Ask any fighter how important their walkout song is to them, and guaranteed a vast majority will tell you that it’s a staple within their entire makeup as a warrior.  So important that the recent release of the MMA based movie “Here Comes The Boom“, there is an entire scene devoted to the importance of a walkout song, with a comedic interlude of two fighters, played by Kevin James and Jason “Mayhem” Miller, walk out to the same song, along with the ensuing argument of one guy walking out to another guy’s song.

 But what about a “customized” walkout song? Not necessarily with the fighter’s name blasting through it, but one that chronicles the history of that combatant.  This is something that Mikey Rukus has been creating quite a stir with in the mixed martial arts industry as of late, so much so, that even the President of the UFC , Dana White took notice, as the two had a brief, early morning exchange on Twitter concerning Mikey doing work for the UFC. One can only speculate on what details were exchanged between White and Rukus. But as of now, not one to rest on his laurels, and in a recent move to even further secure a market in which he owns solely, Mike has begun to work with promoters of the amateur and pro circuits throughout the world, in providing Customized Walkout Songs as part of a bonus structure for fighters who put on exciting fights.

Everyone loves a great fight, and the UFC has created a business model where putting on excellent fights can result in some hefty cash bonuses for those involved.  But what about the promotions that want to put on exciting fights, and may not have the big budget as the UFC, or what about the amateur leagues where the fighters do get paid? The amateurs especially, look forward to the medals and trophies that some organizations give out. To them it makes them feel like even though they aren’t getting paid monitarily, they are still being recognized for putting it all out there.  This is where Mikey Rukus is stepping in, working with promotions, who would purchase songs in advance and during the announcement of best fight, submission or KO, that fighter will receive their very own customized walkout song, to be debuted at their next fight.  Definitely a different approach, but an extremely interesting idea, one that is being received well by those who have been asked about it.  The first organization up to the task is VA based amateur organization, Spartan Promotions, headed by James Jones and Tracy Barksdale.  Mikey and Spartan are no strangers, as he has performed at a number of their live events, and has created the organization’s Theme Song (http://sclk.co/s72igt). But as Barksdale explains, showing her fighters how much she appreciates their hard work is the motivator, as she too looks for innovative ways to compensate them for a job well done.  “Fighters come out and put it on the line for Promoters to make money with no compensation.  I believe it is the Promoters duty to them to give back in any fashion available allowed by the guidelines of the state.”

Spartan’s next event, Battle Of The Spartans IV, will take place December 1st at the VA Sports Complex in Ruther Glen, VA. That event will see the fighter with the most impressive finish walk away with a chance to have their story chronicled in the perfect walkout song.  “There is not a fighter on this planet, who doesn’t have a story” Mike explains in regards to creating a customized walkouts, “There may be some that say they fight just for the sake of fighting, but every fighter has been on a journey, they have a story to tell. My job is to be the scribe that records their history for them. My job is to summon their emotions the moment they walk through the curtain, and I remind them what they’ve been through and why they do what they do.  Some made a promise to their ailing parents on their death bed, some fought in Iraq and realized while on the battlefield that it was what they wanted to do. Some have died on the operating table during a horrific accident and recall dreaming about the fight while they were actually flatlining! These are actual stories that i’ve been told! I have talked to thousands of fighters over the last couple of years and this is what they are asking for.  This is a real thing, their stories can resonate with literally millions, and as I help them find the balance between defining their brand, and stirring them up inside when they hear their own story, it takes them to another place of adrenaline, to another zone, and they fight like they’ve never fought before.”

Mikey Rukus has gained a serious amount of momentum in the 2012 calander year, as he has created walkout songs for several fighters on the UFC and Bellator stage, and having his music featured at numerous events around the globe. When you take a look at the grand scheme of exactly what he is offering in the industry, its apparent that he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. From creating walkout songs for UFC fighters, to creating a leasing system with tiered levels of customization for fighters all over the world to meet their personal budgets, to creating theme songs for organizations such as Invicta FC, Legacy Fighting Championships, the surging Cage Fury Fighting Championship and many others.  Add to that, Rukus has production packages available for for organizations that have TV deals, and even has a system for organizations who look to build their own sound library, by securing 6-12 month contracts where he provides a set amount of songs every month for the duration of the agreement.

To access Mikey Rukus music, his client roster as well as listen to the hundreds of theme songs, please visit www.soundclick.com/MikeyRukus or follow Mikey on Twitter @MikeyRukus.