SUMMARY
- Sean Strickland, in his first middleweight title defense, faced off against Dricus du Plessis in the main event of UFC 297.
- Here are the top 7 walkout songs used in UFC 287 by the fighters.
The UFC made a triumphant return to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, gracing the Scotiabank Arena with its presence for UFC 297, the inaugural pay-per-view spectacle of the year. This star-studded event showcased a robust lineup, featuring two title bouts and pivotal matchups that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Sean Strickland, in his first middleweight title defense, faced off against the formidable Dricus du Plessis in the main event but fell short, relinquishing his championship. The card lived up to its promise of delivering compelling contests as fighters sought to establish their prowess in the octagon, striving to etch their names into the annals of this highly anticipated event.
Beyond the intense battles within the ring, fighters seized the opportunity to convey their individuality through their walkout songs. Now, with the exhilarating moments of UFC 297 lingering in our memories, let’s take a look at a ranking of the top seven walkout songs used during UFC 297 on January 20, 2024.
7. Chris Curtis: “Metalingus” by Edge
The American MMA fighter Chris Curtis surprised fans with his choice of walkout music. Chris, aka ‘The Action Man’, chose “Metalingus” as his song of choice. As all WWE fans would know, this is the walkout theme for the WWE Hall of Famer and pro wrestler, Edge. This music sent the fans present cage-side into a frenzy, as not many were expecting Curtis to pull off something like this.
6. Sean Strickland: “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” by Megaraptor
Sean Strickland walked out to the Octagon with his head held high and the middleweight belt in his bag. In possibly the biggest test of his career up to date, the former UFC Middleweight Champion chose to walk out to his iconic “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” by Megaraptor.
This choice definitely suits Strickland, as the song itself talks about an American soldier returning after fighting the Civil War. Though there is no doubt that he would have liked to win and retain his title over Dricus du Plessis, Strickland did give us the war he promised.
5. Raquel Pennington: “The Bravest” by Sir Roosevelt
Raquel ‘Rocky’ Pennington became the new UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion at UFC 297. She won the belt vacated by MMA legend Amanda Nunez last year. Raquel Pennington beat Mayra Bueno Silva in the co-main event of the night via unanimous decision. The new champ walked out to “The Bravest” by Sir Roosevelt.
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If Raquel was lacking any motivation while walking out to the octagon, the inspiring lyrics of the song surely would have rejuvenated her confidence.
4. Jimmy Flick: “Started from the Bottom” by Drake
In literally the first fight of the night in the early prelims of the card, Jimmy Flick went up against Malcolm Gordon. Jimmy won the fight in the second round via submission. Befitting the whole event of UFC 297, Jimmy Flick walked out to the superhit hip-hop track by Drake, “Started from the Bottom“.
All it took was TWO ROUNDS 👀@JimmyFlick gets the second round submission!
[ #UFC297 | Watch LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/lNb1eSrFlw
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2024
The reason why this walkout music felt extra special was because UFC 297 took place in Toronto, Canada, the homeland of Drake. Drake was later present cage-side to watch the event unfold. The fans in the Scotiabank Arena were surely buzzing when they heard the track play.
3. Arnold Allen’s “We Will Rock You” by Queen
In the featherweight bout on the main card at UFC 297, Arnold Allen took on Movsar Evloev. During the fight, Arnold attacked Evloev with an illegal knee, which Movsar went on to win, but Arnold Allen sure has great musical taste. The English fighter walked out to the famed classic rock track “We Will Rock You” by Queen.
Though the familiar and energetic beats of the track reverberating throughout the arena couldn’t translate into Allen‘s performance, it was a hell of a sight to watch the whole arena sing along with the rock band’s iconic masterpiece.
2. Mike Malott: “Fat Lip” by Sum 41
Mike “Proper” Malott might have been handed his first UFC loss by the seemingly evergreen Neil Magny. But the Canadian Mike Malott won many hearts inside the Scotiabank Arena when he walked out to “Fat Lip,” a song by the famous rock band Sum 41 from Ajax, Ontario, Canada.
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The crowd cheered Malott on as he made his way towards the octagon. Mike Mallot, known for finishing his opponents every time he stepped inside the cage, was the one who tasted his own medicine. Neil Magny extended his record of welterweight wins in the UFC after defeating Mike via knockout in round 3 with just 15 seconds left on the clock.
1. Sam Patterson: “Rumble” by Skrillex, Fred Again and Flowdan
Sam Patterson was featured on the early prelims card of UFC 297, where he faced off against Yohan Lainesse in a welterweight bout. In the second round, he won the fight via submission when he put his opponent in a rear naked choke.
The British fighter walked out to one of the best electronic music tracks in recent history. “Rumble” by Skrillex, Fred Again, and Flowdan has been ruling over social media ever since it was dropped over a year ago. All the fans present in the arena were bumping up and down as soon as the track started playing during Patterson’s walkout.
Which one of these is your favorite? What track would you have played if you were a UFC fighter? Let us know in the comments below.