the energy and spirit of his home state. But for Holloway, walkout music is not just about representing his culture, it’s also about getting into the right mindset before a fight.
In an interview with MMA Junkie, Holloway said, “My walkout song is very important to me. It’s something that gets me in the zone and helps me focus on the task at hand.” And it’s clear that his walkout song has been working for him, with an impressive 14-fight win streak and the UFC Featherweight Championship belt to his name.
But it’s not just the main event fighters who put thought into their walkout music. Rising star Paulo Costa, who will be facing off against Uriah Hall at UFC 318, has also chosen a song that reflects his personality and fighting style. Costa will be walking out to “O Canto da Sereia” by MC Maneirinho, a high-energy Brazilian funk track that perfectly captures the intensity and excitement of his fights.
In an interview with MMA Fighting, Costa explained his choice of walkout music, saying, “This song has a lot of energy, it’s something that makes me want to dance. And my fights are like a dance, I dance with my opponent in there.” Costa’s walkout song not only reflects his Brazilian roots, but also his confident and entertaining fighting style.
But walkout music is not just about the fighters, it’s also about the fans. It’s a way for the audience to connect with their favorite fighters and show their support. And with the rise of social media, fans now have a say in what songs their favorite fighters walk out to.
The UFC recently introduced a new feature called “UFC Sound,” which allows fans to vote for the walkout songs of their favorite fighters. This not only gives fans a chance to be a part of the action, but also allows them to discover new music and artists through their favorite fighters.
In an interview with UFC, Poirier expressed his excitement about the new feature, saying, “It’s a cool way to get fans more involved in the event and the fighters.” With the power of social media, walkout music has become a way for fighters to connect with their fans on a deeper level and create a memorable experience for everyone involved.
As UFC 318 approaches, fans can expect to hear a variety of songs that represent the fighters and their journeys to the Octagon. From hometown anthems to high-energy dance tracks, walkout music has become an integral part of the UFC experience. So when the fighters make their way to the Octagon, pay attention to their walkout songs, because they may just reveal more about them than any pre-fight interview ever could.
