UFC 290: Calls for public holiday if Aussies sweep fights, celebs galore in Las Vegas

There are calls for a public holiday in Australia if every Aussie fighter sweeps the table at a star-studded UFC card this weekend.

Matthew Sullivan

2 min read

July 9, 2023 - 11:00AM

Josh Giddey, Dylan Alcott and Alex Volkanovski at UFC 290.

It’s an Aussie takeover in Las Vegas this weekend for UFC 290 and former Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott is calling for a public holiday Down Under if every Australian fighter wins on Sunday.

Alex Volkanovski is defending his featherweight belt against Brazilian Yair Rodriguez, while middleweight Rob Whittaker is taking on Dricus Du Plessis.

UFC 290 | SUN JULY 9: It’s an Aussie Takeover in Vegas for one of biggest fights of the year. UFC Champ Alex Volkanovski takes on Yair Rodriguez and fan favourite Rob Whittaker returns to the Octagon. ORDER ON MAIN EVENT ON KAYO SPORTS >

Fellow Aussies Jimmy Crute and Shannon Ross are fighting on the undercard, but rising welterweight star Jack Della Maddalena’s fight was cancelled for a second time after Josiah Harrell pulled out with a brain diagnosis.

Alcott is in Las Vegas for Kayo Sports and asked UFC boss Dana White if Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should declare a public holiday if all four Aussie fighters win on Sunday.

White replied: “I don’t think he gives a s**t what I think to be honest. But sounds good to me.”

It would be a bold call reminiscent of when Bob Hawke famously said any boss who sacked their workers for not turning up to work after Australia’s 1983 triumph in the America’s Cup is “a bum”.

Vegas is the mecca of the sporting world this season, with the NBA’s Summer League also kicking off in Sin City, and the events are drawing all manner of sportspeople and celebrities.

Aussie basketballer Josh Giddey is in town to watch his Oklahoma City Thunder in action and said he was backing Volkanovski and Whittaker to get the job done.

“It’s awesome. Sport is growing around the globe, Australia’s been put on the map,” Giddey said.

“I’m trying to do my part in the basketball world. Volk’s flying the flag in the UFC world. I think we’re getting respected all around the world and it’s great to see so many athletes from Australia at the top of their game.”

Giddey, Volkanovski and Alcott posed with an Australian flag that will certainly be making an appearance if the Aussie contingent can get four wins from four fights.

Josh Giddey, Dylan Alcott and Alex Volkanovski at UFC 290. Photo: Supplied.

Plenty of celebrities will be in the house to watch UFC 290, including Hollywood star Mel Gibson.

“I already met Mel Gibson, that was pretty cool,” Volkanovski told news.com.au this week.

“I know he’s going to be there this weekend. A heap of people are going to be there. Looking forward to putting on a show for them.

“You grow up watching him in Braveheart and all the iconic movies, then to see him in person, it was pretty cool and pretty surreal.

“He’s been at the (Brian) Ortega fight and the last (Max) Holloway fight. He’s a bit of a fan. He loves watching me fight. He’ll be there this weekend.”

Other celebrities rumoured to be in attendance at UFC 290 include Tom Brady, Britney Spears, NBA No. 1 draft pick Victor Wembanyama, Kevin Hart, LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal and rappers J Cole and T-Pain.