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Couture shows Toney the ‘Mean Street’ with UFC 118 walk-in music

UFC 118

Gregory Payan / AP

Randy Couture, top, in action against James Toney during a UFC heavyweight fight on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010, at the TD Garden in Boston. Couture defeated Toney by first-round triangle choke.

UFC 118

Frankie Edgar, top, in action against BJ Penn during their lightweight title fight on Saturday, August 28, 2010, at the TD Garden in Boston. Edgar retained his title via unanimous decision. Launch slideshow »

Keeping with his theme of classic rock walk in music, UFC legend Randy Couture went with another iconic act to signal his arrival into the octagon in Boston’s TD Garden.

The frenetic pace of the guitar heavy intro to Van Halen’s “Mean Street” matched the speed of Couture’s flurry of punches that neutralized boxer James Toney.

The echoing refrain of “Come on down to Mean Street” seemed a somewhat taunting invitation from the MMA veteran to the seasoned boxer. Perhaps Couture wasn’t trying to imply his sport was more challenging that Toney’s, but simply a warning MMA would not be an easy transition for any newcomer. It proved not to be as Toney quickly tapped after Couture applied a choke hold midway through the first round.

James Toney chose the Rick Ross rap “B.M.F.” While Eminem and DMX tunes are no strangers to the octagon’s airwaves, Rick Ross was a slightly different flavor. The repetitive background rhythm may have served as a steadying force for Toney as he walked into the octagon for the first time, likely full of anticipation mixed with adrenaline.

In the song, Ross equates himself to gangster figures Larry Hoover and Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory. Naturally the MMA rookie would want to pump up his image, as he had no track record in the UFC and this song served its purpose to mentally pump the fighter up and boost his image. Unfortunately for him, his performance did not live up to the hype of his song.

Perhaps it’s time for BJ Penn to change his tune. His standard walk in song, ”Hawaii '78”, which transitioned into ”E Ala E” by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, led him to yet another loss to Frankie Edgar. In pre-fight interviews, Penn said, “I'm constantly thinking about how to tweak little areas to keep up with these young kids."

Not that it has any measurable bearing on the outcome of a fight, but Penn is holding onto his customary tune and has been grinding his way to losses twice in his last two hard-fought battles. The peaceful introspective song may calm his nerves but maybe what Penn needs is an emphatic, in-your-face battle cry like a rock anthem or even a peppy track from artists such as The Beastie Boys. It may not necessarily be his style but losing isn’t either.

Edgar, on the other hand, took a humorous approach to the questions of his legitimacy against a veteran like Penn. Notorious B.I.G.’s “Kick in the Door” was a perfect choice for the fighter who has been forced to be on the defensive about his abilities ever since defeating former lightweight champion Penn in April.

Biggie’s cry of “This goes out for those that choose to use/ Disrespectful views on the King of NY” seems to represent Edgar’s hard road to legitimized prominence. His second win over Penn has finally removed the doubt in many critics’ eyes and further established his skills as fact and not fluke.

In another fresh rap choice, Amilcar Alves walked out to the Body Head Bangerz song “Can’t be Touched.” Both the song title and group’s name imply indestructibility, an element of any great walk-in song. The opening lines of “Can't be touched/ Can't be stopped/ Can't be moved/ Can't be rocked“ exuded confidence. Despite his best attempts on his feet and from the ground, Alves proved he could be touched and was indeed rocked by opponent Mike Pierce.

Marcus Davis came in with a clear game plan in the words of his upbeat anthem “Jump Around” by House of Pain. The lyrics “I came to win/ Battle me that's a sin” clearly indicated to his opponent Nate Diaz exactly how he saw the fight playing out. The humorous declaration, “Word to your moms, I came to drop bombs” proved true in the early rounds but he eventually succumbed to a guillotine choke in the third round after both fighters were bloodied.

One of the more unusual tracks of the night was the choice of John Salter who went with “I’ll Attack” by 30 Second to Mars. The alternative rock band seemed an offbeat choice for a fighter’s walk in music though the lyrics and title were incredibly appropriate. The lyrics, “I won’t suffer, be broken/ Get tired, or wasted” seemed like a great expression of confidence though Salter went the path of Marcus Davis and also tapped to a choke he could not escape.

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