MMA
The Most Iconic UFC Walkouts of All Time
In the UFC, the fight doesn’t start when the cage door shuts, it starts when a fighter walks out. Their entrance song echoes through the arena, the crowd roars, and the atmosphere becomes electric! These moments are more than just a walk to the Octagon, they are a statement, a ritual, and sometimes even a preview of what’s to come. For decades, UFC walkouts have created unforgettable moments. The music, the fighter’s attitude, and the crowd’s reaction all come together to create something special. Some walkouts become as legendary as the fights themselves, adding to a fighter’s legacy.
Colby Covington//Getty Images
Most Iconic UFC Walkouts
Check out the table below and a more detailed description of these walkouts in the rest of the story.
| Fighter | Event & Year | Entrance Song | Crowd Reaction & Atmosphere | Why It Was Iconic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conor McGregor | UFC 189, 2015 | The Foggy Dew (Sinead O’Connor, live) / Hypnotize (The Notorious B.I.G.) | The MGM Grand erupted; Irish flags waved, deafening cheers. | Marked McGregor’s rise to superstardom after defeating Chad Mendes. |
| Anderson Silva | UFC 101, 2009 | Ain’t No Sunshine – DMX | Electric yet tense, Silva calmly shadowboxed to his signature song. | Symbolized Silva’s dominance; led to an effortless first-round KO of Forrest Griffin. |
| Jon Jones | UFC 197, 2016 | Coming Home – Diddy-Dirty Money feat. Skylar Grey | Huge reception as Jones returned from suspension, and fans sang along. | It felt like a redemption story, won by unanimous decision vs. Ovince Saint Preux. |
| Darren Till | UFC Fight Night 130, 2018 | Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond | Echo Arena became a massive singalong, drowning out speakers. | One of the most passionate walkouts; it energized Till to a win over Wonderboy. |
| Wanderlei Silva | UFC 79, 2007 | Sandstorm – Darude | Mandalay Bay went wild as Silva marched in with his trademark intensity. | He brought PRIDE history into the UFC; though he lost, his entrance remains legendary. |
| Chuck Liddell | UFC 52, 2005 | Too Cold | Loud cheers before Liddell KO’d Randy Couture. | Cemented his legacy as an all-time great. |
| Georges St-Pierre | UFC 129, 2011 | La Puissance | 55,000 Canadians roared as he entered. | One of the biggest UFC entrances in history. |
| Colby Covington | UFC Fight Night 155, 2019 | Kurt Angle’s WWE theme | Fans chanted “You suck!” in classic pro-wrestling style. | A bold, villainous walkout that matched his persona. |
Let’s look at the most iconic UFC walkouts of all time, where the entrance itself became a moment of history.
Conor McGregor
Event & Year: UFC 189, 2015
Entrance Song: The Foggy Dew by Sinead O’Connor (live performance), followed by Hypnotize by The Notorious B.I.G.
Crowd Reaction & Atmosphere: The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas exploded with energy as over 16,000 fans waved Irish flags and cheered. Sinead O’Connor’s emotional live version of The Foggy Dew set the mood before transitioning into the hip-hop beat of Hypnotize. McGregor walked out with pure confidence, soaking in the deafening noise.
Why It Was Iconic?
This wasn’t just a walkout. It was McGregor’s moment of destiny. He was fighting
Chad Mendes for the interim featherweight title after Jose Aldo pulled out. The live music, the energy of the crowd, and McGregor’s signature swagger made this an unforgettable moment. He went on to win by TKO in the second round, launching him into superstardom.
Anderson Silva
Event & Year: UFC 101, 2009
Entrance Song: Ain’t No Sunshine by DMX
Crowd Reaction & Atmosphere: The Philadelphia crowd at the Wachovia Center was a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Silva was moving up to light heavyweight to face Forrest Griffin, and his signature entrance song, with its dark and intense vibe, set the stage. He walked out relaxed, shadowboxing and swaying to the music, creating an electric atmosphere in the arena.
Why It Was Iconic?
Silva’s walkout became a symbol of his dominance. Ain’t No Sunshine was his signature track, signalling bad news for his opponents. At UFC 101, he delivered one of the most effortless performances ever, dodging Griffin’s punches with ease and knocking him out in the first round. This entrance perfectly captured Silva’s mix of calmness and destruction.
Jon Jones
Event & Year: UFC 197, 2016
Entrance Song: Coming Home by Diddy-Dirty Money feat. Skylar Grey
Crowd Reaction & Atmosphere: The crowd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas erupted as Jones returned from a 15-month suspension. He smiled and danced on his way to the Octagon while the song’s lyrics, “I’m coming home,” played in the background. The energy was a mix of excitement and respect for the light heavyweight GOAT.
