In anticipation of UFC 161: EVANS vs. HENDERSON on Saturday, June 15, 2013, the UFC will bring the full experience to fans in Winnipeg with events all week long. Fans can enjoy UFC 161 open workouts, UFC autograph signings during half-time of the first-ever Winnipeg Blue Bombers game at Investors Group Field, UFC 161 weigh-ins and a pre-fight block party featuring interactive activities, guest appearances and more.
Wednesday, June 12:
The UFC will hold its open workouts from 11am to 2pm on June 12 in Edmonton Court at Portage Place Mall with nine fighters from Saturday night’s card. Hard-hitting heavyweights Pat Barry (8-5, fighting out of Alexandria, Minnesota) and Shawn Jordan (14-4, fighting out of Albuquerque, New Mexico) will join seven Canadians including light heavyweight Ryan Jimmo (17-2, fighting out of Edmonton, Alberta) and women’s bantamweight Alexis Davis (11-5, fighting out of Port Colborne, Ontario), who are both fighting on the main card. Winnipeg’s own Roland Delorme (8-1, 1NC), Toronto’s Sean Pierson (13-6), Montreal’s Yves Jabouin (18-8) and lightweights Sam Stout (20-8-1, fighting out of London, Ontario) and Mitch Clarke (9-2, fighting out of Edmonton, Alberta) will also participate. Open workouts are free and open to the public.
Following open workouts, the UFC will attend the inaugural game at Investors Group Field as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the Toronto Argonauts. Welterweight Jordan Mein (27-9, fighting out of Lethbridge, Alberta), lightweight Mike Ricci (9-3, fighting out of Montreal, Quebec) and women’s bantamweight Sarah Kaufman (15-2, fighting out of Victoria, BC) will be on hand to sign autographs on the concourse during half time.
Friday, June 14:
On June 14, the UFC will hold its official weigh-ins at the MTS Centre. All 22 fighters on the card will weigh-in and will be on scale beginning at 4pm. This event is free and doors are open to the public at 3pm.
Saturday, June 15 (Fight Night):
On Fight Day, June 15, the UFC will hold a UFC Experience Block Party at cityplace surface parking lot at the corner of Graham Avenue and Hargrave Street. This event is free for all ages and will run from 2-7 p.m. CT. UFC Experience features a fun and interactive fan zone offering fans a chance to pose with a UFC belt. Spectators can test their skills with a punch strength machine, vertical jump test, pull-up bar and push-up station. Fans can also enjoy Q&A sessionswith fighters and multiple autograph sessions. UFC lightweight contender TJ Grant (21-5, fighting out of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia), who will be challenging UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson for the title at UFC 164 on August 31, will be on hand for a Q&A from 2:30-3 p.m. and to sign autographs from 3-4 p.m. Kaufman and Mein will answer questions during a Q&A from 4-4:30 p.m., followed by an autograph signing until 5:30 p.m. Welterweight Mike Pyle (25-8-1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada) will also do a Q&A and signing beginning at 5 p.m., and lastly, Ricci will close out the event with a Q&A starting at 6 p.m.
The UFC Experience Block Party includes a licensed food and beverage area (photo identification is required to purchase alcohol). Other official partners and friends participating in the block party are Harley Davidson, Xyience, Winnipeg Jets Foundation, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Winnipeg Goldeyes. TSN1290 and CITI FM will also be on site as the official radio stations.
