Dewey's Diva
05-27-2006, 01:36 PM
http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/5631900
St. Pierre ready for another shot at Hughes
Dave Doyle / FOXSports.com
Posted: 14 hours ago
The big Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title fight for 2006 was supposed to be the long-awaited rematch between Matt Hughes and B.J. Penn.
But Montreal's Georges St. Pierre got in the way.
Penn defeated Hughes for the belt via first-round choke in 2004, handing Hughes his only defeat since 2000. The newly-crowned champion then left UFC in a contract dispute. When Penn finally returned this spring after resolving his differences with the company, a rematch with Hughes seemed natural.
But the Hilo, HI native instead chose to take on young hotshot St. Pierre in his return fight at UFC 58 in March at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
The gamble backfired. In a memorable, hard-fought battle, St. Pierre took a split decision, with Penn convincingly winning the first round by bloodying his opponent and St. Pierre rebounding strong to take the last two.
"I didn't fight my fight in the first round," said St. Pierre, who was accidentally poked in the eye in the opening five-minute frame. "But then I got myself together. I knew I wasn't that hurt and I just relaxed and got back to my game plan."
With the win, St. Pierre forced his way to the front of the line, ahead of Penn. So Hughes' next title defense will be against St. Pierre in September, date and site to be determined.
This will mark St. Pierre's second crack at the gold. After making an impression with swift wins over Karo Parysian and Jay Hieron in his first two UFC fights, the then-23-year old St. Pierre was thrown into a match with Hughes for the vacant title at UFC 48 and lost by submission with one second remaining in the first round. That remains the remains his only professional loss.
"I wasn't ready at the time," said St. Pierre. "When UFC tells you you are getting an chance at the belt, you don't tell them no. The first time I fought Hughes was a learning experience, but now, I am a better fighter and I am confident I can take the title."
Since the loss, St. Pierre worked his way back into the title picture by has taking out one opponent after another, with the caliber of competition increasing with each fight. Jason Miller went down by decision. Frank Trigg submitted to a choke. Sean Sherk was TKO'd on strikes. Then the St. Pierre put on a show against Penn, who came to the ring with the welterweight belt he never gave back.
Hughes watched the St. Pierre-Penn fight from the front row along with UFC president Dana White, and he isn't afraid to admit he was rooting for a different outcome.
"I've been wanting to get another crack at B.J.," said Hughes, whose Saturday fight with Royce Gracie is non-title. "I want another chance. He beat me and I want my rematch. I don't mean to disrespect Georges because he's a great fighter and it will be a good match, but Penn is the one I wanted to fight. Stylistically I think he makes for a better match-up."
There's too much money on the table for the Hughes-Penn rematch not to happen at some point. But if St. Pierre has his way, there won't be a title on the line whenever they finally get around to meeting.
"It's my time," said St. Pierre. "Bring it on."
St. Pierre ready for another shot at Hughes
Dave Doyle / FOXSports.com
Posted: 14 hours ago
The big Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title fight for 2006 was supposed to be the long-awaited rematch between Matt Hughes and B.J. Penn.
But Montreal's Georges St. Pierre got in the way.
Penn defeated Hughes for the belt via first-round choke in 2004, handing Hughes his only defeat since 2000. The newly-crowned champion then left UFC in a contract dispute. When Penn finally returned this spring after resolving his differences with the company, a rematch with Hughes seemed natural.
But the Hilo, HI native instead chose to take on young hotshot St. Pierre in his return fight at UFC 58 in March at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
The gamble backfired. In a memorable, hard-fought battle, St. Pierre took a split decision, with Penn convincingly winning the first round by bloodying his opponent and St. Pierre rebounding strong to take the last two.
"I didn't fight my fight in the first round," said St. Pierre, who was accidentally poked in the eye in the opening five-minute frame. "But then I got myself together. I knew I wasn't that hurt and I just relaxed and got back to my game plan."
With the win, St. Pierre forced his way to the front of the line, ahead of Penn. So Hughes' next title defense will be against St. Pierre in September, date and site to be determined.
This will mark St. Pierre's second crack at the gold. After making an impression with swift wins over Karo Parysian and Jay Hieron in his first two UFC fights, the then-23-year old St. Pierre was thrown into a match with Hughes for the vacant title at UFC 48 and lost by submission with one second remaining in the first round. That remains the remains his only professional loss.
"I wasn't ready at the time," said St. Pierre. "When UFC tells you you are getting an chance at the belt, you don't tell them no. The first time I fought Hughes was a learning experience, but now, I am a better fighter and I am confident I can take the title."
Since the loss, St. Pierre worked his way back into the title picture by has taking out one opponent after another, with the caliber of competition increasing with each fight. Jason Miller went down by decision. Frank Trigg submitted to a choke. Sean Sherk was TKO'd on strikes. Then the St. Pierre put on a show against Penn, who came to the ring with the welterweight belt he never gave back.
Hughes watched the St. Pierre-Penn fight from the front row along with UFC president Dana White, and he isn't afraid to admit he was rooting for a different outcome.
"I've been wanting to get another crack at B.J.," said Hughes, whose Saturday fight with Royce Gracie is non-title. "I want another chance. He beat me and I want my rematch. I don't mean to disrespect Georges because he's a great fighter and it will be a good match, but Penn is the one I wanted to fight. Stylistically I think he makes for a better match-up."
There's too much money on the table for the Hughes-Penn rematch not to happen at some point. But if St. Pierre has his way, there won't be a title on the line whenever they finally get around to meeting.
"It's my time," said St. Pierre. "Bring it on."