The California-based Strikeforce Fighting Championships decided to skip the casinos, bypass the arenas, and brush aside the stadiums.

Instead, the longtime kickboxing promotion and upstart mixed-martial-arts organization will host its Sept. 29 MMA event at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The invitation-only event will treat approximately 700 hardcore MMA enthusiasts and celebrity guests to

10 to 12 fights, as well as a poker tournament, top-shelf open bar, buffet-style gourmet dinner, photo opportunities with Playboy Playmates, and a wine-tasting party.

"Strikeforce has been around a very long time, and we've made a lot of connections in the (entertainment) industry," said Mike Afromowitz, Strikeforce's marketing and media relations director. "We knew it would be a great opportunity to expand our audience. We have guests flying in from all over the country."

Although a trip to Hugh Hefner's palatial estate is a treat in of itself, event attendees will also see some of the world's top fighters.

"El Nino" Gilbert Melendez, a top-ranked 155-pound fighter and Strikeforce world lightweight champion, will likely headline the event. Former UFC and PRIDE Fighting Championships fighter Josh "The Punk" Thomson and "The Ultimate Fighter" cast member Bobby Southworth also plan to participate.

Strikeforce officials are finalizing a broadcast deal that will show the taped event all over the U.S., as well in 50 countries on three continents.

"Everyone should rest assured they'll be able to see the event on TV and DVD, just like all our other events," Afromowitz said. "We'll announce the details soon."

Gracie skips appeal

UFC hall-of-famer and MMA icon Royce Gracie officially closed the book on a sad and perhaps final chapter of his fighting career.

The Brazilian jiu-jistu expert rose to fame in the early years of the UFC, submitting opponents who sometimes outweighed him by more than a hundred pounds.

In June, the 40-year-old returned from a one-year absence to score an uninspiring unanimous-decision victory over Kazushi Sakuraba at a

K-1/EliteXC joint "Dynamite!! USA" event in Los Angeles.

Afterward, the California State Athletic Commission announced Gracie had tested positive for the anabolic steroid Nandrolone, 25 times higher than what is considered normal.

He was fined $2,500 and suspended approximately one year. He had until Aug. 2 to appeal the decision.

Instead, Gracie – who had made at least $700,000 in his previous two fights – said he didn't want to spend the money to hire a lawyer and would simply accept the punishment.