WILLITS, Calif. – Sherwood Valley Casino, the UFC and Joe Hand Promotions Inc. announced the Willits casino has signed a multi-fight pay-per-view deal to show the broadcast UFC fights in the casino during the entirety of 2020.

To celebrate one of the biggest Northern California entertainment deals and to kick off the inaugural event, the casino also announced that former two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion of the World Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia will join the casino’s fight fans to host the first pay per view show, UFC 246.

The televised main event of UFC 246 will offer a much-anticipated showdown featuring the colorful former unified featherweight and lightweight champion “The Notorious” Connor McGregor against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in an exciting welterweight matchup.

All of the MMA action, including the fights leading up to the main event will be broadcast throughout the casino and for free to Sherwood Valley Casino guests and players in attendance.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for the preliminary fights on Saturday, Jan. 18, and the main event is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

General admission to the meet and greet with the former champ is free with a Player’s Club card. There will be food and beverage specials at the Creekside Café as well as special cash drawings throughout the night.

As an added bonus, and for the first time ever in the Mendocino County area, Sherwood Valley Casino’s Players Club members will have the opportunity to meet and get a free picture and autograph with Tim Sylvia.

In addition, players who earn 100 points that evening will qualify to be entered into a drawing to win an authentic replica UFC championship belt autographed by Sylvia at the end of the fights.

Renowned for his size and striking ability, Sylvia had been consistently ranked as one of the top three fighters in the UFC Heavyweight division and went on to capture the belt two times. He was narrowly defeated by Randy Couture for a record third attempt.

Had the judges scored the bought his way he would have held the record in the UFC for recapturing a title belt three times. He went on to fight for other promotions including ONE Fighting Championships, ProElite and Affliction where he faced Russian Fedor Emelianenko.

"There is nothing like watching your favorite fighters battle it out on the big screen at your favorite “locals place to play,” said Michael J. Broderick, Sherwood Valley Casino’s general manager, "but it’s not just about the viewing; it’s about getting to meet a UFC champion in person and having an unforgettable experience. We are very happy to bring this event to the area for our valued customers and are grateful that the former champ will take time out to visit us and his fans way up here."