(Big Dog is planning to eat Matt Hughes‘ country breakfast August 7.)
According to an MMA Weekly report, a bout between former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes and Renzo Gracie disciple, Ricardo Almeida is in the works for UFC 117, August 7 in Oakland, CA.
Almeida will be looking bring a “W” and honor back to the Gracie academy while seeking revenge for Renzo and his other UFC-employed black belt, Matt Serra – both of whom were defeated by Hughes in the past year. Serra shared “Fight of the Night” honors in a unanimous decision loss with Hughes at UFC 98, while the aging Gracie was crippled with leg kicks by the Hillsborough, IL native who eventually pulled the trigger on a TKO victory in the third and final frame of their fight at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi, UAE earlier this month. Hughes also holds a win over Renzo’s cousin, UFC legend Royce Gracie.
Defeating Matt Brown decisively in his first fight as a welterweight this past March, Almeida proved that he made the right choice to drop down to compete in the 170-pound class. Following his longtime mentor’s loss in the UAE, "Big Dog" made no secret of his desire to square off with Hughes and it sounds as though he will get his opportunity to do just that in August.
Unnamed sources close to the situation told Damon Martin that negotiations are ongoing, and that although no bout agreements have been legitimized, both fighters have verbally agreed to the fight.
Cagepotato Comments
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commentsI have always said Matt needs to take up, at least partially, training somewhere outside of HitSquad to gain a fresh perspective. That has always been met with, by his friends ect, with harsh criticism. He is fiercely loyal to his friends, the UFC and his family and if he can't win with them in his corner, it seems to me he'd rather not win at all. I respect that a lot and it does force the question, is winning more important then ones honor? To some, like Hughes, it is not.
Pumpkin Escobar ftw!
Miletich >> Spamfrock on the Microphone
Edith was the shit- they prolly fired her cause every time she got up to do a round it made their broadcast go NC-17.
Has Matt Hughes ever headlined a card from the Corn Palace?
"chick with a dick" - hey now, don't dillute the conversation by bringing up the slightly more female Cyborg Santos! I got the hots for an Adam's apple girl.
A couple of years ago, I'd have agreed with you about Hughes not ducking tough fights. I think, at this point, in his fights with GSP and Alves, he realized that his super powers have been surpassed by these 'young tough guys' AND also that his super powers are not what they used to be. I think that feeling of invincibility he had broke in him. He feels mortal now and he only wants fights he can win.
Coffee table psychoanalysis complete.
Like him or not, this shiz about Hughes asking to fight "old guys" is absolute bullshit.
hughes, i'm sorry to say, needs to hang 'em up and go the way of pat miletich, which is to say not fighting anybody anymore for any reason. if he wants to keep a hand in, then he can get involved in training, coaching, or backstage bible studies at events, but it's time for him to step out of the octagon.
He looks like a white.
I guess I'd have to bet on the beaner.
Hughes seems like he's been slacking on his power recently.
Only time and three rounds with Almeida will tell. ( If it lasts three rounds)
its sure to enthrall my white power brothers.
I'll be interested in the results.
(after a fashion)