10 UFC Fighters Using Latin Music to Walk Into the Octagon With Pride and Purpose

The seconds before a fighter steps into the octagon are crucial. The crowd’s energy builds, the lights cut down, and then the music plays. For ten UFC fighters preparing for Noche UFC on September 12, 2026, in Glendale, Arizona, that soundtrack isn’t just an entrance—it’s a statement. Alexa Grasso walks to the iconic mariachi standard“El Son de la Negra.”Tracy Cortez chose Selena’s“Como la Flor,”a song her mother personally asked her to use. These are powerful choices that go far beyond entertainment. They’re declarations of identity, culture, and the roots that shaped these athletes into who they are today.

The diversity of Latin music being represented in the octagon tells an important story. It’s not just one sound or one culture. Kelvin Gastelum brings the traditional ranchera of Vicente Fernández. Edgar Chairez opts for the straightforward declaration“Soy Un Mexicano, Lo Que Hay.”Waldo Cortes-Acosta brings Caribbean dembow energy, while Alex Pereira honors his Pataxó Brazilian Indigenous heritage with music from Sepultura. Each choice reflects a different region, a different tradition, and a different way of expressing pride. The UFC’s Noche UFC tradition, which has been running since 2023, has created a genuine platform where athletes can celebrate their heritage on the world’s biggest stage without apology or compromise.

What makes these walkout songs matter goes deeper than hype. When Tracy Cortez talks about her choice, she describes it as a reminder of her roots and what she stands for—a strong Chicana from immigrant parents pursuing a dream that once seemed impossible. That’s not just music. That’s representation. That’s an athlete using a global platform to tell her community’s story. For country and rural audiences, this resonates on a deep level. We understand the power of honoring where you come from and the importance of family traditions. These fighters are doing exactly that, just on a stage most of us will never experience. What’s your walkout song? What music would you choose to represent who you are?