Las Vegas Weekly

April 8, 2010 · 2:17 PM

Strip Scribbles: Chuck Liddell to be first UFC star at Madame Tussauds

By Robin Leach

Chuck Liddell at XS in the Encore.

Photo: Danny Mahoney/XS

Star athlete and UFC legend Chuck Liddell will be immortalized in wax next month at Madame Tussauds at The Venetian. Chuck, 40, will be the first MMA star to be inducted into the collection and will be officially unveiled May 28 while thousands of fans gather at the UFC Fan Expo from May 28-29 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Chuck’s wax figure will then be moved to Madame Tussauds and placed on display inside a UFC Octagon, along with Chuck’s trunks and UFC championship belt.

Since taking up martial arts at age 12, Chuck transformed himself into a superstar athlete famous for his seven-fight win streak, including battles against Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz. Chuck has been a part of UFC for more than a decade and his star power has helped make it the world’s fastest-growing sports organization. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2009 and competed on Season 9 of Dancing With the Stars.

*New direct flights to Las Vegas on Virgin Atlantic will start from Manchester, England, as of April 3, 2011, on a twice-weekly basis Thursdays and Sundays using a Boeing 747-400. It will become Virgin Atlantic’s third route from Manchester, and the new service would then give Virgin Atlantic nine daily flights between Sin City and London Gatwick and the North of England airport.

Incidentally, new British pop sensation Louise Richmond, who is being tagged a Lady Gaga rival, arrived here yesterday for a short visit as her new YouTube video “Robot Lover” went viral around the world.

*Mindfreak magician Criss Angel introduced his friend world heavyweight champion wrestler Jack Swagger and his girlfriend to the audience during his Cirque du Soleil show Believe at the Luxor. To Criss’ surprise, Jack revealed that they’d gotten married earlier in the day in a Las Vegas wedding chapel but didn’t want to miss his pal’s magic show.

*Our condolences to master magician Lance Burton and his family on the death of Lance’s mother Hilma, who passed away peacefully in her sleep in Columbia, Ky., yesterday at age 73. Lance’s April 13 show is canceled so he can be in Kentucky for the private funeral services. He resumes his performances at the Monte Carlo on April 14.

*Burlesque queen Dita Von Teese watched Donn Arden’s spectacular Jubilee! at Bally’s on her night off guest starring for a week at Crazy Horse Paris in MGM Grand. Before watching the late show, Dita posed with showgirl Sarah Sutter. She also signed copies of her two burlesque books while in town and said that the reaction to her performances were fantastic, so she plans to return.

*Dancing With the Stars judge Bruno Tonioli has stripped off all his clothes for a British cancer research charity. The flamboyant wild man, also of Britain’s Strictly Come Dancing, joined other British celebs to bare all. The campaign for Cancer Research U.K. began this week and runs until April 25. It has been held every other year since 2004 and in 2008 raised $5 million.

Bruno said: “I really enjoyed taking part in this shoot and was glad to Give Up Clothes for Good to help Cancer Research U.K. beat childhood cancer.” We’ll have the preview of Week 4 of DWTS’ Season 10 on Monday.

*Randy Houser, who has been nominated for an Academy of Country Music Award for Best Video for his hit single “Boots On,” performs at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill at Harrah’s on April 17. Randy’s video of a talented toddler lip synching to “Boots On” is a YouTube hit, and Randy promises to sing it here while onstage at Toby’s bar.

TONIGHT’S TIPS

Amazing European dance robot Kryoman is back to create his own sensation at Haze in MGM CityCenter’s Aria when Shiny Toy Guns performs there. … Don’t forget that DJ Tiesto spins as Liquid Pool Lounge opens with a celebrity bash also at Aria. … UNLVino Sip for Scholarship kicks off with Bubble-licious at Caesars Palace’s Garden of the Gods. … And it’s Boogie Knights at The M Resort, Boot Camp at Tao in The Venetian and the 3rd Annual Spring Luau at Blush in the Wynn.

TOMORROW’S TEASES

Our one-on-one interview with Hugh Hefner from his Playboy Mansion as he gets ready to celebrate his 84th birthday this weekend at the Palms. Want to know what the media mogul, who has more than everything, would put on his bucket list? We’ve got the surprising answers and why Crystal Harris is now “the one and only.” We’ve also got an interview with tattoo titan Mario Barth ahead of him opening his ultra tattoo salon at The Mirage tomorrow, plus the Royal Robin Rundown of a mega-star weekend on and off the Strip.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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