UFC Fighters Hit the Felt on Poker After Dark

Randy Couture and a friend discuss the best way to play suited connectors. (photo courtesy of MMA Junkie)

Poker After Dark is getting a lot more buff this week. And no, that doesn’t mean Tom Dwan has been hitting the juice. A couple of the biggest, meanest names in mixed martial arts are trading in the mat for the felt for the next few days.

All this week, UFC vets Randy Couture and Dan Henderson will mix it up with some big name pros on the late night poker show. They’ll be joined by Bruce Buffer, the UFC’s esteemed announcer, and a pretty good poker player himself. Also on hand will be Patrik Antonius, Howard Lederer and Erick Lindgren

Besides doing everything he can not to antagonize Henderson or Couture, Lederer will be looking for his fourth win on Poker After Dark. That would tie the record currently held by Johnny Chan. Antonius has one victory on the show so far, while Lindgren hasn’t turned any of his six appearances into a victory.

Episodes run on NBC this week, at 2:05 am every night through Friday. The Director’s Cut (which includes highlights from the whole week) will show on Saturday night, after Saturday Night Live.