Will this year’s third annual UFC International Fight Week top all previous seven-day journeys into the mixed martial arts world? Even with the return of the UFC Fan Expo, 50 some-odd fighters mingling with attendees, seminars, the Octagon Girls and UFC 175 drawing legions of fans, how can Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White guarantee it will do better than last year when more than 60,000 attendees dropped $146 million into Las Vegas’ economy?
“Every year, the thing gets bigger, it gets better,” said White in a pre-UFC 175 and Fight Week press conference. “And this one’s going to be the biggest and baddest one we’ve ever had, from all the events we’ve got going on, the fighters we’ve got coming in, and, obviously, the fight that weekend.”
Chris Weidman and Lyoto Machida
“The fight” is the UFC 175 card-topping middleweight title bout between champion Chris Weidman and Lyoto Machida on July 5. Understandably, Weidman and Machida may have their focus elsewhere in the days leading up to their matchup, but the momentum begins Monday, July 1, with world soccer tournament viewing at Lagasse’s Stadium at The Palazzo and self-defense classes at The Center, just east of Downtown Las Vegas. Visitors have access to an Art of Fighting exhibit starting July 2 at the Gallery at 1217 in Las Vegas’ Arts District, featuring works from Octagon Girl Brittney Palmer, modern-day surrealist Brian Kirhagis, and the Fightland Photo Collection.
Things really kick in on July 3 with a 2 p.m. pool party at Aria’s Liquid and a 7 p.m. Brazilian bacchanal at Rockhouse inside The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian & The Palazzo. UFC really brings the heat July 4, starting at the relatively cool hour of 7 a.m. when the Ulti-man 5K Run takes off from downtown’s Hogs & Heifers. Soccer viewing at Lagasse’s is available before the 3 p.m. weigh-in and Art of Fighting is still open afterward, but the free 9 p.m. concert at the Fremont Street Experience’s 3rd Street Stage featuring Papa Roach, P.O.D. and Lit will provide the soundtrack to the pre-fight Independence Day fireworks going off in the sky.
UFC 162 Fan Fest
Preconcert, fighters and Octagon Girls mix with the crowds at Golden Nugget and El Cortez Hotel & Casino between 6 and 8 p.m., before getting a good night’s sleep for the weekend UFC Fan Expo at Mandalay Bay. Attendees can participate in jujitsu seminars taught by Rener Gracie of the legendary Gracie family, a grappling tournament or an amateur mixed martial arts world championship presented by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation.
Hall of Famers Stephan Bonnar, Forrest Griffin, Matt Hughes and Chuck Liddell are this year’s “UFC legends,” hosting training and development seminars at the Fan Expo for the bravest and toughest comers. Kickboxing seminars and MMA skill assessments are also available up until the Ultimate Fighter finale on July 6, pitting BJ Penn against Frankie Edgar, but by that time some fans may have just begun their own quest to be the most ultimate fighter they can.
Illustration by Mark Fredrickson
