Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a sport comprised of all styles of fighting including but not limited to jujitsu, boxing, muy thai, and wrestling. One of the biggest MMA competitions is the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), about which I have chosen to write my profile. The UFC is a very bloody and dangerous competition and the intensity and adrenaline that fighters feel must be unreal. As a grappler and boxer I understand some of the drive and feelings that come about in training and sparring, which parallels the progression of a fight, albeit at only a mere fraction of what fighters must feel. I have compiled a playlist to reflect that drive and motivation to fight and to train, and the feelings experienced when sparring. Most of these songs are abbreviated for the sake of space and time, but I included what I feel to be the most significant parts of the songs.
How I Could Just Kill a Man, Cypress Hill
Some people don’t understand why getting choked out or choking someone else out is a “fun” activity for some people. Most people don’t understand why you would want to get into a ring with a man with 4-ounce gloves who is trying to beat the….out of you….there is something inside of some people that allows them or motivates them to do that…don’t get me wrong – in absolutely no way is the UFC or MMA about killing or permantly hurting someone, but there is an element of violence all the same. This song takes it to another level, but all the same expresses the differences between those that do fight and those that don’t.
Here is something you can't understand, How I could just kill a man, Here is something you can't understand, How I could just kill a man, Here is something you can't understand, How I could just kill a man, Here is something you can't understand, How I could just kill a man, Here is something you can't understand, I'm ignoring all the dumb shit, Yo, because nothing is coming from it, I'm not gonna waste no time fuckin' around my gat straight humming, Hummin', Coming at ya, Yeah ya know I had to gatt ya, Time for some action, Just a fraction of friction, I got the clearance, To run the interference, Into your satellite, Shining a battle light, Sen got the gatt and I know that he'll gatt you right, Here's an example, Just a little sample, How I could just kill a man
Headstrong, Trapt
This is a good song to get adrenaline pumping, and it conveys an appropriate attitude for sparring and fighting – aggressive, defiant, and confident.
Back off, I'll take you on, Headstrong to take on anyone, I know that you are wrong, Headstrong, we're headstrong, Back off, I'll take you on, Headstrong to take on anyone, I know that you are wrong, And this is not where you belong, I can't give everything away, I won't give everything away
Break Stuff, Limp Bizkit
Fighting is cathartic and many days it’s my release and emotional regulatory system, if you will. I am pretty sure that I’m not unique in that respect and this song exemplifies the feelings of aggression and the desire to release them.
Its just one of those days , When you don't wanna wake up, Everything is fucked, Everybody sux, You don't really know why, But you want justify, Rippin' someone's head off, No human contact, And if you interact, Your life is on contract, Your best bet is to stay away motherfucker, It's just one of those days!! I think you better quit talkin that shit, (Punk, so come and get it), Its just one of those days, Feelin' like a freight train, First one to complain, Leaves with a blood stain, Damn right I'm a maniac, You better watch your back, Cuz I'm fuckin' up your program, And if your stuck up, You just lucked up, Next in line to, get fucked up Your best bet is to stay away motherfucker, Its just one of those days!! I feel like shit, My suggestion is to keep your distance cuz right now im dangerous, We've all felt like shit, And been treated like shit, All those motherfuckers that want to step up, I hope you know I pack a chain saw, I'll skin your ass raw, And if my day keeps goin' this way I just might break somethin' tonight...I hope you know I pack a chain saw, I'll skin your ass raw, And if my day keeps goin' this way I just might break somethin' tonight... I hope you know I pack a chain saw, I'll skin your ass raw, And if my day keeps goin' this way I just might break your fuckin' face tonight!! Give me somethin' to break, Give me somethin' to break, Just give me somethin' to break, How bout your fuckin' face, I hope you know I pack a chain saw, what!!... A chain saw, what!!... A motherfucking chain saw, what!!...So come and get it
Right Now, Korn
This is a great training song – it’s aggressive and facilitates catharsis. My sparring is never that intensive, but I’m sure this song conveys the feelings fighters have toward their opponents in the Octagon (the UFC ring).
