Las Vegas Weekly

July 2, 2010 · 2:47 PM

Weekend rundown: UFC 116, WSOP, Chesney, Jersey Shore and porn stars

By Robin Leach

Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin pose for pictures Thursday during the UFC 116 pre-fight press conference at MGM Grand.

Photo: Justin M. Bowen

The biggest event of this holiday weekend in Las Vegas will be when UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar creates his own fireworks stepping back into the Octagon to defend his championship against interim titleholder Shane Carwin in UFC 116. Expect celebrities ringside at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

It’s a matchup of rivals a year in the making, and UFC President Dana White believes it’s the biggest fight in MMA history. They were due to battle each other in UFC 106, but Brock was sidelined by an illness that prevented him from training. The goliath is a four-time All-American, two-time Big 10 champion and 2000 NCAA national champion college wrestler. Shane, who is undefeated, is an All-American college football player who last had a devastating 69-second knockout against Gabriel Gonzaga.

Our Las Vegas Sun colleague Brett Okamoto wrote a rundown of what to expect tomorrow. Fans also will be watching the undercards of welterweights Chris Lytle vs. Matt Brown and middleweights Chris Leben vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama. There are six preliminary bouts before the main card with five bouts.

Incidentally, we reported the online rumblings of the much-anticipated Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao fight scheduled for Nov. 13, and since then, room rates at all MGM properties for the date have increased.

*Super magicians Penn & Teller held their AFAN Appreciation Night for team members of Penn & Teller Challenge who raised $500 or more for this year’s AIDS Walk. The 20th Annual AIDS Walk Las Vegas was April 25 and raised $500,000. The duo served as grand marshals and hosted their own AIDS Walk team.

They signed up 1,000 participants of the 8,500 walkers and raised $176,000, including Penn & Teller’s donating match. More than 200 people at The Rio enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and dessert, including an AFAN/Penn & Teller themed cake by Caked Las Vegas, along with a pre-show meet-and-greet with The Rio headliners. Teller walked around and provided magic lessons to children and adults alike. The guests also attended Penn & Teller’s show on behalf of the entertainers.

*Ink-stained members of the media join ring announcer Bruce Buffer today to kick off the action-packed UFC 116 weekend to highlight the recent opening of his Bruce Buffer Poker Room at the Luxor. As TV and radio anchors join with newspaper and online writers to become poker stars in their own right at the unique tournament, Tacos & Tequila will provide food to the players. The top three winners receive gift bags of Luxor merchandise and show tickets.

The Bruce Buffer Poker Room will host tournaments, autograph sessions and additional activities during select UFC event weekends. There also are plans for special appearances by Bruce throughout the summer and signature tournaments allowing guests to play heads-up against “The Voice of the UFC.” Along with the Poker Room, Luxor features the addition of the Bruce Buffer High-Stakes Poker Lounge and the Buffer Zone Retail Shop. I won’t be playing, so my colleagues in crime are all quite safe!

*Apparently it’s not a slam-dunk for giant Brock to dominate Shane Carwin in the UFC 116 heavyweight showdown tomorrow. Brock normally steamrolls his opponents, but several MMA athletes I’ve talked with say that with the right moves, Brock can be toppled, and Shane is the man who could do the job, winning his last 12 takedowns. Whatever happens, Shane plans to throw an after-fight party in The Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay.

*Hair colorist to the stars Michael Boychuck, the glamour weapon of such celebrities as Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton, has worked his magic again with Las Vegas musical headliner Marley Taylor of Zowie Bowie. At her request, Michael transformed Marley’s signature platinum blonde locks to a rich, chocolate brown hue. Marley, a longtime client, was ecstatic with the results and raved about her experience at his Color salon in Caesars Palace.

*One of the hot parties this weekend is a nightlife industry beauty pageant at Bare Pool Lounge in The Mirage. Some 20 girls representing nightlife venues in Las Vegas will be judged on beauty, intelligence, charisma and of course what they look like in a bikini. Look for reality TV star Tiffany Masters, actor Dennis Haskins from Saved by the Bell and nightlife guru Jack Colton to be on the panel of experts. The top three finishers poolside continue to Jet in The Mirage afterward, where the crowd determines the winner who gets the title, a crown and cash.

