So, it was a busy end of the week, as we were getting ready to go out of town. At the beginning of...
UFC Expo 2024
Hey, so this was a busy week, it was actually a short week for me. We had a lot of normal stuff at work. But every year at this time, we go to UFC Expo. It's their big fan experience where a lot of the fighters and former fighters will show up to sign autographs. They have a store, various activities related to UFC, and then they have fights on Saturday night. We started going about three years ago, and we've gone the last three years. It's really a great time to meet the stars and the fighters and get their autographs and take pictures with them.
So, we went this year again, me and my whole family, and then my wife hung out with a friend of ours during the actual fights and didn't go to those. And now we'd been super excited because it was supposed to be Conor McGregor versus Michael Chandler. That was the big thing that was booked for the whole card, or it was the main card, but that fell through, and they ended up doing some replacements and shuffling around. It was Alex Pereira versus Jiří Procházka, which in and of itself is a big fight. Me and my boys are Jiří fans, and Alex is just such a monster. It's hard not to root for him too, he's just so dominant. So going into it, we were looking forward to that.
Also, Ian Garry and MVP had a fight as the third fight of the card, so we're really looking forward to that. Just followed Ian Garry since it came on the scene, and MVP is a newcomer. I was really looking forward to that fight. Thought it was going to be a real banger. Turned out to be just much more grappling and wrestling than I anticipated. It wasn't quite what I wanted, but still a good fight. Ian Garry won the fight, it was short, but it was great. MVP caught Garry with that hook at the end of round one and knocked him down. And then in round two, a head kick took Garry out.
So, I was sad to see that. Sad to see the Samurai go down, but it did. We had a wonderful time at the expo. Saw tons of fighters, got a lot of autographs. I actually had a bunch of ex-champions, sign some gold-colored gloves I bought. Well, just something for my keepsake cabinet and a bunch of pictures and had some sign some shirts and caps for the boys and some of the cards. So, wonderful time.
Got to Vegas super late on Thursday. I always forget about the time changes. It's just brutal, I don't bounce back the way I used to. I think I'm actually going to have to start having a spare day at the end of any of the trips if I go west of the Mississippi River, because the time change seems to knock me out, especially if you hang out with friends like we did in Vegas. We didn't do anything crazy, but we did go out to eat every night afterwards. And of course, the fights don't end until 10 o'clock, and then it's usually more like 11 or midnight before you get back to your room. But still a wonderful time. Really enjoyed it and look forward to it. If you're a UFC fan, I would always recommend it.
On my trip, Delta did manage to break one of my suitcases, two suitcases, actually. When we were at the airport, we didn't board early, so they said all the overhead cargo space was full and it was this check it at the end of the ramp kind of deal. We did that, even though when I got on the plane there were empty overhead compartments. And then when I picked up my luggage, the seams on two of my pieces of luggage were broken, so I guess we'll end up trying to file a claim with Delta. Don't know how much luck we'll have with that, but it's something we're going to try. I ended up buying a bag in Vegas.
Also, my wife found a new hat she wanted me to get. It's black like a lot of my others and sort of the page boy style, but it says UFC on the back of it, so she wanted to get it while we were out there. Hope you all had a great week and are gearing up for the 4th of July! Remember to stay safe out there! 4th of July is statistically one of the deadliest holidays for drunk driving, be safe, keep your wits about you, and don’t get behind the wheel if you have been drinking! Always remember, if you are in pain, call Shane!
Paw Offices of Teddy, Robin, & Kingston
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I was envisioning myself strutting into the arena, tail held high, whiskers twitching with anticipation. But then, just when I was about to sharpen my claws for the grand event, Shane—the neighborhood dude who thinks he's the boss of everything—comes by muttering something about invites. And guess whose name wasn't on the list? You got it, Kingston!
Can you believe the nerve? Me, the backyard brawler extraordinaire, left out like yesterday's kibble. Shane had the gall to say something about "no cats allowed" because we might mistake the fighters' gear for giant scratching posts. As if I'd sink my claws into something that doesn't even smell like catnip!
So, there I was, relegated to watching the event through the window, tail twitching with frustration. All that practice, wasted. All those hours perfecting my mean mug stare, gone unnoticed. It was a cat-astrophe, I tell ya.
But mark my words, Shane and all you doubters out there—Kingston doesn't give up that easily. One day, you'll see me in that octagon, showing off my cat-leticism and taking down opponents with a flick of my whiskers. Until then, I'll be here, plotting my comeback and perfecting my mean mug for the next big event. Because Kingston, the backyard warrior, never backs down.
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