Lastly, the UFC is coming again to Iowa!
As a lifelong native of the Hawkeye State, it’s my nice pleasure to announce that the Final Combating Championship is eyeing a return to Iowa for the primary time in 25 years. In keeping with a report from Alex Behunin, the UFC is concentrating on a Struggle Evening occasion in Des Moines on Could 3, 2025.
As soon as upon a time, Iowa was thought-about one of many central hubs for combined martial arts. Particularly, Bettendorf, Iowa, town I at the moment name house. Three minutes away from the place I’m scripting this very article is the positioning of the outdated Miletich Combating Methods health club. There, among the largest names in MMA historical past reduce their enamel, together with former UFC champions Matt Hughes, Jens Pulver, Tim Sylvia, ‘Ruthless’ Robbie Lawler, and naturally, proprietor Pat Miletich.
Different names who educated on the legendary health club embody present BKFC heavyweight champion ‘Huge’ Ben Rothwell, Drew McFedries, Jeremy Horn, and Spencer Fisher.
To today, MFS remains to be thought to be one of the profitable MMA camps of all time.
UFC 26 was the promotion’s final occasion in Iowa
Regardless of that, the UFC solely held two occasions within the state, UFC 21 on July 16, 1999, and UFC 26 on June 9, 2000, each of which have been held on the 5 Seasons Occasions Heart in Cedar Rapids. Hopefully, that two-and-a-half decade-long drought will come to an finish this Could.
Simply to present you an concept of how lengthy it’s been because the UFC has stepped foot within the state, right here is the complete important card for the final time the promotion ran in Iowa.
- Kevin Randleman def. Pedro Rizzo by way of unanimous choice to retain the UFC heavyweight championship
- Tyrone Roberts def. David Dodd by way of unanimous choice
- Pat Miletich def. John Alessio by way of submission (armbar) at 1:43 of Spherical 2 to retain the UFC welterweight championship
- Amaury Bitetti def. Alex Andrade by way of DQ (kicking with sneakers) at 0:43 of Spherical 2
- Matt Hughes def. Marcelo Aguiar by way of TKO (physician’s stoppage) at 4:34 of Spherical 1
- Jens Pulver def. Joao Roque by way of unanimous choice
