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 response to a report from Alex Behunin, the UFC is focusing on a Combat Night time occasion in Des Moines on Might 3, 2025.
As soon as upon a time, Iowa was thought of one of many central hubs for combined martial arts. Particularly, Bettendorf, Iowa, town I at the moment name residence. Three minutes away from the place I’m penning this very article is the positioning of the previous Miletich Combating Programs health club. There, a few of the greatest 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 embrace present BKFC heavyweight champion ‘Massive’ Ben Rothwell, Drew McFedries, Jeremy Horn, and Spencer Fisher.
To this present day, MFS continues to be considered one of the crucial 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 had been held on the 5 Seasons Occasions Middle in Cedar Rapids. Hopefully, that two-and-a-half decade-long drought will come to an finish this Might.
Simply to present you an thought of how lengthy it’s been for the reason that UFC has stepped foot within the state, right here is the total primary card for the final time the promotion ran in Iowa.
- Kevin Randleman def. Pedro Rizzo through unanimous determination to retain the UFC heavyweight championship
- Tyrone Roberts def. David Dodd through unanimous determination
- Pat Miletich def. John Alessio through submission (armbar) at 1:43 of Spherical 2 to retain the UFC welterweight championship
- Amaury Bitetti def. Alex Andrade through DQ (kicking with footwear) at 0:43 of Spherical 2
- Matt Hughes def. Marcelo Aguiar through TKO (physician’s stoppage) at 4:34 of Spherical 1
- Jens Pulver def. Joao Roque through unanimous determination
