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Matt Hughes’ UFC Legacy: His Early Fights Hooked Me and Many on MMA

The UFC era following shortly after the tournament era faded was a tumultuous and unstable time with many on the outside trying to ensure the failure of the promotion. The UFC was holding on for dear life and needed fighters and names to at l…

In the pre-TUF era between 1999 and 2005, Matt Hughes was that name, and the most dominant champion the UFC had ever seen. Fans were still getting used to the different weight classes and different champions from each weight, and Hughes was knocking them all down at 170 pounds.

In the dark days of the UFC, when they kicked and clawed to stay alive, Hughes sticks out front and center in my mind as someone who kept me and many coming back form more.

When I reflect on watching his great career, two fights of his really hooked me completely on the sport and the skill and determination it takes to step inside the Octagon.

Matt Hughes vs Carlos Newton I – UFC 34 November 2, 2001

I always tuned in to Hughes’ fights at the time, and this one in particular because it was for the title, and against one of my country’s best in Carlos The Ronin Newton. Newton had shocked many earlier that year when he choked out Hughes’ teacher and heavily favored, Pat Miletich, for the win and the title.

Hughes was evenly matched in the early going of the fight and got caught in a very bad spot early in the second round. Newton got Hughes in a triangle choke near the cage and things looked bleak for the challenger.

This was where that real rush of the early UFC was born as Hughes picked up Newton as a last resort and slammed him hard down on the canvas, knocking Newton out in the process and taking the victory. The fans went wild.

The referee called the bout over, and after Newton went out and let go of his hold, Hughes also slithered to the ground, seemingly out from the choke. It was an incredible, movie-like finish to a title fight. Both fighters out, but Newton being called out the second before.

I was personally disappointed for the Canadian Newton, but was in awe of the heart and power of the new champion Hughes. With title fights like this, the division thing could be ok after all.

Matt Hughes vs Frank Trigg II – UFC 52 April 15, 2005

Matt Hughes had just returned to being the champion a few months earlier and was defending it for the first time against flamboyant wrestler and former foe Frank Trigg when his next big moment came, and again made me in awe of the sport.

This fight with the loud and lippy Trigg (let’s say he was that era’s Chael Sonnen in a way) was epic and remains my favorite fight in UFC history to this day.

The trash talk and hype was enormous coming into this one, and Hughes was hit early by an undetected low blow by Trigg. Trigg pounced on the hurt champion and fed him some punches to the head before the two went to the ground. The challenger quickly took the dazed Hughes’ back and the end seemed all but there for Hughes in this one.

After struggling in the position for nearly two minutes, Hughes was able to reverse position, pick up Trigg and carry him across the cage on his shoulder before slamming him down with the fury and force of a madman hell bent on revenge. He then did some ground and pound of his own before securing his own rear naked choke for the win. It was the greatest win the UFC had seen to date and an incredible come back from Hughes.

This fight was a week after the Ultimate Fighter One finale, and the lights would turn on bright for the sport for years to come.

Hughes would go on to defeat BJ Penn and Georges St-Pierre but in my opinion, these were his two greatest moments and he hooked me on the UFC forever.

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA and guest blogger for Sportsnet.ca.

Catch him on Facebook and Twitter @wakafightermma

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC Title Shot Controversy: BJ Penn Says It Best in "Why I Fight"

With Chael Sonnen getting his light heavyweight shot at the champ Jon Jones following the season of TUF 17, there is fury and rage over the proper path and etiquette towards getting a shot at UFC gold.We all know the story with Sonnen, his&nb…

We all know the story with Sonnen, his losses and words, but nailing down who should and shouldn’t get a shot is never an exact science.

There are some that think that a shot at the UFC title has never been earned on merit—the proof is in men like Randy Couture and Urijah Faber getting ill-timed shots in the past. There are those on the other side that say that the UFC has always held high the legitimacy and path to the title.

Should title shots be given only after a long and grueling climb to contender? Should they be given based on name and money value?

Should it always be a mix of both when the UFC puts title shots together, and have they crossed the line in parachuting Sonnen in as Jones’ next foe? Dan Henderson says hell yes. So does Daniel Cormier.

I think aging veteran BJ Penn nails it on this topic in his book “Why I Fight” (pg 253).

While a fighter has to be talented and successful to earn the opportunities he gets, the UFC’s match-making is not based on rankings, statistics, or who deserves a title shot. It’s based on how much money a match will generate for the UFC. Nothing more, and nothing less.

Who fights who is based on whether they can market the fight to a large audience, and generate cash flow, not on who really deserves a specific opportunity. I have no idea if I was the best fighter in the world when I entered the UFC. It is their company and they can do with it what they want, but let’s not act like there’s some sort of merit system in place which allows fighters to get to the top like there is in all of the other major sports.

The bottom line is there is no independent ranking system which clarifies who is the best and which fighters have earned the opportunity to fight the top guys. It should not be about your looks, what language you speak, where you live, the colour of your skin, your personality or any of those things. It should be about your abilities inside the cage.

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA and guest blogger for Sportsnet.ca.

Catch him on Facebook and Twitter @wakafightermma

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC on FOX 5: Will B.J. Penn Regret Coming out of Retirement to Face MacDonald?

After suffering a beating at the hands of Nick Diaz in October, 2011, B.J. Penn announced his retirement from the sport of MMA. Now here we are in October, 2012, and it’s back to business as usual for “The Prodigy,” who is preparing for his next b…

After suffering a beating at the hands of Nick Diaz in October, 2011, B.J. Penn announced his retirement from the sport of MMA.

