9 (Tie). Genki Sudo vs. Leigh Remedios | UFC 38 (July 13, 2002)
To me, Sudo is the king of this category, appearing four times on my ballot, including the top spot. Sudo's walkouts were in a class of their own. They featured multiple dancers, elaborate costumes and long, complex choreography. The best were works of art. It's no surprise that after Sudo retired from MMA at just 28 years old, he had a successful career as a singer, dancer, and entertainer. While it wasn't nearly the spectacle his later entrances would be—one of which we will see later on this list—Sudo’s walkout at UFC 38 was the first time that the North American MMA world witnessed his creativity. Sudo first appears in a straw hat and fancy kimono, looking like a wandering samurai in feudal Japan. His cornermen flank him with their own faces visible, adorned with headbands featuring kanji. Suddenly, Sudo flings off his hat, revealing a Tengu mask underneath. Sudo then does a little dance as he walks to the ring, clearly inspired by the style of popping. At one point, he flings a few sakura (cherry blossom) petals at the crowd. It's crazy to think that this was a very simple, tame walk-out by his standards, but it was a memorable debut all the same.
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