It was a reunion 30 years in the making.
The UFC celebrates its 30th anniversary Nov. 12 and the promotion recently organized a get-together for the six remaining living tournament participants.
The six pioneers met over dinner at an undisclosed location and shared drinks, food, laughs, and memories. The gathering was recorded and released in a video segment published Saturday entitled “Fighter of the Roundtable.”
On hand were Gerard Gordeau and Taylor Wily (known as Teila Tuli during his fighting days), the two fighters from the first-ever UFC bout. UFC Hall of Famers Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie were also on hand, as were Art Jimmerson and Zane Frazier.
UFC 1 took place Nov. 12, 1993 at McNichols Sports Arena. The tournament-style competition was won by Gracie, who defeated Jimmerson, Shamrock, and Gordeau all the in the same night.
Absent from the meal were the late Kevin Rosier and Patrick Smith, who died in 2015 and 2019 respectively. An in memoriam graphic dedicated to the two deceased pioneers ran prior to the video’s closing credits.
Check out the full 42-minute production of the UFC 1 reunion dinner in the video above.
