UFC weekend meant that Downtown Las Vegas was packed full of MMA fighters ready to hang out, relax, and pound down a bunch of BEEF!
One of the newest properties on Fremont Street, Circa Las Vegas, houses one of the most esteemed steakhouses in the city and a ton of famous fighters were spotted pounding down a bunch of steaks.
Jamahal Hill, current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, visited Barry’s Downtown Prime for a celebratory dinner with his UFC and MMA friends Joaquin Buckley, Jessica Penne, Phil Davis, Angela Hill, and Alyse Anderson.
Jamahal began his MMA career in 2017 and made his UFC debut in 2020. Hill also won the “Fight of the Night” award during the same bout where he secured his first championship belt. His fight against Glover Teixeira became a huge moment in his career, with the most significant strikes landed and attempted in a fight in UFC Light Heavyweight division history.
UFC Star Squares Off With Celebrity Chef In Las Vegas!
Chef Barry S. Dakake knew that the UFC superstar had a lot to celebrate when he came in for dinner. The table enjoyed a chilled shellfish platter that was full of the finest seafood one can imagine. A Maine lobster, king crab legs, oysters, and a jumbo shrimp cocktail are just a few of the options that come with it.
Across the restaurant, UFC sensations Brian Ortega and Michael Chiesa were enjoying dinner with their friends and family as well. Brian and a group of his close friends were seated at a table nearby Michael and his wife Kelsi Jo Chiesa. Michael posted a video of his dry-aged New York sirloin to his Instagram story in which he said “there isn’t a better place to eat in Vegas” than Barry’s.
After a delectable and filling dinner, their host for the evening, Circa Executive Richard Wilk, brought all the fighters together to visit the Celebrity Chef and Co-Owner Yassine Lyoubi in the kitchen for a tour, photos, and a fun face-off. The group was all smiles as they posed with the champion of Barry’s Downtown Prime!
The best part, Jamahal was showing off his championship belt to the chef when the pair decided to have their own face-off in the kitchen. Chef Barry never broke eye contact as he grabbed his own version of a championship belt, the platter on which they serve their steaks.
That’s not all…Jessica Penne, a competitor in the Women’s Strawweight division, visited Barry’s steakhouse to fuel up for her upcoming fight that weekend. We’re told Barry loves that these fighters know that they can count on him to help prepare them for their big match. Jessica showed her appreciation for the incredible dinner that he prepared with a big hug in the kitchen.
MMA Star Jessica Penne Bear Hugs Chef After Amazing Steak Dinner
Many other fighters such as Raul Rosas Jr. and Brandon Moreno, were also seen dining in Barry’s the next night, as well as music mogul Steve Rifkind. Steve is the founder and chairman of Loud Records and SRC Records, two record labels that are home to some of the most popular hip-hop groups. The music mogul is well-known for launching the careers of hip-hop legends Wu-Tang Clan, Three 6 Mafia, and Mobb Deep amongst so many more.
Steve was celebrating his birthday with his girlfriend, Aliyah Autry, and the pair knew that they had to catch up with Rifkind’s old friend and Circa Exec, Richard Wilk during their night out. Chef Barry and Richard, who were in the middle of taking care of all the UFC fighters, still found time to chat with the couple about their meal and plans for the weekend.
Bottom line…you never know who you’ll see at this celebrity hotspot, as Circa Resort and Barry’s Downtown Prime have established themselves as the go-to spot for many UFC stars and athletes!
