The Psychology of Walkout Music in MMA

Music is the expression of emotion or the telling of a story. It is what entertains, pumps up and gets us to focus. Simply, music is an important part of human life. Think about it. How often do you listen to music in a day? If I were to guess, am…

Music is the expression of emotion or the telling of a story. It is what entertains, pumps up and gets us to focus. Simply, music is an important part of human life. 

Think about it. How often do you listen to music in a day? If I were to guess, among the times you listen to music, working out, doing homework and partying are three times of the week you rock out.

Now, if you are like me, music gets you pumped up or in the zone when you are ready to play sports. I myself play hockey, and I have certain bands and songs that I listen to when getting in the zone.

Take that idea and apply it to the world’s most intense, disciplined sport. I, of course, am talking about mixed martial arts. 

If there is one thing for certain, it’s that you can’t enter the cage with your mind in another place. To get to the psyche you need to fight in the cage, certain music must be listened to by a fighter.

Take notice of fighters at the weigh-ins and the walk to the cage. At the weigh-ins, many of the fighters can be seen wearing headphones. While this may be viewed as a way to pass time, I see it as a method of keeping the fighter focused and on track to making weight. 

Then there is the walk to the cage. While some fighters, such as BJ Penn, Anderson Silva and Michael Bisping, listen to the same song every time they walk to the cage, other fighters switch it up to the song that has got their blood moving lately. It could be a hot new release or an old song they have been addicted to lately.

Music brings out all sorts of emotions. If getting into a rhythm or looking to get focused is your goal, a smooth-paced rap or hip hop song is the way to go. Anderson Silva prefers “Ain’t No Sunshine” by DMX, while Jon Jones listens to “God Gave Me Style” by 50 Cent.

If you are like me, you like to get into a hardcore, take no prisoners mood before competition. Clay Guida has a similar mindset as myself, as he comes out to frantic music for every fight. His style compliments his music, as most fighters’ music does.

Music depends on a person’s personality. The psychology of walkout music is simple. However you act or wish to perform is what you will listen to on the way out.

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