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Forrest Griffin, right, with Phil Davis, celebrates his victory at UFC 126 at Lavo in the Palazzo on Feb. 5, 2011.
Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012 | 7:09 p.m.
Las Vegas Bike Fest
Jim Belushi, Michael Frey and a guest at Casa Fuente in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012.
Marie Osmond, Cedric the Entertainer and Donny Osmond at the Flamingo on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012.
Three Las Vegas fighters are among the 32 mixed martial artists competing in the two-hour premiere of “The Ultimate Fighter” on FX on Friday, and all three could be eliminated or continue in the new season. However, 16 of the fighters will bite the dust in the instant-elimination fights.
Bristol Marunde, 30, Cameron Diffley, 27, and Lev Magen, 25, all live here, but if they move forward, they will train in the TUF gym and live in the TUF house for the duration of the season. Sixty unsigned fighters tested for the show.
Former champions Shane Carwin and Roy Nelson, who admit that they can’t stand each other, will serve as coaches of the 16 winners split into two teams of eight. Many of today’s MMA stars emerged from “TUF,” including Rashad Evans, Kenny Florian, Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonner.
‘PAWN STARS’ RIDE: Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison from “Pawn Stars” has agreed to be the grand marshal of the inaugural Las Vegas Bike Fest Strip ride Sept. 27. Corey is taking part to promote his favorite charity Wounded Warriors Project. The evening ride will travel from Cashman Center along the Strip and end at Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip.
PROST & VIEL GLUCK: For the ninth consecutive year, Magicians of the Century Siegfried & Roy will kick off the first weekend of the six-week-long Oktoberfest at Hofbrauhaus on Saturday. This year, organizers at the faithful Las Vegas reproduction of the world’s most famous beer hall are organizing Jägermeister spankings, and, for the first time, an Oktoberfest Stein-Holding Competition.
A RECORD WITH BUTTS: To celebrate its 25th anniversary, “Crazy Girls” topless revue at the Riviera is planning to create a record Longest Butt Lineup on Oct. 2. Ladies must be 21 or older to join in the re-creation of the “Crazy Girls” pose at the bronze statue in front of the hotel.
“When we opened ‘Crazy Girls’ a quarter of a century ago, we had no idea it would become such a significant part of Las Vegas entertainment history,” said creator Norbert Aleman. “The iconic pose created quite a stir when we first unveiled it, and 25 years later, it is still one of the most recognizable images in Las Vegas.”
Riviera President Andy Choy added: “ ‘Crazy Girls’ has had nearly 17,000 shows -- all of them have been here. The controversy that surrounded the show when it opened in 1987 with the bronze butts boosted its popularity to unbelievable heights. That sentiment holds true today as we begin the show’s next 25-year run at Riviera.”
DIVORCE PARTIES: We knew that Las Vegas is one city that’s no stranger to couples tying the knot or celebrating bachelor and bachelorette parties en masse. We’ve held as many as 315 marriages a day here. Now the new rage is divorce parties. My friend Lois Tarter’s book “The Divorce Ritual: Get Up, Get Out and Get On With Your life” is a guide for going from chains to freedom.
She told me: “Divorce is often thought of as a negative experience. I’m bringing lightness to the ordeal and offering rituals to help any divorcee toast her new life. After a divorce, it’s important to feel like you’re making progress and moving forward.” The book, available at Amazon.com, includes the suggestion of throwing the ultimate divorce party in Las Vegas.
STAR SURVEILLANCE
Comedy actor Jim Belushi stopped at Casa Fuente in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace with owner Michael Frey for cigars and mojitos. Vegas DeLuxe wishes Michael a “Happy Birthday” today!
Mom-to-be Holly Madison had a little practice with a young visitor on the second day of promoting her Lucky Pet Products by Holly Madison at the SuperZoo pet convention at Mandalay Bay.
The knockout Las Vegas beauties who make up the electronic string quartet Phat Strad have returned to the Strip after a week of live shows in Rome. Next up: the Creative Arts Emmys in Hollywood.
Comedy actor Cedric the Entertainer watched Donny & Marie Osmond’s show at the Flamingo on Wednesday night.
TONIGHT’S TIPS
Late-night talk-show host Craig Ferguson begins his weekend run at the Venetian; be sure to check out Editor at Large John Katsilometes’ Q+A with him.
Latin superstar Luis Miguel begins his weekend run celebrating Mexican Independence at the Colosseum in Caesars Palace.
Swedish rockers The Hives perform punk-garage sounds at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas’ Boulevard Social Club at Boulevard Pool.
Flamenco and classical guitarist Esteban, a student of guitar legend Andre Segovia, performs at Cabaret Jazz at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Click Kats also chatted with Esteban.
New sports and drinking hotspots! The Ainsworth at the Hard Rock Hotel and Public House Luxor celebrate their VIP grand openings.
TOMORROW’S TEASE
Thousands of amigos pour into town for the Mexican Independence holiday weekend, with Latin superstars performing in concert and fighters Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Sergio Martinez thrilling boxing fans. Ole! We’ve got the full Royal Robin Rundown of the monstrous lineup.
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.
Pawn Stars = family arrogance of major proportions