While Matt Serra prepares to fight Georges St. Pierre for the UFC welterweight title in February, former nine-time champion and division stalwart, Matt Hughes, is getting ready to guest referee the “Shut Up and Fight” card in Canada.

It’s crazy how things can change so fast in the world of mixed martial arts.

On the surface, the reversal of fortunes is something out of a Hollywood studio … Trading Places, anyone?

That’s hardly the case.

“The Terror” earned his title shot thanks to The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 4 set up, which guaranteed the winner a showdown with the current 170-pound champ, $100,000 in prize money, and a $100,000 sponsorship deal.

We think he got a watch, too. But, who can keep track.

Here’s a snip from Serra in a recent Newsday article:

“I like Georges a lot. That’s why I was hoping to fight Matt Hughes because I don’t like him as much. I’m looking forward to having a really exciting match with Georges.”

As for Hughes, there was no rematch clause in his contract, according to Dana White at the post-UFC 65 press conference. Rest assured, however, that once the UFC honors its commitment to Serra, we’ll see the third and final installment of Hughes-St. Pierre.

God willing.

In the meantime, the referee gig is just another avenue for Hughes to make some extra scratch and get back out on the promotion path until part three.

Here’s a snip from The Morning Star:

“He [Hughes] usually charges $15,000 for every 48-hour period, but because we are affliated with Militech Fighting Systems (Hillsboro, Ill.), we get him for $8,000. Matt is [also] going to put on a four-hour seminar on the Saturday for $125 a person.”

Good to see the former champion hasn’t retreated to his farm indefinitely and that he will be out on the mixed martial arts scene so quickly after the loss to “Rush.”

The only thing that could delay his grudge match would be a Serra victory over St. Pierre at UFC 67.

Is that even possible?

It ain’t cool being no jive turkey so close to Thanksgiving.