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Rap rules the airwaves at UFC 111

UFC 111: GSP, Carwin Victorious

Shane Carwin nabs the interim heavyweight belt after his KO of Frank Mir in the first round, while Georges St. Pierre maintains his welterweight title.

St. Pierre v. Hardy

UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, top, in action against Dan Hardy during their match at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Saturday, March 27, 2010.  St. Pierre methodically defeated Hardy by a unanimous, five-round decision in the main event of UFC 111 and retained his welterweight belt. Launch slideshow »

With songs like “Mama Said Knock You Out” and “Indestructible” on past UFC playlists, it’s hard to find a song more fitting for a fight scenario.

Shane Carwin managed to do just that with his choice of Drowning Pool’s “Bodies,” a song that succinctly summed up his first-round TKO victory over Las Vegas fighter Frank Mir at UFC 111.

With its repetitive chorus of “Let the bodies hit the floor,” Carwin’s song choice made a statement about his intentions inside the Octagon. Frank Mir’s body did hit the floor at the hands of Carwin and it stayed there until referee Dan Mirgliotta called the fight.

After putting on 20 pounds of muscle since his last fight, Frank Mir looked to be in good shape, but his performance didn't live up to his song choice of Kanye West’s “Amazing.”

Other rap and hip-hop songs ruled the airwaves inside the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Ben Saunders marched in to The Game and Lil Wayne’s “My Life.” The chorus of “I’m grinding until I’m tired” seemed appropriate toward the end of the third round when Saunders was dominated for the final two minutes. Perhaps stating you will work hard until you get tired isn’t the best battle cry for a fighter.

Fabricio Camoes also stuck to a rap song, Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” The staccato thumping bass line made for a steady and confident strut to the Octagon. The opening lines “Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity / To seize everything you ever wanted-One moment / Would you capture it?” might sum up what is through the mind of each fighter before entering the Octagon. The song stresses the importance of a UFC-caliber fight in the national spotlight. Though his nerves didn't seem to get the best of him like the song warned, opponent Kurt Pellegrino did when he was able to sink in a rear naked choke in the second round.

Jim Miller’s bluesy song, "Woke Up this Morning” by Alabama 3, better known as the Sopranos theme song, exuded toughness. Perhaps because of its association with the mafia world of the TV show, or because of the grittiness of the vocals, the song has an intensity about it that makes for a memorable entrance. Miller was able to parlay his confident walk down the tunnel into a narrow decision victory over Mark Bocek.

Brit Dan Hardy chose to play up his national pride with the choice of “England Belongs to Me” by Cock Sparrer. Though England might belong to him, victory didn't Saturday night, as he was unable to dethrone Georges St. Pierre. Hardy did stay true to the anthem’s code “Heads held high, fighting all the way” as he forced the fight to go the distance. With his Gumby-like ability to survive the most painful looking armbar, Hardy’s valiant attempt to unseat the welterweight champ likely made his country proud, despite a losing result.

Georges St. Pierre closed out the night with one final rap, this time a rags-to-riches rhyme from Notorious B.I.G. The song “Juicy” relates the success story of Notorious B.I.G. as he climbed to the top of the heap much the way GSP has done in the MMA world. As Biggie chanted, “You know very well who you are/ Don't let ‘em hold you down, reach for the stars,” it was clear St. Pierre knew how far he had come and wasn't about to give up his belt and all he had accomplished. After battling it out for five rounds and nearly submitting his opponent several times, GSP earned the victory and the right to sip the champagne his walk-in song promised.

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