Within the high-stakes world of blended martial arts, the place each step towards the cage is a psychological battle, walkout music serves as the final word hype machine. Among the many various soundtracks chosen by fighters—from hip-hop bangers to orchestral swells—one band reigns supreme within the heavy metallic nook: Metallica. The thrash legends’ blistering riffs and James Hetfield’s snarling vocals have powered numerous UFC and MMA entrances, turning arenas into mosh pits of anticipation.
However with licensing hurdles often sidelining the band (as lamented by fighters like Carla Esparza in 2017), their songs stay fan-favorite staples when cleared to be used. Drawing from historic UFC occasions, fighter profiles, and iconic moments, we’ve ranked the highest 5 Metallica tracks that blended martial artists have blasted throughout their walkouts. These choices are primarily based on frequency of use, cultural influence, and crowd vitality, as chronicled throughout MMA media. Buckle up—it’s time to headbang into the rankings.
1. “Enter Sandman” – The Unequalled King of Intimidation
No Metallica tune screams “MMA walkout” louder than “Enter Sandman.” Its ominous guitar intro and explosive refrain have develop into synonymous with dominance, most famously embodied by WWE-turned-UFC beast Brock Lesnar. Lesnar stormed the cage to this observe at UFC 100, UFC 200, and past, reworking it into a logo of uncooked energy that also echoes in spotlight reels. The tune’s recognition extends past Lesnar; it’s a go-to for fighters searching for that nightmare-before-Christmas vibe, making it the undisputed No. 1 in MMA lore.
2. “For Whom the Bell Tolls” – The Bell Tolls for Thee
With its tolling bell riff mirroring the Octagon’s beginning gong, “For Whom the Bell Tolls” is poetic perfection for fighters staring down mortality. Veteran welterweight Matt “The Immortal” Brown made it his signature, utilizing it to affect crowds throughout bouts like UFC Struggle Evening 103 in 2017. Brown’s relentless fashion synced flawlessly with the observe’s constructing aggression, proving why this Kill ‘Em All traditional tolls loudest within the welterweight division.
3. “Harvester of Sorrow” – Reaping Strawweight Glory
From the gritty depths of …And Justice for All, “Harvester of Sorrow” harvests hype with its chugging riffs and vengeful lyrics. Strawweight pioneer Carla Esparza wielded it like a scythe at UFC 197 in 2016 and her title-winning efficiency at The Final Fighter 14 Finale, the place she submitted Rose Namajunas to say gold. Esparza’s alternative highlighted the tune’s underdog fury, turning a deep reduce right into a staple for resilient grapplers.
4. “Grasp of Puppets” – Strings of Management within the Cage
The title observe from Metallica’s magnum opus is a masterclass in tension-building solos, ideally suited for fighters pulling the strings on their opponents. Polish middleweight Bartosz Fabinski unleashed it at UFC Struggle Evening 78 in 2015, channeling the tune’s anti-addiction rage into his ground-and-pound sport. Although Fabinski’s UFC run was brief, the observe’s complexity has impressed sporadic makes use of, cementing its standing as a cerebral alternative for technical strikers.
5. “Search and Destroy” – Searching Victory within the Wild
Rounding out the highest 5 is the relentless hunter’s anthem from Trip the Lightning. Canadian welterweight Rory MacDonald deployed it at UFC 170 in 2014, embodying the tune’s predatory drive throughout his prime as a prime contender. The observe’s high-octane vitality has additionally nodded in occasion naming (UFC 87: Search and Destroy), underscoring its match for aggressive pursuits within the Octagon.
Metallica’s enduring grip on MMA walkouts isn’t simply concerning the music—it’s the shared ethos of perseverance and fury that binds thrash metallic to the combat sport. As UFC evolves with new stars like Sean O’Malley favoring flashy pop-rap, these timeless tracks remind us why some riffs are constructed for battle.
What’s your dream Metallica walkout? Pontificate within the feedback. Till the bell rings once more, keep heavy.
