The Fight Fan's Guide to Vegas: Special UFC 98 Edition

(So...you guys are Matt Serra fans, I take it?)

You’re wondering, ‘Say I go to UFC 98, what am I supposed to do in this Las Vegas place to entertain myself before and after the fights?’  Fortunately, we’ve got you covered.  We asked the guys from RawVegas.tv and MMA Fix what out-of-town MMA fans like you might be interested in, and then we combined their advice with some of our own personal favorites.  Enjoy.

1. Get Your Oompa on at the Hofbrauhaus

There’s no better place than the Hofbrauhaus on Paradise Rd. to eat some quality German food, drink some huuuuge steins of good beer, and listen to an Oompa band while downing shots of Jägermeister.  As a bonus, when you order the shots one of their hot waitresses paddles you on the ass in front of everyone.  Trust us, it’s more fun than you might think.

2. Hit Up the Weigh-In

As MMA Fix’s Dave Farra puts it, “First, it's free (get there early; BJ / GSP was full about 30 min before the first fighter stepped onto the scale). Second, it's loaded with other UFC stars that aren't on the card, and there is an organized free autograph session with many of the top UFC fighters.”  It’s also your best chance to make fun of guys with Chuck Liddell haircuts wearing Affliction shirts.  So there’s that.

3. Down Some Vodka at Red Square

Ask yourself, what would Fedor do if he were here?  He’d probably look for some scary rollercoasters, but a better idea is to head on over to Red Square inside Mandalay Bay and get yourself in trouble with some fine chilled vodka.  Naturally you’ll want to maintain a stoic fatalism about life the whole time, just to make sure you get the authentic Russian experience.

4. After the Show It’s the Afterparty

Once you’ve had an awesome time watching Evans/Machida and taking your side in the culture war that is Serra/Hughes, you can’t just go back to the hotel and go to sleep.  Instead, get in on one of Vegas’ many UFC afterparties.  Dave Farra says: “Usually one of the headiners will throw their after party at Studio 54 in the MGM (you'll need shiny shoes to get in there).  Tabu is also in MGM and is a bit smaller venue that almost always throws a fighter afterparty. Other fighters are sprinkled throughout the city at different clubs, but the majority of the MMA star studded events are at the casino with the fight (MGM).”

Steve “Chops” Preiss of Raw Vegas also suggests the Hawaiian Tropic Zone: “One of the best venues to view the fight if you don’t have tickets but also one of the best after-parties.”

5. Finish the Weekend Off with a Pool Party

So it’s Sunday morning and you’re pretty tore down.  You can either go to Denny’s and try not to throw up, or you can keep the party going.  Dave Farra recommends the latter: “If you have enough money, energy, and time on Sunday before you take off; go to Rehab at the Hard Rock. It is probably the most infamous pool party in Vegas and it is a wild time. Beware: Lots of meatheads, strippers, and murky water.  Enjoy at your own risk!”