UFC Gym Grand Opening

The UFC officially opened their first gym yesterday in concord, California with a big grand opening. Some of the guests attending the event were Dana White, Chuck Liddell, Mark Mastrov, Jim Rowley and that was just the press conference. White spoke to media, friends and family about the UFC, the gym, what it’s about and where it’s going. If you read “My take on the UFC Gym” you’ll know exactly what the UFC Gym is all about. Regarding the future White broke news of where the next UFC Gym is going to be and that is Rosemead, CA which would have been easier on all if he just said LA. Rosemead is located 11 miles east of Los Angeles and will be home to a 40,000 sq. foot UFC Gym later the year with enrollment starting in February. Further plans included a BJ Penn branded UFC Gym in Hilo and a Georges St-Pierre branded UFC Gym in Montreal and possible even a Chuck Liddell UFC Gym too.

The Proof, LOL

The press conference ended and everyone scattered in there own directions, I caught up with Dana White and introduce myself. By this time the event was going full speed in the gym area where the fans were packed in from wall to wall. Inside the octagon a table was set up for an autograph session with Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch that had a line literally out the door. I moved up to the second floor where it was much less crowded and entered the VIP area for the meet and greet. Inside people like Dana White, Brandon Vera, Josh Koscheck, Jon Fitch, Chuck Liddell, Mayhem Miller, Roger Craig and Chris Mullen were walking around at different times throughout the day. I sat down with Vera to ask him a few questions about his upcoming fight with Jon Jones and the 205 division, note the rude interruption in the middle of the interview.

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As I mad my way back downstairs the place was still jam packed going out the door. Brandon Vera and his wife were now doing a training demonstration inside the octagon. Outside the gym there had to be over 500 people lined up waiting to get inside. Back inside another autograph session was about to start with Mike Swick upstairs, before he headed up he took a minute to talk with me about Paulo Thiago and stepping in for his injured teammate.

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As the day winded down for me I went back up to the VIP lounge again for one last walk around. I meet up with Jon Fitch and Jason “Mayhem” Miller while I was in there. Did an interview with Fitch but talked to Miller off the record and all I can say is he’s not a fan of Jake Shields.