*A new Luxor promotion lets Las Vegas showgoers get tickets to the hotel’s hot Fantasy adult revue and also watch an additional show at Luxor or Excalibur for $75. The offer includes one ticket to Fantasy, plus one ticket to Believe, Carrot Top, Menopause the Musical, Thunder From Down Under, Tournament of Kings or Defending the Caveman.

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK

Mandalay Bay star chef Hubert Keller will serve as a judge on Top Chef: Just Desserts in production for Bravo. A James Beard Best Chef: California winner, Hubert owns Fleur de Lys and Burger Bar here. …. Sam Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2010 NFL draft, partied at Surrender in the Encore. The Heisman Trophy winner and new St. Louis Rams quarterback chatted with clubgoers from his spot at the owners table until closing. … Las Vegas chefs are pondering a Menu Pad version of Apple’s iPad that lets diners preview and order their food at the table.

Now it’s time for you to bite into our tastiest preparation that’s a recipe for a phenomenally fun Fourth of July holiday weekend served sizzling in gourmet style that we affectionately refer to around here as the ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:

FRIDAY, JULY 2

*Country king Kenny Chesney, the eight-time Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year, has two nights of shows in The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel, and, yes, that hat will stay on during his two-hour, 30-song fest.

*Comedy legend Bill Cosby brings his storytelling humor to Treasure Island. His show has moved to an earlier 7 p.m. start. … Multitalented comedian and actor David Alan Grier’s standup is set for Mandalay Bay Theater. … UFC commentator Joe Rogan performs at House of Blues in Mandalay Bay.

*A few female MMA fighters make their debut in a big Tuff-N-Uff match-up at The Orleans. One kickboxer is a 17-time champion, and another has a 12-1 record. … The UFC 116 Pre-Party sponsored by Silver Star Casting is at Studio 54 in MGM Grand.

*The Backstreet Boys racked up more than 75 million album sales since forming in 1992 and are still thrilling fans. BSB is at Mandalay Bay Beach. … Shooter Jennings and Clydesdale are at Crown Theater in The Rio. … Fuel is at Aliante Station. … Flavor Flav is at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip for two nights with his own Fourth of July celebration.

*It’s the final three days of Just Imagine, about the life and music of John Lennon, at Planet Hollywood.

*The 2nd Annual Suzie and Howard Lederer Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament to benefit Boys & Girls Club is at Golden Nugget downtown, with the winner appearing on NBC’s Poker After Dark.

PARTY PATROL

Adult film star Jenna Haze hosts at Crown. … Jersey Shore star Ronnie Ortiz-Magro hosts at Jet in The Mirage. … Def Jam’s Pittsburgh Slims will have “Girls Kissing Girls” at The Bank in the Bellagio.

SATURDAY, JULY 3

*The biggest event of the night will be the rumble in the ring at UFC 116, as we reported above. Shane hosts his after-party at The Foundation Room in Mandalay Bay. … UFC star Wanderlei Silva celebrates his 34th birthday at the UFC post-fight party at Studio 54 with a performance by Naughty by Nature. … UFC fighter Forrest Griffin has a meet-and-greet at Aliante. … The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 star and welterweight contender Josh Koscheck hosts a viewing party at Lagasse’s Stadium in the Palazzo.

*Please don’t forget Annie Duke and Don Cheadle’s Ante Up for Africa celebrity poker tournament at The Rio with Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Brad Garrett and many other stars and poker pros.

*It’s the first of two consecutive days that Caesars Palace cools you down at its Strip-front Roman Plaza with a four-story, snow-covered ski jump and outdoor ice lounge to hang out in as pro snowboarders and skiers perform in the ultimate cold zone. How fast will it all melt in the expected 100-plus-degree heat?!

*Magic master David Copperfield, who recently appeared on the Daytime Emmy Awards at the Las Vegas Hilton, returns to MGM Grand through Aug. 4 with his incredible illusions.

*Jersey Shore star Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino makes a guest appearance at Sugar Factory at Planet Hollywood at 3 p.m.

