Former welterweight champion Matt Hughes:

And former welterweight champion Georges “Rush” St. Pierre:

(Thanks to MMAonTap.com for the assist.)

December 26th, 2007    

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26 Comments »

Comment by Shad-Fu
2007-12-26 23:09:39

i just dont see how matt can win…

of course i couldnt see how the other matt could win either.

 
Comment by pUniSHment
2007-12-26 23:16:42

With all the upsets this year, I would not be surprised to see Matt win. I’m not saying that I think GSP will lose, but I wouldn’t be shocked. This has been a crazy year in the UFC.

 
Comment by pUniSHment
2007-12-26 23:20:57

I haven’t been looking forward to an event like this since UFC 73 and the TUF 5 Finale. I hope the fight card lives up to it’s hype.

 
Comment by pUniSHment
2007-12-26 23:22:31

[quote comment=”245967″]I haven’t been looking forward to an event like this since UFC 73 and the TUF 5 Finale. I hope the fight card lives up to it’s hype.[/quote]

I meant UFC 71 between Chuck and Rampage.

 
Comment by The Anomaly
2007-12-26 23:29:42

Man oh man, in my mind it is tougher to call then most are making it out to be. Slight edge to GSP, GSP’s got stand up and clinch, but Hughes has the ground work IMO.

 
Comment by Chris
2007-12-26 23:31:41

GSP is way to explosive for Hughes now a days, Hughes is a tremendous fighter and will be in regards as one of the best ever hands down, but its time to pass to Torch to RUSH. He will dominate Hughes again and then go on to avenge the loss to that loud mouth piece of crap Serra. Yes yes serra beat GSP, we all know it. GSP is young and didnt train like he should have for his first title defence. He knows what he has to do now, He wont underestimate anyone anymore. Its going to be a long reign of dominance after GSP reclaims the belt. Fitch, Diego, Kos, Serra, Hughes, Kayro, Bj overratted Penn, wont touch GSP

 
Comment by c-war
2007-12-26 23:48:04

I think Hughes knows what GSP is capable of, and will be very well prepared for this fight. Hughes isn’t stupid, and knows how to win. I think he will pull off the win.

 
Comment by chuck
2007-12-26 23:59:49

The only thing Matt is capable of is going to the hospital imo

 
Comment by NewGuyTheGunMan
2007-12-27 00:06:19

I dont know anymore… Ill go for Matt

 
Comment by Gord
2007-12-27 00:17:41

I’v done this before myself, it called wishfull thinking, but deep down you know GSP ownes Hughes. Go ahead and admit it to yourself, it easier to handle the defeat ,when Matt loses.

 
Comment by Freddy101
2007-12-27 01:46:44

If hughes doesn’t play into gsp and plays boring wrestler boy he can lay on top long enough for a cheap win.

 
Comment by Shadyone33
2007-12-27 04:58:23

I think GSP wins the fight for all the same reasons that have been mentioned in numerous posts.

I like the videos though. I thought that Hughes was pretty funny when he was talking about Serra. I liked the line where he mentions that he doesn’t get to fight the guy that he wants to beat up for running his mouth real bad.

I think Hughes was very reserved in the interview too. I don’t want to read into it, but he talks as though he’s not going to win, he doesn’t mention beating St. Pierre and fighting Serra next, he talks about fighting him down the road. I think this fight will be very explosive and I can’t wait.

 
Comment by Da Monkey
2007-12-27 07:11:21

I was actually so amazed about how much respect Matt Hughes gave GSP. He trashed talked him so much the second fight, I did not expect the amount of respect he gave this time around. I guess even Matt Hughes can eat a big slice of Humble Pie and hold it down. As a fan who does not particually like Hughes I would say this interview helped his image out big time…

All that respect stuff aside…I like GSP to win in the 4rd round via strikes…I think he has way to many tools and exudes way to much confidence to loose to Hughes…

 
Comment by PhilQNY
2007-12-27 07:57:58

The only way Hughes can win is if he hurts GSP..he has to give him something to respect..I don’t think Hughes has it. Standing with GSP he might as well retire now..whoever gets the top position on the ground will most likey win.

