UFC 35
| Company type | Pay-per-view event |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mixed martial arts |
| Founded | January 11, 2002 |
| Headquarters | Uncasville, Connecticut , United States |
| Products | Mixed martial arts event |
UFC 35: Throwdown was a mixed martial arts spectacle organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship at the Mohegan Sun Arena located in Uncasville, Connecticut on January 11, 2002. The event was broadcast live via pay-per-view across the United States and subsequently distributed on home video formats.
History
This event showcased two championship contests: Jens Pulver defended his Lightweight Championship against B.J. Penn, while Murilo Bustamante challenged Dave Menne for the Middleweight Championship. Notably, this was the inaugural UFC event to feature a Lightweight title fight as its main event.
A significant aspect of UFC 35 was the outbreak of a flu-like illness that affected numerous fighters, coaches, and production crew members. The source was traced to a hotel dining establishment known as "The Octagon." Reported symptoms among those affected included vomiting, dehydration, diarrhea, and hallucinations. Despite these challenges, the event continued without postponement. During his bout with Renato "Babalu" Sobral, Kevin Randleman suffered from intense symptoms. Dave Menne managed his ailment by taking Pepto Bismol up until his entrance to the cage, while Eugene Jackson fought and secured victory despite battling a fever.
Initially, Shonie Carter was set to face Gil Castillo but withdrew due to contractual disagreements; Chris Brennan stepped in as his replacement.
After UFC 35, Jens Pulver exited the organization amid contract negotiation issues.
Encyclopedia awards
The October 2011 publication UFC Encyclopedia honored these competitors:
- Fight of the Night: Jens Pulver vs. B.J. Penn
- Knockout of the Night: Murilo Bustamante
- Submission of the Night: Eugene Jackson