Mile High magic

DENVER -- It's been about 48 hours since I've landed in Denver, and thus far, I've been blown away by this beautiful city, which will forever be known as the birthplace of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

On Nov. 12, 1993, the McNichols Sports Arena held the very first event which introduced the world to Royce Gracie and the beautiful art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Much to my dismay, my goal of experiencing a sense of nostalgia was shattered the moment I checked into my hotel.

It was then, as I logged onto the internet to search for directions to the hallowed grounds that I read the old news that the arena no longer exists. It was demolished in 1999.

To many, this item on my bucket list might seem odd but to someone who has watched the sport from Day 1 (and who has never missed an event) I have long dreamed of the day I could walk on the same grounds, climb the same stairs, be on the same soil as those who founded the sport that I hold so dear to my heart. After being consoled by some peers who live in the Denver area, the time had come to move on.

I am told the arena is now a parking lot but that is of little consequence. Someway, somehow, I will make my way there, if not to simply stand within the approximate area of where Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Pat Smith, Gerard Gordeau and others laid the foundation for the likes of Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva and Jon Jones.

Last night, after a long day of interviews, I had the chance to speak with some locals, who were some of the friendliest folk I have ever had the pleasure of meeting (while playfully reminding me about my Canadian accent.) You see, I am blessed with a career that takes me to a variety of cities across North America, where I have encountered my fair share of personalities. Some with flair, some with an unfortunate case of rudeness, but overall, most with a sense of pride for the city they live in. But none have compared to the hospitality, kindness and fun-loving spirit as those in the Mile High City.

These are fans of mixed martial arts who are passionate, many of whom have similarly followed the evolution of the sport, the fighters and the business that makes the sport what it is today. From the raw, no-holds-barred experiment in 1993, to the polished, well-oiled machine of 2011, MMA is strongly rooted in Denver, and today, those at the sport's forefront willingly pay their respect to this city.

From UFC president Dana White, to Jones and Quinton Jackson, they know where they are and understand the significance of Denver. For UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes, the mere mention of where we were brought a smile to his face. To his opponent Josh Koscheck, as well as heavyweights Travis Browne and Rob Broughton, a sense of wonderment could be seen in their eyes when our interview and conversation switched to the city where it all started.

Come Saturday night, I wonder if I will feel the same emotions I felt just a few years ago, in a more-personal, yet similar situation, when I was on vacation in Jamaica.

For those who know me outside of the sports scene, they can attest to my appreciation of the late Bob Marley so it was mandatory that I made the trek from where I was staying to Nine Mile to visit the home and resting place of the reggae legend.

It was a wonderful experience to say the least -- uplifting to be honest.

A sense of nostalgia knowing I was walking on the same grounds of greatness. I was told this was where history was made, as Marley often wrote songs on the very floors, grass, rocks and paths we walked on.

From musical history, I cannot help but feel that I am on the precipice of some sporting history.

Denver has written its fair share of chapters in the book that is MMA, and we are but a few days away from another one being drafted. For yours truly, I cannot wait to be present and to witness how the story will unfold.

Will we see the next stage in the Jon Jones era or will Rampage Jackson silence all of his critics and regain the light-heavyweight title?

Will Josh (Matt Hughes 2.0) Koscheck be the victor in the co-main event, or will his legendary opponent, in a strange twist of irony, be the one labelled as Matt Hughes 2.0?

When I enter the Pepsi Center it will be akin to the first time I set foot inside the Mandalay Bay Events Center to officially cover my first ever live event UFC 79. I also believe I will experience a sense of deja vu that will take me back to the very first UFC event in my hometown of Toronto, where over 55,000 fans cheered on our modern-day warriors.

For yours truly, UFC 135 in Denver will be another chance to adhere to the old adage: Carpe Diem.