Despite their attempts to tell you otherwise, a part of why UFC has garnered so much popularity is due to the showmanship involved. The ability to come through the screen and connect with viewers is what separates a fighter like Chael Sonnen from a pound-for-pound monster like Jose Aldo. Aldo, the dominant featherweight champion, is quiet and reserved, choosing to let his skills do his talking for him, while Sonnen is the brash, outspoken character that channels over-the-top sports personalities like Muhammed Ali and Ric Flair. Its the reason hes been placed into title shots that he arguably didnt deserve. Because the man sells tickets. Part of that showmanship is the fighters entrance. A great tool for getting the crowd excited is the music that plays when the athlete enters the arena. Many sports, from baseball to pro wrestling, utilize the theatrics of the entrance. The now-defunct Pride Fighting Championship in Japan did a masterful job creating memorable entrances for their fighters, with music, pyro, thematic props and sometimes even dancers. For their part, UFC usually has subdued entrances, with little more than music, and for the bigger stars, adjusted lighting. Most fighters choose a signature song, so that when those opening notes hit you know exactly who is on their way to the cage, while others prefer to mix it up for each fight. Weve seen some truly memorable entrances over the years, and for this article were going to take a look at 10 of the best.
Brad Hamilton is a writer, musician and marketer/social media manager from Atlanta, Georgia. He's an undefeated freestyle rap battle champion, spends too little time being productive and defines himself as the literary version of Brock Lesnar.
