Whether you’re hitting the poker tables or sitting in the audience at an MMA fight, Las Vegas is the place to be. Sin City has had a rich and wild history of gambling and fights, and the two have long been intertwined.
It began when casino operators figured out that boxing could draw more people to the gambling halls once the fights were over. Now, the city is known as the undisputed fight capital of the world. The UFC isn’t exempt from the glitz and glamour of Vegas, and many fighters have also been drawn to the poker rooms thanks to their close proximity. Many MMA icons are also surprisingly proficient at the game, whether playing low-stakes games or professional-level tournaments.
Las Vegas, poker, and the UFC
Las Vegas is where people go to experience thrilling entertainment, but its claim to fame is undoubtedly the iconic Vegas Strip. There’s no shortage of casinos along the Strip, where everyone from high rollers to amateurs and even mixed martial artists can explore. Poker has a long history in Las Vegas, especially with the World Series of Poker (WSOP), which was founded there in 1970.
While you can play poker in person at the poker rooms of Vegas’s many casinos, playing online can get budding poker stars a fast pass to the city.
Americas Cardroom often holds tournaments and events that can send players to Las Vegas through WSOP Main Event packages. They include the costs for the event buy-in and travel expenses. The poker platform also offers packages to ACR Pro.
Chris Moneymaker’s 2025 Poker Tour, allowing winners to go to their destination of choice, such as Las Vegas. And this is where the two worlds of MMA and professional poker collide. Vegas is where most of the tentpole UFC cards are held, thanks to state-of-the-art venues such as the MGM Grand, T-Mobile Arena and the UFC Apex. While poker and the UFC may seem worlds apart, many fighters often enjoy a game or tournament and consider poker very similar to being in the Octagon. So, with that in mind, here are some UFC legends who enjoy stacking chips on the felt:
Colby Covington
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Colby Covington is a force to be reckoned with in the Octagon, being a former Interim UFC Welterweight Champion and ranking #9 in the UFC welterweight rankings as of December 2024. His aggressive approach has also made him a formidable opponent in poker. He started playing online poker in the late 2000s and transitioned to live tournaments and small cash events. He even took home some tournament victories, such as the $1,100 buy-in Pot Limit Omaha Eight or Better event at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open in 2022. He also competed in the WSOP $10,000 buy-in No-limit Hold’em World Championship in 2024, marking his third Main Event. He has around $313,000 in live tournament winnings. Covington has said that poker is similar to fighting, as both require a lot of mental toughness, the ability to be good under pressure, and emotional regulation—conditions under which he thrives.
George St-Pierre
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Retired MMA fighter
George St-Pierre is an iconic figure in the UFC and is considered by many to be one of the greatest fighters of all time. Throughout his fighting career, the two-division champion lost only two out of 28 fights, and he even avenged those losses and defeated every fighter he’s come up against. Aside from MMA, he’s known for being a passionate poker player. In 2012, he competed in the WSOP Main Event and has competed in numerous tournaments worldwide since then. He also joined online poker tournaments to help benefit his anti-bullying foundation. While his poker career has yet to match his impressive time in the octagon, his competitive mindset, strategic thinking, and observation skills have helped him play among big names in the professional poker landscape.
Randy Couture
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Randy Couture, a six-time UFC Champion in the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions, has established himself as an MMA legend. The UFC Hall of Fame inductee competed in a record 16 title fights and is the oldest champion in MMA. He’s also skillful at the poker table, and has even participated in the WSOP in 2023. He hasn’t delved much into the professional poker scene, but he often holds poker tournaments for charity. He’s particularly passionate about supporting veterans, especially with his background as a former United States Army sergeant. He created the Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation to aid veterans and their families in returning to civilian life. True to his roots as a Las Vegas resident, he holds the annual Ride For Our Troops motorcycle and poker run to raise funds for the cause in a fun and flashy way; the event has been held for more than 16 years. In 2023, over 400 bikers showed up to the poker run. While he may not be a bonafide pro, his love for poker has helped him support a meaningful cause.
