Opportunity of a lifetime

Chinle wrestler takes part in UFC event

FRUITLAND, N.M.

When opportunity knocked in the middle of the Navajo reservation early this year, Isiah Towne answered.

Most 17-year-old high school students would have taken one look at the invitation Towne received to compete in the Ultimate Wrestling Championships and tossed it in the nearby trash can, but not Towne.

“Not all the time does someone gets offered to wrestle in the UFC,” he said. “I thought I’d do it because it seemed fun. I love wrestling; it was just a great opportunity for me to take.”

Towne, originally from Valley Store, Arizona, competed in the championships that were held at the Sands Expo & Convention Center during the 5th annual UFC International Fight week in Las Vegas, Nevada, over the weekend.

The Chinle High School incoming senior helped a team he joined from New Jersey to a second place finish in the team standings. Individually, he placed third in his weight class at 195 pounds.

Towne said it was more than what he had asked for.

He received a silver medal with the team but was only recognized for his individual finish, whereas only winners received awards.

“I felt pretty good about it because I guess when I went out there people didn’t think I could be that great until my first match. My mindset…was just to go out there and win. I felt really confident preforming,” he said. “It’s really great going out there and winning. It felt really good because not everyone can say they got a medal from UFC.”

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