Nov. 12, 1993, the day it all began for Ultimate Fighting Championship. The now-multibillion dollar mixed-martial arts organization made its humble world debut with an eight-man tournament at UFC 1 at Denver’s McNichols Sports Arena.
In July, the company announced a return to the Mile High City with a Fight Night card Nov. 10 — almost exactly 25 years from its first show. Some local fighters have already started the celebration early for Colorado.
- Rose Namajunas, who trains at 303 Training Center in Westminster, is the reigning UFC women’s strawweight champion after defeating Joanna Jedrzejczyk for a second straight time at UFC 223 in April.
- Adding to the Centennial state’s accolades, former Coronado High School wrestling star Henry Cejudo posted a huge upset by defeating Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title on Saturday at UFC 227. Cejudo, 31, was a two-time Colorado state champion before becoming an Olympic gold medalist in 2008.
- On the same card, T.J. Dillashaw, who fights out of Denver, retained his bantamweight title after a first-round technical knockout of former Team Alpha Male teammate Cody Garbrandt.
And there could be a super-fight in the works for the latter two. After his win, , according to the Los Angeles Times: “I’m already an Olympic champion, I’m a UFC champ, and I’m asking to be a triple champ. Forget about the champ-champ, allow me to go to 135 pounds and face T.J. Dillashaw. If he wants to come down, OK, but I’d rather go up.”
— , The Denver Post
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What’s on Tap?
- MLB: Pirates at Rockies, 6:40 p.m., ATTRM | Pitching matchup |
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Scoreboard
MLB: Rockies 2, Pirates 0
Full story |
Must-Read
Broncos Journal: About Bradley Roby, the tight ends and backup quarterback
Here are 11 things for the first 11 days of Broncos’ training camp. Read more…
Tom Heckert, former Broncos personnel executive, dies at 51
Heckert worked for the Broncos from 2013-17 before stepping away to focus on battling amyloidosis, a rare incurable disease described as the buildup of proteins in the heart, kidneys, liver and other organs. Read more…
Rivalry games against Colorado State, Nebraska loom large for Colorado Buffaloes football
Colorado State green and gold and Nebraska red and white represent repugnance for the Colorado Buffaloes before they open Pac-12 Conference play Sept. 28 against UCLA. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Pondering the effect Courtland Sutton’s possible emergence would have on Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.
+ Colorado reeled in another in-state football recruit Monday: Cherry Creek’s Alec Pell.
+ Speaking of the Buffs, Transfer Tony Brown is ready to get on the field this fall.
+ One more Buffs byte: A redshirt freshman may be snapping the ball to Steven Montez this season.
+ The Nuggets locked down their final two-way contract, agreeing to terms with summer league stud DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell.
+ LeBron and the Lakers are game No. 1 on the Nuggets’ preseason schedule, which was announced Monday.
+ Chad Bettis returns to the Rockies starting rotation Tuesday.
+ It was trial by fire for defensive linemen Ellison Hubbard and Linvingston Paogofie last year. Now the Colorado State sophomores are ready to take the next step.
+ Broncos rival Kansas City is hoping it struck gold with another speedy rookie in the late rounds of the NFL draft.
+ One of the biggest ripple effects of the 2016 salary cap spike in the NBA? The ridiculously dominant Golden State Warriors.
+ NASCAR’s chairman Brian France had himself one rough weekend.
+ Urban Meyer’s supporters came out in full force Monday.
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
By The Numbers
No. 5
The rank among active centers in which Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon received by NHL Network’s annual top-20 countdown. Read more…
Parting Shot
How many times do you get to rub elbows with NFL players, alumni and cheerleaders, anyway? (Sure, itap not cheap, but itap for charity, and you get to eat some amazing food, too.)
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me .
