Don’t let the headline fool you.

Yes, this is about the music that pushes these UFC fighters to their limits during training. But, it’s also a well-written and unique feature from MTV.com that explores the interconnectedness of mixed martial arts and music.

It also provides in-depth looks into the training regimens of both 205-pound UFC light heavyweights, who of course will face off at UFC 66 on December 30.

Let’s get right to the playlists.

Chuck:
Pantera – “Walk”
George Thorogood – “Who Do You Love”
Travis Tritt – “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)”
DMX – “One More Road to Cross”
Staind – “It’s Been Awhile”
Hank Williams Jr. – “Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound”
Yung Joc – “It’s Goin’ Down”
Lars & the Bastards – “Skunx”
Slayer – “Angel of Death”
Suicidal Tendencies – “Controlled by Hatred”
50 Cent – “If I Can’t”
T.I. – “Bring Em Out”

Tito:
Eminem – “Mosh”
Korn – “Good God”
Ludacris – “Move B—h”
DMX – “Damien”
Rage Against the Machine – “Know Your Enemy”
Fieldy’s Dreams – “Ortiz Anthem”
Korn – “Ass Itch”
Snoop Dogg – “Murder Was the Case”
Metallica – “Enter Sandman”
Bob Marley – “Get Up, Stand Up”

Here’s another great excerpt:

There’s a good deal of overlap between Liddell and Ortiz’s iPods, not surprising given that both deal in bold, naked aggression: You’ll hear DMX and 50 Cent in both men’s respective gyms. But the deeper you dig into their playlists, the more clear the distinction between the two becomes. Liddell – a soft-spoken and seemingly single-minded fighter – rocks a catalog that plays like a roadside jukejoint dream, where George Strait sits side-by-side with Suicidal Tendencies. There’s the ballsy blues-rock of George Thorogood, the heartland rock of Staind, the unholy whirl of Slayer and the proud twang of Travis Tritt.

Liddell puts together a fresh playlist for each of his fights, and while the details may change, it’s usually raw and aggressive. “It really helps when I’m training. It gets you fired up,” he said. So as Liddell prepares to return to the Octagon, he loads his iPod with Slayer (”Angel of Death” is a favorite), Pantera (Vulgar Display of Power is in heavy rotation), Nickelback, Rancid and Lars Frederiksen & the Bastards (hang around Liddell long enough and eventually you’ll hear “Skunx”). Then there’s his love of country. “It’s fun for me to put on a few country songs while we’re training because I’m one of the few people [at the gym] who likes them,” Liddell laughed.

Chances are, no one’s going to challenge his monopoly of the sound system, no matter what he’s playing. Much like the music on his playlist, Liddell is straight-shooting, hard-hitting and rock-solid. Unlike his music, however, he is also soft-spoken, a genial man but one who would seemingly rather be fighting than doing just about anything. His soundtrack – much like his focus – is all about the ring.

Meanwhile Ortiz – the brash character whose larger-than-life image is outsized only by his accomplishments – seems drawn to stirring and boastful anthems, hip-hop and otherwise. Where Liddell shuffles, Ortiz swaggers with the aid of Ludacris, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and his longtime friends in Korn. The soundtrack of Ortiz’s youth came courtesy of the Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath his troubled parents gravitated toward, and the Cali punk that surrounded him in Huntington Beach, California. But he would eventually draw inspiration in the bold boasts and high living of hip-hop, fixating on the better life he dreamt of for himself.

To read the entire article visit MTV.com.

While you’re reading, you’ll also see a video menu in the left sidebar. There’s some good footage of Chuck and Tito to go along with the piece.