Las Vegas kicked off Super Bowl weekend with a super Saturday of fights for UFC 156 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Here, some of the big names in attendance.
Sports Celebrities
Avid UFC fan Red Sox right fielder Shane Victorino (left) took in his final live event before spring training. Charles Barkley enthusiastically took in the main event, while the NHL represented with Jeremy Roenick.
NFL Stars
Although Sunday belonged to the NFL, several of the sport's players warmed up Saturday night at UFC 156. Kirk Morrison of the Buffalo Bills and Marcedes Lewis of the
Jacksonville Jaguars arrived early to catch some undercard fights.
Analyst Curt Menafee also attended and said he agreed with the judges on
the main event.
Knockout Madness
After the tremendous TKO of Alistair Overeem
by Bigfoot Silva, actor Bruno Gagliasso cheered enthusiastically for his
fellow Brazilian. Silva exited the Octagon and was greeted by a hearty
handshake from fellow heavy Roy Nelson.
70s Rock
Actor Wilmer Valderrama and Linkin Park bassist Dave Farrell (right) were among the stars spotted in the VIP section enjoying the night's spectacular fights.
Champions' Row
Cain Velasquez, Royce Gracie, Vitor Belfort and
Chuck Liddell sat directly behind the UFC bosses for the night's event.
Chuck Liddell was spotted conferring with Dana White between rounds of
the main event.
Jersey Strong
“Jersey Shore” star Jenni “JWoww” Farley sat front row with fiancée Roger Mathews (left), cheering on friend and fellow Jerseyite Frankie Edgar.
UFC's Own
John Dodson, Pat Barry, Clay Guida, Jake
Ellenberger, Erick Silva, Thiago Alves, Michael Johnson, Ricardo Lamas
and Mike Pyle were all seated together enjoying the night’s card with
their friends and dates for the evening.
Company Men
Backstage, Vegas locals Dan Hardy and Frank Mir
did interviews with members of the media about their upcoming bouts in
San Jose this April.
Stylin' Star
Coming off a huge win against Cowboy Cerrone, Anthony Pettis (right) came dressed to impress in true Showtime fashion
Fly Guy Fans
As flyweights Joseph Benavidez and
Ian McCall were battling in the Octagon, Benavidez' teammates Urijah Faber and Danny
Castillo were seen rooting for the Team Alpha Male 125er.
Corner Crew
What is a fighter without good cornermen? UFC vet Ricardo Almeida was in for Edgar’s BJJ. Bantamweight TJ Dillashaw helped flyweight Benavidez and Martin Kampmann cornered Xtreme Couture teammate Jay Hieron. Former WEC champ Mike Brown assisted Yves Edwards and featherweight Max Holloway loaned his expertise to Dustin Kimura's UFC debut.
