The SafeAuto Insurance “VIP at the UFC” Facebook contest winners knew they were in for an amazing trip; they had no clue, however, what kind of access that they were going to be granted in Las Vegas for UFC 137. In addition to airfare, hotel and tickets to UFC 137 in Sin City, Nicholas Posner and Raymond Rodriguez were exposed to behind the scenes admittance that very few fans will ever experience.
Directly after the weigh-ins, at which Raymond and Nicholas had fifth row seats, the two UFC enthusiasts were able to go to SafeAuto Fight Team member Bart Palaszewski’s hotel room and ask him numerous questions and get autographed memorabilia. “Being in the hotel room with a fighter’s friends and family directly after the weigh-in is the type of access that most UFC fans dream of,” remarked Posner.
After meeting SafeAuto Fight Team Member, Palaszewski, Nicholas and Raymond hopped in their car and met Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, who was also representing SafeAuto Insurance in the Octagon. The winners met him and his entire family at Chilli’s for dinner the night before the bout. The contest winners learned so much about “Cowboy” and his family. “Seeing what a fighter’s mom goes through the night before her son fights, that was just so interesting to me,” exclaimed Posner.
Contest winners and “Cowboy” Cerrone
Raymond and Nicholas arrived at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, where UFC 137 was taking place, right when the doors opened. They were treated to an action packed day of fighting which included outstanding performances from both SafeAuto Fight Team members! Bart Palaszewski made a huge statement in his stunning first-round knockout of Tyson Griffin, earning him “Knockout of the Night” honors. Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone continued his hot streak with a dominating performance, as he finished off Siver in the first round with a shin-to-chin head kick and then dropped him with a right hook. He then followed Siver to the mat and secured the fight-ending rear-naked choke earning him “Submission of the Night” honors.
To cap off an amazing trip, Raymond and Nicholas were able to go to one of the premier nightclubs in Las Vegas, XS, where the UFC® was holding their official after party. Donald Cerrone was true to his word when he told the winners the previous night at dinner, “If I win tomorrow night, you guys (Nicholas and Raymond) are more than welcome to celebrate with me afterwards.” The contest winners met up with “Cowboy” to celebrate at Tabu at the MGM.
“When a company is an active sponsor with the UFC®, they certainly grab my attention,” said Posner. “I’ve started to notice SafeAuto more after this contest not only in the Octagon but also with their UFC® commercials with Clay Guida, which I found online.”
SafeAuto Insurance is glad to be an official sponsor of the UFC® and couldn’t be happier that these two huge UFC® fans were able to experience a “VIP” weekend in Vegas. “Thanks to SafeAuto Insurance we will never forget this weekend in Vegas for the rest of our lives,” concluded Posner.
