With Big Ten Media Days set for July 28-30 in Chicago, Oregon’s calendar is pretty quiet until fall camp gets rolling. That has given a handful of Ducks a chance to get away before the push toward the 2026 season begins.
One of the more eye-catching trips came over the weekend of July 10-12, when Dante Moore made his way to Las Vegas for UFC 329. Moore posted the visit on his secondary Instagram account, @mooreofdante, and shared the trip on what appeared to be a private jet. He wasn’t alone, either - Oregon wide receivers Jack Ressler and Ryder Hayes were along for the ride.
The event itself drew plenty of attention. UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena brought in around 20,078 fans and featured the return of Conor McGregor against former UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway in a Welterweight main card bout. The crowd also included a long list of notable names, among them Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, comedian Vince Vaughn, actor Jared Leto, and Moore.
Moore’s Vegas stop was just the latest high-profile connection in a busy offseason. In June, he spent time practicing with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and also appeared on former NFL quarterback Cam Newton’s podcast, "4th&1." Moore has spoken openly before about his relationship with Newton, saying before Oregon’s blowout win against Texas Tech in the 2026 Orange Bowl that he reaches out often to Newton for advice.
Bear Alexander had the same idea as Moore when it came to spending time away from campus. The Oregon defensive lineman was also in Las Vegas for UFC 329, and he mixed that trip with work at the Sack Summit, a networking and training event for top college football pass rushers.
The event was hosted by NFL veterans Maxx Crosby, Cam Jordan, and Von Miller, and Alexander spent three days there working with other defensive players from around the country while also catching the fights at T-Mobile Arena.
Alexander and Moore have already crossed paths on something more meaningful than a weekend getaway. Alexander’s Kare Bear Foundation teamed up with Moore for a recent visit to Thurston Elementary School, along with Moore’s two football camps in Eugene and Portland.
So while Oregon waits for the real football work to ramp up, a couple of its biggest names are finding plenty of ways to stay busy - and, apparently, a few of the same vacation spots, too.
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