The World of combat sports has seen some iconic moments. From Muhammed Ali and George Foreman throwing hands in the rumble in the jungle. To Floyd Mayweather vs Oscar Del La Hoya, to Connor McGregor knocking out Jose Aldo to become lightweight UFC champion in 13 seconds. However, for every fight there must be two walkouts and there have been some iconic walkouts to match some great performances.
10. Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte, 2022
The Gypsy King brought out the stakes for his Wembley return in a domestic fight against Dillian Whyte in what people thought wasn’t a great match up. However, Fury brought out a great performance in his walkout coming out in a St Georges themed rope. He even came out in a throne. He also had three songs played in the walkout. Starting with American Pie by Don McLean, Juicy by Biggie and Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon. Fury won the fight by 6th round knockout.
9. Terence Crawford vs Errol Spence Jr, 2023
The pound for pound great came out in a ‘sharks net’ outfit playing on the phrase that Spence was comparing himself too, when bringing out Eminem to rap his iconic tune lose yourself to the ring. That is some way to hype yourself up for a fight. Crawford beat Spence by TKO in round 9.
8. Canelo Alveraz vs John Ryder, 2023
Canelo’s homecoming fight in Guadalajara had to be special. The walkout featured s full mariachi band to perform his normal walkout song por mi mexico. As well as fireworks, flag bearers and of course a crown fit for a king. Canelo defended his titles as he defeated Ryder by decision.
7. Brian Ortega vs Alexander Volkanovski, UFC 266, 2021
T-City brought out the eary walkout to intimidate the inform Volkanovski in their featherweight title fight. The Siren and warning message from the movie the purge rings out across the arena, with Ortega and his crew coming out in Purge masks just like in the film. The walkout was a lot better than his performance as he went on to lose against the Volk by decision.
6. Tyson Fury vs Tom Schwarz, 2019
Fury started walking from his dressing room in just a plain black rope to the song freed by desire by GALA but as he came out to the crowd in an Uncle Sam-esque outfit playing homage to the Rocky films. Tyson won the fight by second round TKO. What a way to introduce yourself to America.
5. Floyd Mayweather vs Oscar De La Hoya, 2007
The Money Team brought out all the stakes against Golden Boy with a full on Mexican themed walkout wearing a Mexican flag coloured Sombrero and rope. To top it all of he got 50 Cent to rap ‘straight to the bank’ as he walked to the ring. Mayweather became the biggest combat sports after his decision win. One of the great nights for the undefeated fighter.
4. Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte, 2015
AJ was on rise to becoming multiple belt world champion and his domestic fight against his main rival Dillian Whyte was a fight for the ages. His walkout included an on stage walk to the ring and a performance from Stormzy of his song, Shut Up, from inside the ring. AJ went on to win the fight by a 7th round knockout.
3. Nate Diaz vs Conor McGregor 2, UFC 202, 2016
Three and two have to be put in together as this iconic rivalry had even more iconic walk outs. First up is Nate Diaz, the winner of the first fight between the two. Diaz had the tune Ambitionz Az A Ridah by Tupac, the Californian fighter chose the Californian rapper’s iconic tune to walk out to the fight. Diaz was to lose the rematch by decision.
2. Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz 2, UFC 202, 2016
If Nate Diaz’s was good, The Notorious’ was even better. McGregor started with his iconic The Foggy Dew by Sinead O’Connor which he has for every fight for his work from the dressing room. Once McGregor, staring at the camera, arrives at the main arena to the Octagon. The song cuts to Biggie’s iconic tune hypnotise. As if this rivalry couldn’t get any better, Rivalry in the Octagon and in the walkouts. ICONIC.
1, Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker, UFC 243, 2019
This had to be number one. It’s one of the best walkouts of all time. If you have a full on dance routine before you enter and then start to join in once you arrive. You have to have extreme confidence to do so, in any fight let alone a middleweight title fight when you are the challenger. Adesanya and his crew danced to Hype 2 hype by Big Rulez. What’s even better is that Adesanya beat Whittakar by knockout in round 2.
Photo credits: 4ypan4ukahec – https://www.goodfon.com/sports/wallpaper-konor-makgregor-ufc-conor-820.html