International Fight Week adds to UFC 148 hoopla

The UFC had already scheduled its Fan Expo in Las Vegas to coincide with the UFC 148 middleweight title bout between Chael Sonnen and longtime champion Anderson Silva on July 7 at the MGM Grand Garden.

Now the company has unveiled plans, in conjunction with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, for what it is calling International Fight Week. The five days of festivities leading up to the fight include pool parties, a concert, a pub crawl and other events that will feature appearances from UFC fighters and be open to the public.

“For years, the UFC has done a big Vegas show around the Fourth of July weekend, and now we’ve made it a focal point in our calendar,” UFC president Dana White said in a statement Monday.

The Fan Expo will take place July 6 and 7 at Mandalay Bay, but the week kicks off with a July 3 news conference at Lagasse’s Stadium at the Palazzo that will be open to fans. The kickoff party, featuring a free concert by 3 Doors Down, is scheduled for July 4 at the Fremont Street Experience.

The July 5 events include a pool party at the Palms and a downtown pub crawl.

The UFC will even host a First Friday art night downtown July 6.

“Las Vegas is the UFC’s hometown. This is where our headquarters are, this is where we are from, and we’re proud to be contributing to the local economy,” White said. “The first annual International Fight Week will be awesome, the fans are going to have a fight week experience better than anything they’ve ever had before, and each year we are going to build this thing to the point where every fan on the planet knows they have to come to Vegas for this July fight week at least once in their lives.”

Viewing parties will also be hosted by UFC fighters at several locations throughout town for the pay-per-view event July 7.

■ HAIR TODAY, GONE FRIDAY – Clay Guida will look like a different person when he steps in the cage to fight Gray Maynard in the pivotal lightweight main event of UFC on FX 4 on Friday night in Atlantic City.

Maynard’s camp filed a complaint with the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board about Guida’s hair, according to an MMAJunkie.com report. Rather than endure a hearing on the issue, Guida has agreed to braid his long, flowing locks for the fight.

The card will air live on FX (Cable 24) at 6 p.m.

■ CAVALCANTE TESTS POSITIVE – Former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante tested positive for a synthetic anabolic steroid before his 33-second victory over Mike Kyle last month in San Jose, Calif.

The California State Athletic Commission announced Cavalcante will be suspended for one year and fined $2,500. His win has been changed to a no-contest. Cavalcante will appeal the ruling.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.