 
Comment by True Believer
2007-12-27 09:00:42

There is no question that Hughes and GSP are the best in the ww division, and it is great that they are fighting one another. My sense from the Hughes interview is that he is taking a very different approach to this fight than the last. He clearly respects GSP, and I think he now understands that the only way he can win is if this fight goes to the ground.
In the second fight, Hughes clearly tried to stand and strike with GSP. As a result of that choice, GSP was able to get comfortable and find his range because he too sensed that Hughes wanted to stand with him. In this fight, I think GSP knows that Hughes will want to get this fight to the ground, which in and of itself will somewhat neutralize GSP’s striking ability. It is much easier to find your range when you are not worried about being taken down.
The bottom line is that, Hughes cannot win this fight if it stays standing, and it is not likely that GSP will win it if it goes to the ground. GSP has much better takedown defense than Hughes has striking ability, so this gives him an edge.
I think Hughes either wins by submission in round 4 or 5. Or Hughes wins by decision in an exciting and technical fight where Hughes keeps taking him down and GSP keeps trying to stand.

 
Comment by NEWFIE-MMA-FAN
2007-12-27 09:07:46

this is desperation fight for hughes…he turned down the rematch after GSP smoked him in #2, and now he took this fight cause he knew he would need to fight GSP at least once more, and he would rathar get smoked in Las Vegas then in Canada.

the UFC should have its first ever handicapped match, and GSP take on hughes and serra at the same time to get those two clowns out of the title picture, then GSP can work on beating the real fighters in the division.

 
Comment by ViolentMike
2007-12-27 10:03:50

[quote post=”4325″]There is no question that Hughes and GSP are the best in the ww division, and it is great that they are fighting one another. My sense from the Hughes interview is that he is taking a very different approach to this fight than the last. He clearly respects GSP, and I think he now understands that the only way he can win is if this fight goes to the ground.
In the second fight, Hughes clearly tried to stand and strike with GSP. As a result of that choice, GSP was able to get comfortable and find his range because he too sensed that Hughes wanted to stand with him. In this fight, I think GSP knows that Hughes will want to get this fight to the ground, which in and of itself will somewhat neutralize GSP’s striking ability. It is much easier to find your range when you are not worried about being taken down.
The bottom line is that, Hughes cannot win this fight if it stays standing, and it is not likely that GSP will win it if it goes to the ground. GSP has much better takedown defense than Hughes has striking ability, so this gives him an edge.
I think Hughes either wins by submission in round 4 or 5. Or Hughes wins by decision in an exciting and technical fight where Hughes keeps taking him down and GSP keeps trying to stand. [/quote]

True Believer, excellent post. I agree with everything you said, except for your prediction. You have Hughes winning by late submission or by decision. I have GSP winning by TKO/KO 80% of the time, Hughes winning by GnP 7%, Hughes by submission 8%, and Hughes by decision 5%.

Hughes will want to take the fight to the ground - of course, or at least he better have learned from their last fight. Most people think that GSP will want to keep the fight standing. However, that is what most thought GSP would do against the other great WW wrestler who had bad standup, Josh Koscheck. GSP actualy did the exact opposite. He put the wrestler where he is most uncomfortable - on his back. Don’t be surprised to see GSP trying to take Matt Hughes down.

I really liked this statement made by True Believer, “GSP has much better takedown defense than Hughes has striking ability, so this gives him an edge.”

 
Comment by john
2007-12-27 10:20:30

I will Guarentee that GSP will finish Hughes!

I watched countdown to UFC 79 last night and man even Joe Rogan said Hughes was a D*ck….I was laughing my ass of, for laughing and being happy GSP got Ko’ed by Serra………….Hughes is a clown.

 
Comment by jdawg
2007-12-27 11:15:26

[quote comment=”246393″]I will Guarentee that GSP will finish Hughes!