Why It Was Iconic?
Jones’ walkout felt like a redemption story. After a long layoff due to legal troubles, he was back to face Ovince Saint Preux for the interim title. The song choice made the moment even more powerful. Jones won the fight by unanimous decision, proving he was still a dominant force in the division.
Darren Till
Event & Year: UFC Fight Night 130, 2018
Entrance Song: Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
Crowd Reaction & Atmosphere: In Liverpool, over 8,500 fans turned the Echo Arena into a massive singalong, belting out Sweet Caroline as Till walked out. The song was so loud that it drowned out the speakers. Till joined in, raising his fists, feeding off the crowd’s energy.
Why It Was Iconic?
This wasn’t just an entrance, it was a celebration. The song is a British sports anthem, and the crowd made the moment unforgettable. Till used the energy to secure a controversial win over Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson. This walkout remains one of the most passionate in UFC history.
Wanderlei Silva
Event & Year: UFC 79, 2007
Entrance Song: Sandstorm by Darude
Crowd Reaction & Atmosphere: The Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas was electric as Sandstorm’s fast-paced techno beat took over. Silva, known as "The Axe Murderer," marched to the Octagon with his trademark intensity. The crowd went wild for the PRIDE legend’s UFC return against Chuck Liddell.
Why It Was Iconic?
Silva’s entrance carried years of PRIDE history into the UFC. Sandstorm had long been his signature song, and it matched his aggressive fighting style. Though he lost to Liddell, this walkout remains one of the most intense and memorable in MMA history.
What Makes a UFC Walkout Iconic?
A great UFC walkout is a mix of key elements:
The music: A song that sets the mood, whether it’s eerie (The Foggy Dew) or energetic (Sandstorm).
The fighter’s attitude: Whether it’s McGregor’s confidence, Silva’s calmness, or Jones’ joy, a fighter’s energy elevates the entrance.
The crowd: When fans sing along, chant, or erupt in cheers, the moment becomes legendary, like Till’s walkout in Liverpool.
The stakes: A title fight, a comeback, or a grudge match adds extra weight to a walkout, making it even more unforgettable.
Other Memorable Walkouts & Underrated Entrances
Chuck Liddell (UFC 52, 2005): He walked out to Too Cold before knocking out Randy Couture for the light heavyweight title.
Georges St-Pierre (UFC 129, 2011): He entered to La Puissance in front of 55,000 screaming Canadians.
Colby Covington (UFC Fight Night 155, 2019): Walked out to Kurt Angle’s WWE theme as the crowd chanted “You suck!” a bold and villainous move.
Conclusion
A fighter’s walkout is more than just a routine. It’s their signature moment. From McGregor’s Irish anthems to Silva’s intense beats, these entrances add excitement and emotion to fight night.
Over the years, UFC walkouts have evolved into theatrical events, blending music and personality to create unforgettable memories.
So, which UFC walkout do you think is the most iconic?
References
- 1
“UFC 52: Couture vs. Liddell.” UFC, www.ufc.com/event/ufc-52
- 2
“UFC 79: Nemesis.” UFC, www.ufc.com/event/ufc-79
- 3
“UFC 101: Declaration.” UFC, www.ufc.com/event/ufc-101
- 4
“UFC 129: St-Pierre vs. Shields.” UFC, www.ufc.com/event/ufc-129
- 5
“UFC 189: Mendes vs. McGregor.” UFC, www.ufc.com/event/ufc-189
- 6
“UFC 197: Jones vs. Saint Preux.” UFC, www.ufc.com/event/ufc-197
- 7
“UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Till.” UFC, www.ufc.com/event/ufc-fight-night-liverpool
- 8
“UFC 52 - Couture vs. Liddell.” Sherdog, www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-52-Couture-vs-Liddell-2988
- 9
“UFC 79 - Nemesis.” Sherdog, www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-79-Nemesis-6148
- 10
“UFC 101 - Declaration.” Sherdog, www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-101-Declaration-10447
- 11
“UFC 189 - Mendes vs. McGregor.” Sherdog, www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-189-Mendes-vs-McGregor-45152
- 12
“UFC 197 - Jones vs. Saint Preux.” Sherdog, www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-197-Jones-vs-Saint-Preux-51307
With a decade of sports writing expertise, Nigel Naicker has crafted compelling content across football leagues like the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, as well as cricket and UFC. A passionate storyteller since 2014, Nigel joins the SportsBoom team, ready to deliver insightful narratives across various sports disciplines.