Every Derrick Lewis Walkout Track Ranked: Video Clues and Octagon Energy

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Not all walkouts hit with equal velocity. Over his decade-plus tenure in the UFC, Lewis has rotated through a core stable of southern classics, occasionally throwing in a curveball that caught diehard fight fans off guard. Evaluating the energy, context, and fight outcomes produces a clear hierarchy of his best entrance themes.

1. "Tops Drop" by Fat Pat

This is the undisputed crown jewel of Lewis's career. Released posthumously on the 1998 album Ghetto Dreams after Patrick Hawkins was tragically murdered, the song is Houston's unofficial national anthem. When the horn fanfare kicks in, followed by Fat Pat's smooth cadence, the entire building shifts into party mode. Lewis paired this song with his most famous career moment at UFC 229, cementing it as his permanent calling card.

2. "Southside" by Lil Keke

Few records define Texas rap like Lil Keke’s breakout 1997 anthem. The track gave birth to the signature "Southside" arm dance, a move Lewis has playfully flashed during fight week festivities. When Lewis used this track against Curtis Blaydes in February 2021, the relaxed bounce of the song perfectly foreshadowed the patience he showed before landing his thunderous second-round uppercut knockout.

3. "Draped Up" by Bun B

Produced by Salih Williams, this 2005 track hits like an anvil. The booming drum programming and Bun B’s deep baritone match Lewis's physical presence better than almost any other song on his playlist. When Lewis brought this out at UFC 265 in Houston against Ciryl Gane, the Toyota Center crowd erupted with an ear-splitting roar, even if the interim title bout ultimately ended in disappointment for the hometown fighter.

4. "Murder" by UGK

A darker, far more aggressive choice from the legendary duo of Bun B and Pimp C. Driven by frantic drums and an iconic bassline, "Murder" strips away the laid-back cruising vibe in favor of pure hostility. Lewis has reserved this cut for high-stakes matchups where he wanted to send an unmistakable message to his opponent before the cage door closed.

5. "Mr. Bigg - Trial Time"

A rare departure from purely Texas-bred hip-hop, this southern underground classic from Alabama rapper Mr. Bigg tells the story of an unapologetic criminal facing a judge. Lewis broke this out for his UFC Fight Night clash with Rodrigo Nascimento in St. Louis in May 2024. The grim humor and relentless defiance in the lyrics resonated immediately with Lewis's personal journey, creating one of his most talked-about modern walks.