The first UFC event of 2025, UFC Vegas 101/UFC Fight Night 249 is set to go down at the Apex in Nevada on January 11! It will be headlined by a highly anticipated strawweight rematch between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas. But that’s not all! Featuring some intriguing middleweight matchups and the debut of a promising name from DWCS (Dana White Contender Series), UFC Vegas 101 promises to kick off the year with a bang.

But as the fighters get ready for war, one crucial aspect cannot be ignored: their walkout music. A fighter’s walkout song is more than just background noise—it’s a window into their mindset. It sets the tone, pumps up the crowd, and becomes a personal anthem for the warrior stepping into the Octagon!

What are Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas’s walkout songs for UFC Vegas 101?

Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas 2 isn’t just a rematch—it’s a chapter waiting to be rewritten. The two faced off against one another back in 2019, and Ribas walked away victorious with a unanimous decision. The fight was also Dern’s first loss in her professional career. Since then, both women have improved by leaps and bounds. Currently, Dern is ranked no. 6 in the strawweight division and Ribas holds the no. 8 spot.

Dern usually walks out to “Righteous” by Hippie Sabotage, a moody anthem that mirrors her journey of resilience and redemption. The track’s haunting beats carry the weight of her mission to prove she belongs at the top of the strawweight division.

Ribas, on the other hand, prefers to enter while “Omnia” by Fee Ra Huri plays, an ethereal tune with Celtic vibes that speaks to her spirited approach to the fight game. The song’s uplifting tempo matches Ribas’ energy—a warrior seemingly dancing her way back to strawweight dominance.

In the co-main event, Santiago Ponzinibbio takes on Carlston Harris as the two welterweight veterans look to light up the Apex at UFC Vegas 101. Ponzinibbio is looking to bounce back from a 2-fight skid and regain some momentum in the division. Harris, who also came up short in his last fight against Khaos Williams, is determined to make sure he walks away with his hand raised this time around.

Ponzinibbio has chosen, “Pa’ la Selección” by La T y La M, a Latin anthem roaring with national pride for his walkouts in the past. Meanwhile, Harris comes out to “Champion” by Mobflames, a bold statement of his intentions. The Guyanese fighter enters with swagger, his song practically declaring, I’m here to win!

Cesar Almeida, Abdul Razak Alhassan, and Chris Curtis’s walkout songs at UFC Vegas 101

Every fight tells a tale, and every song plays its part. Middleweights Cesar Almeida and Abdul Razak Alhassan will clash in a battle of power and precision at UFC Vegas 101. Almeida last stepped into the cage against Ihor Poteiria at UFC 307, where he secured a unanimous decision win. The Brazilian strides out to “DNA” by Kendrick Lamar, a track as sharp and impactful as his striking style.

Alhassan, on the other hand, found his last fight ending in a no-contest due to him landing accidental elbows on the back of his opponent’s head. Before that, he had lost via submission to Joe Pyfer in 2023. His choice of song? “Kwaku the Traveler” by Black Sherif, is a possible nod to his journey as a fighter enduring setbacks but always moving forward!

Chris Curtis and Roman Kopylov’s middleweight showdown adds its own flavor to the main card. While ‘The Action Man’ lost a close split decision to Brendan Allen in his last fight, his walkout song drew a lot of scrutiny! Why? Curtis explained in a post on social media after the fight, “Last night at dinner I got a call saying my walkout song (The Rumbling by Stim) wasn’t approved by the execs. I was low key kinda pi**d so I went with Diddy thinking, There is no way they’ll approve this then…” but I’m petty and a smart a**. Jokes on me, they definitely approved it, so we just went with it. Lol Diddy is terrible, but it was kinda hilarious. I’ll do better in the future”

As such, the song, “Bad Boy For Life”, may not see an encore for Curtis’s UFC Vegas 101 walk-out and fans will be waiting to see what he picks this time around. Kopylov, on the other hand, chooses to walk-out to “My Motherland Siberia”, and lets his performance do the talking—no frills, just business.

More walkout songs for UFC Vegas 101 main card fighters

In the featherweight matchup, young stars Christian Rodriguez and Austin Bashi are determined to prove they belong with the UFC elite. Rodriguez is currently 4-2 in the UFC and has even handed Raul Rosas Jr. the first and only defeat in his short career at UFC 287. He opts for “Quema” by Ryan Castro and Peso Pluma, a vibrant track pulsing with youthful energy. It mirrors his dynamic style and fearless approach.

Meanwhile, his opponent, Austin Bashi, a promising DWCS signing, is looking to make his debut with a bang at the Apex. The prospect is 13-0 in his career so far and it’ll be interesting to see what song he chooses for his highly anticipated first walk-out to the Octagon.

And finally, the welterweight clash between Punahele Soriano and Uros Medic. Soriano dropped down to welterweight for his last fight against Miguel Baeza, where he won a unanimous decision. This snapped a two-fight losing streak and he’ll be looking to continue on the same path at UFC Vegas 101. Soriano’s choice of walking out to “Trinity (Titoli)” from Django Unchained, evokes an old-school gunslinger vibe, an apt choice for a high-stakes duel.

Uros Medic finished veteran Tim Means with a vicious TKO in his last fight and will attempt to do the same to Soriano, given the opportunity. His song of choice? A rock classic, Led Zeppelin’s iconic “Immigrant Song”, a battle cry that speaks of conquest and resilience—a perfect match for his own path through the UFC’s ranks.

As UFC Vegas 101 approaches, the anticipation builds for not just the action inside the Octagon but the stories each fighter brings with them. From Mackenzie Dern’s haunting anthem of resilience to Uros Medic’s rock-infused battle cry, these walkout songs are more than melodies—they’re declarations of intent! What’s your favorite walkout song from the list above? Let us know your picks in the comments!