I'm feeling mean today, Not lost, not blown away, Just irritated and quite hated, Self control breaks down, Why's everything so tame? I Like my life insane, I'm fabericating and debating, Who I'm gonna kick around, Right now, Can't find a way, To get accross the hate, When I see you, Right now, I feel it scratch inside, I want to slash and beat you, Right now I rip apart the things inside, That excite you, Right now, I can't control myself, I Fucking hate you, I'm feeling cold today, Not hurt just Fucked away, I'm devastated and frustrated, God I feel so bound So why'd I feel the need? I think it's time to bleed, I'm gonna cut myself, and watch the blood hit the ground, Right now, Can't find a way, To get accross the hate, When I see you Right now I feel it scratch inside I want to slash and beat you Right now I rip apart the things inside, That excite you Right now I can't control myself, I Fucking hate you, You open your mouth again I swear I'm gonna break it You open your mouth again, Oh God I cannot take it Shut up, shut up, shut up or I'll Fuck you up Shut up, shut up, shut up or I'll Fuck you up Shut up, shut up, shut up or I'll Fuck you up! Shut up, shut up, shut up or I'll Fuck you up! Shut up, shut up, shut up or I'll Fuck you up! Shut up, shut up, shut up or I'll Fuck you up! Right now, Can't find a way, To get accross the hate, When I see you, Right now, I feel it scratch inside, I want to slash and beat you, Right now, I rip apart the things inside, That excite you, Right now, I can't control myself, I Fucking hate you, I Fucking hate you [x4],I Fucking hate you (Shut up!) [x3],Shut up!
Smack My Bitch Up, Prodigy
This is a techno/electronic song and has little dialogue. However, it is great to pump you up and the few words are rather motivating…
Change my pitch up.
Smack my bitch up.
Breathe, Prodigy
This is a fast paced, adrenaline pumping song. It is confident and cocky, and reminds me of two distinct moments in a fight – before the takedown (as the singer is egging someone on), and putting someone in a choke hold, as the singer says, “inhale, you’re the victim…”
Breathe the pressure, Come play my game I'll test ya. Psychosomatic addict, insane. Breathe the pressure, Come play my game I'll test ya. Psycho,-somatic addict, insane. Come play my game. Inhale, inhale, you're the victim. Come play my game. Exhale, exhale, exhale. Breathe with me.
Kill You, Eminem
Inclusion of this song is relatively self-explanatory – it’s one of my favorite songs to box to. Again, it conveys the aggression toward an opponent and is motivating.
Bitch I'ma kill you! You don't wanna fuck with me, Girls neither - you ain't nuttin but a slut to me, Bitch I'ma kill you! You ain't got the balls to beef, We ain't gon' never stop beefin I don't squash the beef, You better kill me! I'ma be another rapper dead, for poppin off at the mouth with shit I shouldn'ta said, But when they kill me - I'm bringin the world with me, Bitches too! You ain't nuttin but a girl to me. I said you don't, wanna fuck with Shady (cause why?) Cause Shady, will fuckin kill you (ah-haha) I said you don't, wanna fuck with Shady (why?) Cause Shady, will fuckin kill you..
Downfall, Trust Company
This song is aggressive and very defensive. It reminds me of the negative emotions that fighting helps to get rid of, as well as losing and having to pick yourself up and try again.
Fear in me so deep it gets the best of me, In the fear I fall, here it comes face to face with me, Here I stand hold back so no one can see, I feel these wounds, step down, step down, step down….(am I) Breaking Down Can I break away Push me away, make me fall, Just to see, another side of me, Push me away, you can see, what I see, the other side of me. No one can see anything on the other side of me, I walk, I crawl, loosing everything and waiting for the downfall, No one can see everything on the other side of me, I walk, I crawl loosing everything on the downfall. Downfall, Fall.
Till I Collapse, Eminem
This song is a great pick me up when you are tired and you are trying to push yourself to the next level.
Sometimes you just feel tired, feel weak,And when you feel weak, you feel like you wanna just give up, But you gotta search within you, try to find that inner strength, and just pull that shit out of you, And get that motivation not to give up, and not be a quitter, No matter how bad you wanna just fall flat on your face, and collapse….Till the roof comes off, till the lights go out, Till my legs give out, can't shut my mouth, Till the smoke clears out - am I high? Perhaps I'ma rip this shit, till my bones collapse
Here to Stay, Korn
Korn is consistently heavy and aggressive and this song is no exception. It describes someone who has been hurt and is turning around to lash out – sort of like losing in a sparring match and coming back with a vengeance to win (or at least put the hurt on the other person for a bit).
My mind is done with this, Okay, I've got a question. "Can I throw it all away?" Take back what's mine, So I take my time, guiding the blade down the line, Each cut closer to the vein (Bleed, Bleed) This state is elevating, as the hurt turns into hating. Anticipating, all the fucked up feelings again. The hurt inside is fading, This shit's gone way too far. All this time I've been waiting, No I can not grieve anymore. For what's inside awaking. I'm not, I’m not a whore, You've taken everything and oh I can not give anymore. I'm here to stay (bring it down) [x4], Bring it down [x4], Gunna break it down [x7], GUNNA BREAK IT!
