Dewey's Diva
07-20-2006, 12:27 PM
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sports/atoz/article_1214924.php
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
UFC returning to The Pond in September
Tickets go on sale Aug.12.
By CARLOS ARIAS
The Orange County Register
The UFC made its debut in California in front of nearly 18,000 on April 15 at Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.
UFC president Dana White promised to bring the UFC back to The Pond after the success of that event.
White kept his promise.
The UFC returns to The Pond on Sept.23. Matt Hughes, who is one of the top fighters pound-for-pound in mixed martial arts, will be featured in the main event. Tickets go on sale Aug.12.
Hughes, of Davenport, Iowa, defends his UFC welterweight title in a rematch against Canadian Georges St. Pierre.
Hughes (41-4) handed St. Pierre (12-1) his lone loss when they met Oct. 22, 2004, in UFC 50. The fight went back and forth before Hughes caught Pierre and forced him to tap out with one second left in the first round. Hughes regained the vacant UFC 170-pound title with the victory.
"I've been waiting for this fight against Matt Hughes for a long time," St. Pierre said. "This time, I am ready. I made a promise to the UFC that if they gave me another chance at the title I wouldn't make a mistake again. I want that belt so bad. I want to become the champion."
Hughes is confident he can retain his title.
"I hope he's ready," Hughes said. "No one else has been able to stop me, yet, and I don't see myself giving up my belt any time soon. I'm looking forward to a good fight, but at the end of the night I will be the UFC welterweight champion."
Hughes has made two successful title defenses and he TKO'd UFC Hall of Famer Royce Gracie in a nontitle bout since he faced St. Pierre in 2004. St. Pierre fought his way back into the world-title picture by defeating former Hughes conqueror B.J. Penn, Jason "Mayhem" Miller, Frank Trigg and Sean Sherk.
"UFC 63: Hughes vs. St. Pierre" will be shown live on pay-per-view.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
UFC returning to The Pond in September
Tickets go on sale Aug.12.
By CARLOS ARIAS
The Orange County Register
The UFC made its debut in California in front of nearly 18,000 on April 15 at Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.
UFC president Dana White promised to bring the UFC back to The Pond after the success of that event.
White kept his promise.
The UFC returns to The Pond on Sept.23. Matt Hughes, who is one of the top fighters pound-for-pound in mixed martial arts, will be featured in the main event. Tickets go on sale Aug.12.
Hughes, of Davenport, Iowa, defends his UFC welterweight title in a rematch against Canadian Georges St. Pierre.
Hughes (41-4) handed St. Pierre (12-1) his lone loss when they met Oct. 22, 2004, in UFC 50. The fight went back and forth before Hughes caught Pierre and forced him to tap out with one second left in the first round. Hughes regained the vacant UFC 170-pound title with the victory.
"I've been waiting for this fight against Matt Hughes for a long time," St. Pierre said. "This time, I am ready. I made a promise to the UFC that if they gave me another chance at the title I wouldn't make a mistake again. I want that belt so bad. I want to become the champion."
Hughes is confident he can retain his title.
"I hope he's ready," Hughes said. "No one else has been able to stop me, yet, and I don't see myself giving up my belt any time soon. I'm looking forward to a good fight, but at the end of the night I will be the UFC welterweight champion."
Hughes has made two successful title defenses and he TKO'd UFC Hall of Famer Royce Gracie in a nontitle bout since he faced St. Pierre in 2004. St. Pierre fought his way back into the world-title picture by defeating former Hughes conqueror B.J. Penn, Jason "Mayhem" Miller, Frank Trigg and Sean Sherk.
"UFC 63: Hughes vs. St. Pierre" will be shown live on pay-per-view.