Now here we are in October, 2012, and it’s back to business as usual for “The Prodigy,” who is preparing for his next bout, set for the UFC on FOX 5 card this December. Penn will be taking on rising star Rory MacDonald in what has become something of a grudge match.

Though it’s hardly unprecedented for an athlete to renege on stated intentions of walking away from competition, the reversal of course invariably incites questions about the sagacity of the decision.

Looking at Penn and his decision to return to the Octagon for another kick at the can, we can’t help but ask ourselves, is it the right decision, or will he end up regretting his comeback attempt?

When it comes down to it, only Penn can provide a precise answer to the question. With factors like personal motivation, monetary gain and post-career situation unbeknownst to anyone other than himself, all the rest of us can do is look at the more transparent elements of the equation and make an educated guess.

We outsiders can also evaluate the effect of the return, not on a personal level, but on a professional one—how has Penn’s legacy been affected, did he show he is still a contender, what was the outcome of the match.

Though they may not paint the whole picture, these more accessible, more measurable components of Penn’s return can lead us to certain conclusions. Conclusions probably not so different than those Penn himself will arrive upon.

So, with that in mind, let’s revisit the question—is Penn’s decision to return a smart one, or will he regret it?

When we consider the matchup he’s drawn, Penn’s outlook is pretty bleak. While Penn has rarely been outclassed in his career, he has been often outmuscled—especially as a welterweight—and he happens to be fighting one of the division’s biggest, strongest competitors.

When we add MacDonald’s penchant for putting opponents on their backs and beating them up, as well as his ability to manhandle lighter men from the clinch, it all spells out a very long night for Penn.

Sure, Penn could conceivably pull off the upset, but it seems more likely that he will receive the kind of thrashing that sent him scurrying off into retirement.

So, if that probable result factors into his own assessment of the decision to reprise his role as UFC fighter, than it is looking very much like Penn would have been better off passing up the opportunity.

Still, there is that compulsion to compete that many high-level athletes can only sate by staying active. The money will probably be nice too.

But Penn shouldn’t expect an easy route back. In fact, he shouldn’t expect a route back at all. UFC on FOX 5 might very well signify his second retirement, and this time the bitter taste of exiting the sport on a losing note will only have multiplied.

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Kenny Florian: Why a Return to Fighting Would Be a Mistake

When Kenny Florian retired earlier this year, many fans were sad to see the UFC vet leave. Although Florian made the decision to leave the sport just a few days after his 36th birthday, the main cause of his retirement were injuries. No one l…

When Kenny Florian retired earlier this year, many fans were sad to see the UFC vet leave.

Although Florian made the decision to leave the sport just a few days after his 36th birthday, the main cause of his retirement were injuries.

No one likes to see someone go out against their will. Especially someone with as much talent as Florian.

Recently, Florian told MMAJunkie radio that he was recovering very well and was hoping to get back to training.

When asked if he would be open to return to fighting, Florian said he remained undecided on if he would come back but never say never.

Although many fans may love to see him come back so he can go out on his own terms, it may be a better idea to stay retired.

For one, Florian’s recurring injuries could lead to something more permanent if he continues to fight.

Florian could not even train properly because of his back injury, and not training properly could lead to hurting himself even more.

Florian also has nothing else to prove in the sport.

In Florian’s nine-year MMA career, he has defeated many fighters in multiple weight classes including Clay Guida, Diego Nunes, and Takanori Gomi.

Although Florian has finished many good fighters in his career, he may be known more for his losses than his wins.

While some fighters hope to just reach one title fight, Florian fought in three, losing to Sean Sherk, BJ Penn, and, most recently, Jose Aldo at featherweight.

Although a UFC title has eluded Florian, considering he is 36 and has a great career as a commentator ahead of him, Florian should stick to enjoying the retired life.

If he can get healthy and back in shape, the temptation to come back will be there.

But it may be best if he plays it safe and stays away from competing in the sport.

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Vitor Belfort and 5 More Unlikely UFC Title Challengers

UFC 152 puts Vitor Belfort back in a title fight for the first time since being front kicked in the face by Anderson Silva. The middleweight contender will challenge for the light heavyweight gold due to contenders turning down fights and a string of i…

When Dan Henderson pulled out of UFC 151, Belfort’s name did not come up in the discussion of replacements. When the event was canceled, it was just assumed Lyoto Machida would then accept the fight against Jon Jones. That did not happen.

Now, Belfort takes advantage of an unlikely opportunity in Toronto.

Over the course of UFC history, there have been several other unlikely title challengers.

Here are five other unlikely title contenders that have challenged for UFC gold.

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The 10 Most Compelling Main Events in UFC History

What makes a the main event of a Pay-Per-View so special? Is it big name fighters going toe-to-toe? Is it a championship bout in which one fighter can prove that he is the best on the planet? Maybe even a stylistic matchup that promises to be a gun-sli…

In any situation, the selection of a main event can make or break any PPV. You need the perfect blend of star-power, potential for action and opponents who are both relevant and cared about.

A well planned main event will light up the message boards with commentary, predictions and more regarding every aspect of the hotly anticipated affair.

Here is a look at the 10 most compelling main events in UFC history.

Editor’s Note: Any fight that was a main event during the tournament-friendly days of the UFC was not considered. The reason for this is that the main event was not determined until some point within the card, and therefore not promotable.

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