I had a chance back in 1999, almost 10 years ago attend UFC 19 in Biloxi, Mississippi. As of right now it was my only UFC event I attended. I had a blast. I was only 19 years old; I had one amateur fight and a win under my belt few months prior to that.
The event it took place in a Casino on an Indian Reservation. This was still back in the day when UFC was banned in pretty much every state. I was 19 so they didn't allow me into the casino property. So the guys who I came with and train and fight with had to sneak me around through the back where the fighters come in. This wouldn’t happen now with security but back then anyone could easily sneak in. Being able to be in the back we took advantage of meeting as many fighters as we could and snapping pictures. We were also lucky enough to be sitting second row to the cage, which now days costs thousands of dollars.
Best part I got to meet and take pictures of some of the legends in the sport. Bas Rutten, Chuck Liddell, Kevin Rendelman, Ken Shamrock, John McCarthy, Mark Coleman, Pete Williams. My trainer Andy Glenn used to train with the Lion’s Den fighters. After the event we got to hang out with the infamous Lion’s Den crew. For a 19 year old kid, it made ahuge impression on me. It is definitely one of the reasons I still train, fight and into this sport.
One thing I wish I had done is to take a picture with Evan Tanner and Tito Ortiz, which I missed out on the opportunity.
See All the Pics from UFC 19 |
