For the vast majority of mixed martial artists, the track they march out to carries personal weight. It might be a tune tied to their youth, a song that channels their home region, or simply something that gets their adrenaline pumping — but there's almost always a deeper reason behind the selection.
Below, we explore the walkout tracks chosen by ten MMA athletes hailing from Alberta.
Riley Pequin: Kane Brown – Hometown
"I love the lyrics about wanting to make your hometown proud, and the beat works really well too. There's just a great, uplifting energy to it."
Randy Mahon: Jorge Quintero – 300 Violin Orchestra
"When all the chaos races through your mind heading into the cage, the moment this song starts playing everything calms down. I can finally relax and zero in on what needs to happen."
Teddy Ash: Creedence Clearwater Revival – Bad Moon Rising
"That song really resonates with me, particularly because of the loss of my friend. I pick a fresh track for each outing, and every one holds its own emotional significance."
Isaiah Metituk: Kevin Gates – Make Em' Believe
"Fresh off back-to-back defeats, I felt this song captured exactly what I needed to prove to people. It put me in the right headspace. I've been a massive WWE fan since I was a kid, and the walkout means everything to me."
Cody Krahn: Run the Jewels – Don't Get Captured
"They deliver incredible beats and tons of energy without ever crossing into excessive aggression."
Cam Macdonald: Steve Earle – Copperhead Road
"I tend to gravitate toward selections that carry meaning. This one happens to be my absolute favourite track dating all the way back to my childhood."
Tanner Boser: Bob Dylan – Blowin' In The Wind
"I prefer staying calm and composed before stepping in, and while the tempo is slow, the lyrics truly ignite something in me."
Menad Abella: The Notorious B.I.G. – Juicy
"I grew up with this track on repeat. Our family faced serious financial hardship and went through countless hardships, but martial arts was always there to keep me moving forward."
Dakota Ruttan: Nirvana – The Man Who Sold the World
"It's incredibly soothing to me and helps ease my pre-fight jitters. Fewer nerves means fewer errors. The mental side of combat is undeniably a massive component."
Keegan Oliver: Ice Cube – No Vaseline
"There's usually friction between me and whoever I'm facing. Combat is inherently confrontational, and a confrontational track is perfect for getting ready to go to war."
