Since the UFC is returning for the third time to Columbus and the fourth time to the Buckeye state, I wrote up this little guide of activities and places to go. Now if you ever run into problems with any local just say O-H-I-O. It's like a password that identifies you as a Buckeye fan but also makes you vulnerable to the scorn of every college football fan around the country. Use at your own peril. 

- Friday night MMAJunkie and American Fighter team up for a pre-UFC 96 party at Mynt Ultra Lounge. Rich Franklin and Bruce Buffer will be in attendance. Call Josh at (614) 989-8258 to reserve a table. 

- Also on Friday night Fight Magazine and Cagepotato will be holding a pre-party at the Sugar Bar and there's has an open bar (take that stupid MMAJunkie fuckers hahaha!). Well the open bar is only for VIP's from 8:30-10:00pm, but if you are not on the list you can still get in after ten o'clock. No word on the UFC fighters that will be there, but there is a ring girl contest hosted by Bruce Buffer! Wait a second I thought he was at the Junkie party? How could you betray me Bruce!?

- Since UFC 96 is taking place at Nationwide Arena (home to the Blue Jackets) there is a bunch to do in the Arena District. If you go to the link they will tell you what to do and where to eat basically I am getting a little lazy about this.

- Of course there is the UFC weigh-ins which start at 4pm at Nationwide Arena. A question and answer session featuring Frank Mir will take place with UFC members at 2pm. 

- If you don't have tickets there are some ways to win them thanks to 97.1 The Fan(the local ESPN radio station). Tonight at the Little Bar from 10-12pm they will be doing ticket drawings. On Friday at the R Bar they will be giving away tickets from 5-7pm. Now if you call in on the Midday Show and win the "Airing of Grievances" segment ( a la Seinfeld) you can win tickets. There is also a web promotion to get the PPV for free so check that out too. 

- There will be a bunch of Canadians coming down on Crash MMA's party bus, (including the fightlinker crew). Their website says they are going to a kick ass after party but it doesn't say where. I guess you have to be in the Canadian cult to get in. 

- There is of course the Arnold Sports Festival. That's right America's Govenator gives back to the city that helped launch his career. The Festival starts this Friday and contains such events as cheerleading and weightlifting (full schedule here). Okay, I know that sounds mind numbingly boring, but if you need to buy a years supply of GNC goods I would check it out. The Festival is taking place at the Columbus Convention Center, right off of High Street. 

- Now if you are looking for something to eat or just to binge on chocolate and ice cream you can go to the North Market. Don't worry it's right next to Arena District. This is the historical market for Columbus, but now it is home to a bunch of local businesses that sell anything from local chocolate, local ice cream, Vietnamese food, and crazy beer. Who doesn't like crazy beer? 

- For more information regarding Columbus Bars and Restaurants go here

- If you keep going north up High Street you will come upon the Short North. It's the art district, so basically its a bunch of hippies, emo kids and gay people, but that doesn't mean their aren't good bars and music. 

- Now if you really keep going north on High Street you will come upon The Ohio State University. OSU is essentially its own city so there isn't really a lot I can point out without writing a whole other post so I will let you in on my favorite places. On the south tip of Campus there is a district called the Gateway. It hosts a bunch of bars and where a lot of drunk college kids go. Now if you want to smoke a some inside (since there is a smoking ban) go to my favorite hookah bar on the north side of campus called the Shisha Lounge.  Most Buckeye fans love the football stadium, called the the Horseshoe, but my favorite thing is the Jesse Owens memorial in front of the stadium.

- If you go south on High Street you will be in downtown Columbus, not a lot there besides the State House. If you have little kids you can take them to COSI, but since you are a MMA fan I am assuming you haven't procreated yet.