*John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band play poolside at Red Rock Resort. … Sugar Ray and frontman Mark McGrath make sweet at Silverton Casino Lodge. … One Republic is at Mandalay Bay Beach. … Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers are at Cannery. … Evenflow is at Aliante. … Wonder Girls are at House of Blues. … Australia’s Little River Band performs a free concert at Fremont Street Experience. … The Scintas put on their family show of songs, music and comedy at Suncoast for two nights. .. And international pop diva Coco Lee celebrates her East to West World Tour with two nights at Encore Theater in Wynn.

PARTY PATROL

The Girls Next Door and Kendra beauty Kendra Wilkinson soaks up the sun with a bikini bash at Moorea Beach Club in Mandalay Bay. … Public Enemy hosts and performs at Jet in The Mirage. Jersey Shore star Jenni “JWoww” Farley debuts her Filthy Couture clothing line with a fashion show and party at Ghostbar in the Palms and then onto a bigger bash at Moon. Kelly Rowland performs at Pure in Caesars Palace. … Big Boi is at LAX in the Luxor. … DJ Paul Van Dyk plays the night away at Tao in The Venetian, and then wakes up the morning at Tao Beach. … LMFAO is the guest performer at Tao Beach. … Busta Rhymes kicks off his holiday partying at Eva Longoria Parker’s Eve in MGM CityCenter’s Crystals. … Porn princess Jesse Jane is at Deja Vu for an autograph signing and then nude dancing.

SUNDAY, JULY 4

Happy Independence Day, everybody, and the fireworks will light up our sky with concerts and shows all wishing Happy Birthday, America. The main Strip fireworks show will be at Caesars Palace’s Roman Plaza by the ski jump. … Five of the Station Casinos will continue their Fourth of July tradition with a 9-minute fireworks show by the famed Grucci family from New York. Watch the celebration of America’s 234th birthday at Aliante, Green Valley, Red Rock, Fiesta Rancho and Texas Station.

*Funnyman Mike Epps brings his Underrated and Never Faded Tour to The Joint.

*Carey Hart welcomes The Addicts to his Wasted Space at the Hard Rock Hotel. … Highwire puts on a live three-hour show at Aliante, with fireworks set for 9 p.m.

*It’s the grand opening celebration of Rock & Rita’s bar and restaurant at Circus Circus by the folks who brought us Kahunaville at Treasure Island. Check out the top flair bartenders in the world showcasing their skills.

PARTY PATROL

All-American beauty Holly Madison hosts the party scene at Wet Republic in MGM Grand. … R&B superstar Nelly hosts and performs at Jet. … Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino hosts Rehab at the Hard Rock Hotel, while his TV sidekick DJ Pauly D plays at the Palms Pool. … The five deejays who comprise Skam jam behind the wheels of steel at The Bank. … Big Boi entertains at Venus Pool Club in Caesars Palace. … Adult entertainer Jesse Jane dances nude at Little Darlings. … And the sexy girls from Bite and the cast of American Superstars at Stratosphere host the Red White and You pool party at their casino hotel complete with bikini blackjack.

MONDAY, JULY 5

*Play begins in the Main Event of the 2010 World Series of Poker at The Rio.

*America’s Got Talent finalist Grandma Lee returns to headline for two months at Bonkerz Comedy Club at Palace Station until Louie Anderson takes over as of Sept. 5.

*Local music favorites Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns start a series of Monday shows at the Palms Lounge continuing their 30-year run of funk, rock and jazz. Guitarist founder Jerry Lopez leads the six-man ensemble. Their first studio album is When the Curtain Goes Up.

PARTY PATROL

Celebrity judges interview a parade of the All-American Girl Pageant at Bare Pool Lounge in The Mirage to pick three winners from our nightlife industry. Then those finalists continue onto Jet, where the night crowd applauds for one winner, as we reported above.

TUESDAY’S TEASES

Superstar Celine Dion is loving her pregnancy and has already set the start date for rehearsals of her new Caesars Palace show next year, plus we’ll have the full photo report of the holiday weekend parties and shows.

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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