Las Vegas Weekly

July 9, 2008 · 12 PM

Star-studded turnout for UFC 86 as “Rampage” Jackson falls to Forest Griffin

By Robin Leach

Hit me -- with a card -- Chuck Liddell.

Photo: Hard Rock Hotel

It was an all-star ringside gathering at the octagon as the Ultimate Fighter reality show became real life at UFC 86 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. On hand to watch the carnage as Quinton “Rampage” Jackson fell by unanimous decision to Forest Griffin were everybody from actress Jamie Pressly to Mr. Olympia, Jay Cutler! The celebrity guests included Mindfreak magician Criss Angel, Red Hot Chili Pepper Anthony Kiedis, lovely Mandy Moore, Laura Prepon, Rebecca Field, comedians David Spade and Robert Kelly, rockers Joel Madden of Good Charlotte and Pete Wentz (without his pregnant wife, Ashlee Simpson), Jim Norton, Wilmer Valderrama, and San Diego Chargers Shaun Phillips and Steven Cooper.

Paris Hilton and love-linked beau Benji Madden and fighter Mike Tyson hopped over from the Planet Hollywood boxing matches to also catch the final outrage in the octagon. Ironically, it was Griffin who went to the floor first when “Rampage” landed a huge first-round punch. But then Griffin rallied in the second round when the champ hit the deck – and then went on to dominate the remaining three rounds. However, make no mistake, it was a very tight fight from the judge’s scorecards and the winner wound up getting the medic’s stitches after the slugfest.

Meantime, UFC hero Chuck Liddell, who wasn’t in the ring this go-’round surprised fans when he turned up at the new Hell’s Belles gaming pit at the Hard Rock Hotel and dealt an hour’s worth of blackjack! For a moment it looked as if comedian Andy Dick would sit down at Chuck’s table when he saw all the commotion. Chuck hosted a UFC after-fight party at Studio 54 in MGM Grand, where Pressly’s husband, DJ Eric Cubeechee, was the guest turntable twister.

UFC head honcho Dana White hosted the official UFC after-fight bash at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay -- and had No Way Out rocker Pete Wentz sit in as guest DJ for the night!

Share This