Issue 067
December 2009
It is every fight fan’s dream to see a UFC live in Las Vegas. Don’t dream any longer; make it a reality.
Plan in advance
If you’re going to trek all the way to Las Vegas to see a UFC, a little forethought can go a long way. As fun as an impulse decision to shoot down to Sin City for the fights may be, you won’t get the most out of your trip. Try to anticipate when the best time to go would be. The UFC traditionally host a show at the end of the year; details of other Vegas events are always released months in advance. Use the time to get everything in order, and as the event approaches the anticipation will make it even sweeter when you arrive.
Sitting at ringside is a special experience, but it’s not all about the fights.
Choose your seats wisely
Those ringside seats may sound just the ticket, but consider this: If you’re intent on getting the best view possible, then two rows back from the front and all you’ll see are the backs of people’s heads whenever they stand up. You’ll be left watching the action on the big screens, something you could have done at home.
Sitting at ringside is a special experience, but it’s not all about the fights. The atmosphere, the ability to hobnob with likeminded fans and the chance to rub shoulders with fighters and even celebrities; the action is obviously the focus, but there is more to it than that. Where else could you spend a couple of hours within groping distance of the UFC ring girls?
Saving money by opting for the nosebleed seats sounds well and good, but there is a reason these tickets are priced the lowest. Savvy fans opt for seats in the lower tier. They’re slightly more expensive than the upper levels but they sell out quickly (and for a good reason). You’re high up enough to get a clear view of what’s going on in the Octagon with little or no obstruction, close enough to hear the thwack of punches and kicks, and it is here the camera crews film the fans, ensuring a moment of fame among your friends back home when they see you on TV.
Get your tickets ASAP
You shouldn’t need to be told this: UFCs sell out FAST. The last few Vegas events have sold out within days. Don’t fall prey to the hawkers and the scalpers – who wants to pay hundreds of dollars for $50 seats? The best way to ensure you’re not left out in the rush is to sign up as a member with the UFC Fight Club (www.ufcfightclub.com).
As part of the Fight Club you’ll get advance notice of when tickets go on sale and even first access to pre-sale tickets, as well as meet and greets and Q&As with UFC fighters prior to the events. There is an annual membership fee, but Fight Club members also get money off merchandise, access to an online community and much more. If you’re serious about making the most of your trip, it’s worth considering.
Book flights early
Airfares rise considerably if you try to book them at short notice, especially for international flights. Don’t leave it to the last minute as fares rise sharply when you book close to the day you want to fly. Book flights at least four weeks in advance and search out the best deals via websites such as www.expedia.com.
Stay off-strip
Accommodation is cheap and easy to come by in Las Vegas. Avoid the big casino hotels on the strip to get the best deals. There are plenty of decent hotels located ‘off-strip’, from boulevards that run parallel to the strip, to those slightly farther out. Try to stay within a mile or two of the strip as cabs are expensive in Vegas. If you’re going to watch a Fight Night (which are usually held at the Palms) aim for a hotel west of the strip.
The weigh-ins
There is always plenty of stuff to keep you amused in Las Vegas! From shows to slot machines, it’s a 24-hour town with something for everyone. If you want to party, gamble or just hang out, that’s no problem, but remember that there is more to the UFC experience than just the event. The public weigh-ins take place at around 4pm the day before the event. Watch the UFC stars get face-to-face and
pumped for the big show.
No tickets? Don’t despair
The UFC treat their fans well. Can’t get tickets for that big show but still fancy soaking up the Vegas experience? For UFC 100, the UFC erected a huge screen at the Mandalay Bay Beach, an 11-acre pool complex, for a viewing party where fans could watch the event. Over 2,000 fans watched Brock Lesnar beat Frank Mir under a starry sky, making for a UFC experience like no other. Also, Station Casinos will often televise the events on large screens.
Party like a fighter
Do a quick Internet search a few days before the event as there will be a host of pre- and post-fight parties in the trendiest clubs in town. Fighters host their after-parties at the biggest clubs, such as Tao, Studio 54, Tryst and Moon. Round out your time in Vegas by hitting the local hotspots.
Las Vegas Fight Fan Tip:
Take a camera everywhere you go. If you spend time in the casinos that host the events, you’re likely to bump into fighters almost everywhere you go, from restaurants to lifts.
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