Can Denver’s altitude impact UFC fight outcomes?

Height plays a vital role in any sport with high physical demands at high levels. In the case of a discipline like MMA, where muscular oxygenation is essential to have greater mobility and deliver blows with greater power, cerebral oxygenation to recover as soon as possible from them becomes an essential and sometimes unpredictable factor.

More than three decades ago, the city of Denver hosted the first two events in the history of the UFC, which generated an enormous bond between the city and the promoter. Since then, a total of six events have taken place in Denver, plus the one that took place this Saturday, with Rose Namajunas and Tracy Cortez headlining the evening.

“Thug Rose” faced Tracy Cortez in the flyweight category (up to 57 kg) and secured a unanimous decision victory from the judges after five rounds (49-46, 49-46, 48-47). Namajunas (13-6) demonstrated in front of the home audience in Colorado a higher level of striking and wrestling techniques than her rival, but also much better conditioning, and achieved her second victory in a row.

Why is Denver more demanding on athletes?

The largest city in Colorado is situated 1,600 meters above sea level, which is a substantial altitude to consider when creating a game plan to improve resistance to high altitudes. However, many athletes are susceptible to such conditions, and it’s challenging to prevent the physical impact of this factor entirely.

The historic KO in Denver

To recall the last UFC event held in Denver, we must return to 2018. It was the Fight Night where Yair Rodríguez faced ‘The Korean Zombie’ in the main event. This fight made history in the company due to a unique gesture.

After a night that left several surprises in the previous fights, the Mexican and the Korean met in the main fight. ‘The Korean Zombie’ put on an outstanding performance and was winning his fight, at that moment. However, seconds from the end of the fifth round, Yair ‘called his rival to war’ in a final duel of pure power.

‘El Pantera,’ confident that he had an ace up his sleeve, incited his Korean rival to cross blows to close the fight, and in that brutal final exchange, Rodríguez left what he is, possibly the best finish achieved with an elbow. In an almost dance movement, he dodged a blow while delivering an upward elbow, sending his rival to sleep and showing himself to the world with the best cover letter possible.