I watched countdown to UFC 79 last night and man even Joe Rogan said Hughes was a D*ck….I was laughing my ass of, for laughing and being happy GSP got Ko’ed by Serra………….Hughes is a clown.[/quote]
maybe he was enjoying the fight.but i was laughing when serra koed gsp.and look forward to huhes beating him too.so sick of hearing about gsp.the only good things from canada is crown royal and jim carrie.oh and pam anderson.

 
Comment by jdawg
2007-12-27 11:23:13

[quote comment=”246441″][quote comment=”246393″]I will Guarentee that GSP will finish Hughes!

I watched countdown to UFC 79 last night and man even Joe Rogan said Hughes was a D*ck….I was laughing my ass of, for laughing and being happy GSP got Ko’ed by Serra………….Hughes is a clown.[/quote]
maybe he was enjoying the fight.but i was laughing when serra koed gsp.and look forward to huhes beating him too.so sick of hearing about gsp.the only good things from canada is crown royal and jim carrie.oh and pam anderson.[/quote]
for all you canadians this is a joke!!

 
Comment by papa8985
2007-12-27 13:22:49

[quote comment=”246453″][quote comment=”246441″][quote comment=”246393″]I will Guarentee that GSP will finish Hughes!

I watched countdown to UFC 79 last night and man even Joe Rogan said Hughes was a D*ck….I was laughing my ass of, for laughing and being happy GSP got Ko’ed by Serra………….Hughes is a clown.[/quote]
maybe he was enjoying the fight.but i was laughing when serra koed gsp.and look forward to huhes beating him too.so sick of hearing about gsp.the only good things from canada is crown royal and jim carrie.oh and pam anderson.[/quote]
for all you canadians this is a joke!![/quote]

Pam Anderson is Canadian? Wow, you learn something new everyday.

 
Comment by Ktown
2007-12-27 14:49:26

GSP same as last time but hughes will not be smiling after every hit. I hope hughes can put away his ego long enough to actually fight. If not he will hit the canvas with that stupid grin like it didn’t hurt. And get smashed into la la land.

 
Comment by nathan
2007-12-28 03:47:01

Jdawg your a human turd.

 
Comment by Ruth Winner
2007-12-28 13:27:10

The second fight GSP CONFUSED matt by attacking with all 8 weapons of the body, faking, and pinpoint striking to any part of matts body at will. This then ANGERED matt and in desperation attempted a takedown that was well defended by GSP. 3/4 of the first round GSP has already broken down Matt’s mental game opening him up for the last superman punch that ended the round putting the FEAR in matt.

Confusing your enemy,creates angry, which eventually leads to fear. This is how George St Pierre Fights

 
Comment by Ruth Winner
2007-12-28 13:31:38

Predictions Winners
GSP by choke hold(triangle, rear naked, the good old anaconda choke)
Silva by stoppage TKo
sokoudjou Ko

 
Comment by LOU
2007-12-28 14:15:55

I THINK IT’S ALL BEEN A FIX TO PROMOTE BETTER PPV SALES. IT’S NO DOUBT THAT THE UFC IS BECOMING ONE OF THE LARGEST MONEY MAKING EVENTS. I WOULDN’T BE SURPRISED IF THE FIGHT WITH GSP AND SERRA WAS FIXED, THEN HAVE THE TWO MATTS COACH THE TV SHOW WITH A FIGHT BETWEEN THE TWO MATTS AT THE END OF THE SHOW. THEN HAVE SERRA PULL OUT DUE TO AN INJURY,PUT HUGHES AND GSP ON THE CARD TO FIGHT FOR A TITLE SHOT AND TO BOOST SALES. THIS WILL BE A MUCH MORE EXCITING FIGHT AND WILL SELL ALOT MORE PPV THEN IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ANYONE AGAINST SERRA. SERRA MIGHT BE THE WW CHAMP, BUT HE DOESN’T SELL PPV AND TICKETS. HE DOESN’T HAVE THE REPUTATION THAT OTHER GREAT FIGHTERS DO.

 
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