Las Vegas Weekly

November 14, 2008 · 6 AM

Morning Call: An ultimate UFC weekend in Vegas: ‘the biggest fight in history,’ legal drama and after-parties

By Robin Leach

UFC fighter Randy Couture poses with his fans.

Photo: Armando Flores

There are so many overwhelming distractions outside the Octagon facing UFC heavyweight champion Randy “The Natural” Couture, you wonder how on Earth he’ll deal with the biggest problem of all inside the ring: his giant of an opponent, challenger Brock Lesnar. No wonder UFC officials are billing tomorrow’s battle in the MGM Grand Garden Arena as “the biggest fight in UFC history.”

Looming over the UFC 91 title clash is a disturbing court case in which a Vegas judge just days ago issued a temporary restraining order against Todd Beard, president of the Affliction clothing line. He has been barred from going near the weigh-in today and tomorrow night’s clash.

Photo: Scott Doctor

Randy Couture at Tryst.

Affliction carries Randy’s clothing line Xtreme Couture, which is run by his wife, Kim. In the court filing, Randy and Kim claimed Beard had instigated a “campaign of terror” against them after they asked for an accounting of profits.

Kim told the judge that Beard’s “threats and acts intended to intimidate her and coerce her to back off.” She added: “My fear of Mr. Beard is well-founded given his extensive criminal history. Not only has he been convicted of numerous state and federal felonies relating to fraud, he has engaged in numerous acts of violence.”

Additional security will be on hand at MGM, and fellow fighters have promised to protect the couple if necessary. Vegas DeLuxe will continue to monitor this developing story.

Photo: Armando Flores

UFC fighter Randy Couture.

In the meantime, Randy also has to contend with the following challenges:

*It’s his first fight since a 15-month hiatus while in a lawsuit against the UFC attempting to exit his contract with the league.

*His opponent will come in weighing 265 pounds against his 225 pounds!

*Randy is 45, and Brock is only 31.

Despite the startling differences, Randy, with 10 weeks of solid training behind him, intends to hold on to his reigning title and is still the favorite to win. If he does, he will face the winner of the Dec. 27 bout between former champion Frank Mir and interim champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira next spring for the undisputed title.

Brock only made his mixed martial arts debut last year after being a major wrestling star with Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Entertainment. The fully sold-out MGM arena is expected to be packed with celebrities and fighters for the most anticipated battle in UFC history.

Photo: Armando Flores

UFC fighter Randy Couture poses with his fans.

Now here’s the full rundown of all the UFC-related events happening all weekend long around the valley:

Friday, Nov. 14:

*Bad Boy Tito Ortiz has two back-to-back meet and greets today to promote his new Mickey’s Malt Liquor drink. He’s at Terrible Herbst, 6176 S. Las Vegas Blvd., from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by Buffalo Wild Wings at 7345 S. Durango from 6 to 8 p.m. He and gal pal Jenna Jameson, who is pregnant with twins, checked into the Hard Rock in advance of the visit, and he bought some King Baby jewelry in the retail store there.

*Also from 6 to 8 p.m., mixed martial arts fighters Shawn Tompkins, Chris Horodecki, Sam Stout and Jamie Browning will record the Between Rounds radio show in the new Palazzo Sportsbook Bar with hosts Ken Gonzalez and David Hiza. This promises to be revealing because Shawn is UFC fighter Randy Couture’s trainer.

*Sexy ring girl Arianny Celeste hosts the official prefight bash at Studio 54 tonight in the MGM sponsored by One More Round clothing.

Saturday, Nov. 15:

*Win or lose, UFC hero Randy Couture will host the official midnight after-fight party at Studio 54 in MGM Grand -- right after he cleans up!

*Sexy UFC All Access host Rachelle Leah, a former Octagon girl and now Playboy model, will join with UFC fighter Kenny Florian to host the after-fight party at Tao in The Venetian. Kenny, who was a contestant on the reality show Ultimate Fighter, also hosts a mixed martial arts program for ESPN. He fights Joe “Daddy” Stevenson in the Octagon earlier.

*Joe will head to LAX in the Luxor after his battle with Kenny for the post celebrations. Joe, you’ll recall, was the Ultimate Fighter Season 2 champion.

*The Mixed Martial Arts party at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile will be hosted by puncher Jorge Gurgel with muscled-man guest Rich Franklin.

Sunday, Nov. 16:

*Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. for UFC 94 and the world welterweight championship between B.J. Penn and Georges St. Pierre on Jan. 31, also at MGM Grand Garden Arena. It was back in March 2006 that these two top welterweights fought for the division’s top contender’s spot. Georges won a razor-thin decision on points but eventually went on to win the UFC welterweight title while Penn dropped to the lightweight division and won the organization’s 155-pound title. Now they’ll be back in the welterweight class one more time for the ultimate slugfest.

— From Vegas Deluxe

Link Share This