November 12 is the most important day in UFC history, as numerous significant events have occurred on this date. From the UFC’s first event to their debut in New York City, November 12 will always be an influential day in UFC history.
For more details on all five UFC events that have occurred on November 12, we have you covered below.
1993 | UFC 1: The Beginning
On November 12, 1993, the UFC hosted its first event titled “UFC 1: The Beginning”. The rules at the first UFC event were significantly different from those of today. At UFC 1, you could only win by knockout, submission, or corner stoppage, and each fight was contested in unlimited five-minute rounds. Additionally, there was no set uniform, and gloves were not required.
Royce Gracie defeated Gerard Gordeau via submission in the Main Event of UFC 1. UFC 1 featured a tournament with all eight matchups taking place on the same night. Gracie beat Art Jimmerson, Ken Shamrock before facing Gordeau in the final fight.
2011 | UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. dos Santos
This was the first UFC event on Fox, with Junior dos Santos beating Cain Velasquez for the UFC Heavyweight Championship in the Main Event. Velasquez vs. dos Santos was the one and only fight that aired on Fox for this card. Previously, the UFC had been broadcasting its events on Spike, marking the first UFC event to air on terrestrial television in the United States.
2016 | UFC 205: Alvarez vs. McGregor
This event is memorable for multiple reasons. This was the first UFC event held in New York City and at Madison Square Garden. Additionally, this marked the first UFC event held in the state of New York since UFC 7 took place in Buffalo in 1995. The previous MMA ban in NY was in effect since 1997.
Eddie Alvarez defended his UFC Lightweight Championship in the Main Event of this card against Conor McGregor, who was the current Featherweight Champion at the time. McGregor knocked out Alvarez in the second round to become the first simultaneous UFC two-division Champion.
2022 | UFC 281: Adesanya vs. Pereira
The final UFC event, which occurred on November 12, was UFC 281, featuring a Middleweight title fight between Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira. This fight renewed an old rivalry between Adesanya and Pereira, who had previously fought each other twice in Kickboxing.
Pereira knocked out Adesanya in the fifth round to become UFC Middleweight Champion at UFC 281. It only took Pereira three wins in the UFC and seven total MMA fights to earn this title opportunity.
