The Insider: International Fight Week in Las Vegas

Today marks the beginning of the first International Fight Week in Las Vegas!  Running through July 7 and in partnership with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the inaugural celebration of the UFC will feature the largest gathering of fighters and unprecedented access to UFC stars, a massive UFC Fan Expo being held at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, open workouts with UFC 148 fighters, pool parties, pub crawls, concerts and more with the celebration culminating at UFC 148: Silva vs Sonnen II.  For any fan of Mixed Martial Arts, this is surely a must attend!

A schedule of events are as follows:

Tuesday, July 3

• UFC 148 Press Conference at Lagasse’s Stadium at The Palazzo Las Vegas.

Wednesday, July 4

• UFC Octagon Nation Tour stops at the Fremont Street Experience and gives fans the chance to meet Mixed Martial Arts athletes, play UFC video games, check out cool memorabilia and more.  This event runs through July 7 and is free to all.
• UFC Kickoff Party at Fremont Street Experience.  Head downtown for a rocking International Fight Week party with a concert by 3 Doors Down.  Show time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

Thursday, July 5

• Talk about a treat, fans are invited to UFC Open Workouts from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at XS Nightclub at Encore Las Vegas.  Get a firsthand look at the superstars of Mixed Martial Arts.
• Head to the pool at Palms Casino Resort Las Vegas where the UFC Octagon Girls will be making an appearance from 1-6 p.m.
• UFC Downtown Pub Crawl takes shape in Downtown Las Vegas where fans over the age of 21 can join UFC stars on a pub crawl visiting the Golden Gate, El Cortez, Golden Nugget Las Vegas and The D. The pub crawl is 6-8 p.m.

Friday, July 6

• The massive two-day UFC Fan Expo takes place at Mandalay Bay Events Center at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Las Vegas with one-day passes starting at $40 and two-day passes starting at $60.  For ticket information, click here.
• Don’t miss the chance to catch an up close view of Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen as the UFC 148 Weight-In takes place at 4 p.m. from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Las Vegas.
• Tuff N Uff – Festibrawl takes center stage at the South Point Hotel Casino & Spa as Mixed Martial Arts will take center stage.  Tickets start at $25 with the fights getting underway at 7:30 p.m.
• UFC – Fan Beach Party takes place at Mandalay Beach at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas from 8 p.m. until midnight.  Live music and drink specials will be available all night.

Saturday, July 7

• It’s time!  UFC 148 from the Grand Garden Arena at MGM Grand Hotel and Casino Las Vegas where Anderson Silva looks to retain his championship belt as he squares off against Chael Sonnen.  Bantamweight fan favorite Urijah Faber takes on Renan Barao for the interim title while Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin trade blows on what is a stacked UFC card.  It should be a stellar evening of Mixed Martial Arts on display.  Tickets start at $138.45; click here for more info.
• When the fights are over, head to Tryst Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas for a celebratory evening at one of Las Vegas’ hottest nightclubs.