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Since the ancient days of gladiators, spectators
have enjoyed the thrill of betting on combative
sporting contests. Every moment of a fight seems
much more exciting when there is money riding on the
outcome. Today is no different, as a growing number
of people are betting on modern-day gladiatorial
contests - mixed martial arts events.
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Hughes-Penn II: Too Close to Call
LIVE FROM THE ARROWHEAD POND OF
ANAHEIM
The UFC announced that the time has come, and that the
two fighters will square off again with the welterweight
crown at stake at the Ultimate Fighting Championship
organization's UFC 63:
HUGHES vs. B.J. Penn taking place
live from the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim Saturday,
September 23, 2006.
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UFC fans all around the world have waited
for these incredible athletes to face each other, once
again, in the Octagon.
Matt Hughes (41-4) 5'9"/170 lbs., fighting out of Hillsboro,
Ill., is considered by many to be the greatest welterweight
champion in the history of the UFC. He started fighting in
1999, at UFC 22, and spent
two years climbing his way up the division. Finally, at UFC
34 (11/02/01) he won the UFC Welterweight Championship by
defeating Carlos Newton by KO. From there, he won five
consecutive fights, holding the title for three years before
losing it to BJ Penn at UFC 46 (1/31/04), succumbing to a
rear naked choke at 4:39 of the first round. Matt regained
the vacant welterweight crown at UFC 50 (10/22/04) by
stopping Georges St. Pierre with an arm bar at 4:59 of the
first round, and defended his title at UFC 52 (4/16/06)
against Frank Trigg, winning by a rear naked choke. He
fought Joe Riggs at UFC 56 (11/19/05) in a non-championship
bout and submitted him by Kimura at 3:28 of the first round.
Hughes then defeated Royce Gracie by TKO at UFC 60
(5/27/06).
Penn's career has been a storied one, beginning with his
winning of the jiu-jitsu Mundials (he was the first
non-Brazilian to do so) and his stirring UFC debut in 2001.
Thought to be unbeatable, Penn would lose his first title
shot to Jens Pulver, but his legend grew with the
upset win over Hughes in 2004, which came in his first fight
at 170 pounds. After a contract dispute caused him to
abandon the welterweight title, Penn stayed active and
finally made a return to the Octagon in March against St.
Pierre. Penn would lose a close split decision to the
Canadian, but for the pride of Hilo, Hawaii, it was a
wake-up call.
Complete UFC 63 Fight Card:
Heavyweight Match:
Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Mario Neto
(Preliminary Match)
Light Heavyweight Match:
Rashad Evans vs. Jason Lambert
Middleweight Match:
David Loiseau vs. Mike Swick
Welterweight Match:
Matt Hughes vs. B.J. Penn
(UFC Welterweight Title Match)
Lightweight Matches:
Joe Lauzon vs. Jens Pulver
Melvin Guillard vs. Gabe Ruediger
Danny Abaddi vs. Jorge Gurgel
(Preliminary Match)
Jason Dent vs. Roger Huerta
(Preliminary Match)
Tyson Griffin vs. David Lee
(Preliminary Match)
Event Name: UFC 63 - Hughes vs. Penn
Event Date: September 23, 2006
Event Venue: Arrowhead Pond Arena in
Anaheim, California
Quick-Match Results:
-Tyson Griffin def. David Lee via Submission (rear naked
choke) at 1:50 of Round 1.
-Jorge Gurgel def. Danny Abbadi via Split Decision after 3
Rounds.
-Eddie Sanchez def. Mario Neto via KO (punch) at 0:21 of
Round 2.
-Roger Huerta def. Jason Dent via Unanimous Decision after 3
Rounds.
-Joe Lauzon def. Jens Pulver via TKO (punch) at 0:48 of
Round 1.
-Rashad Evans def. Jason Lambert via KO (strikes) at 2:22 of
Round 2.
-Melvin Guillard def. Gabe Ruediger via KO (punch) at 1:01
of Round 2.
-Mike Swick def. David Loiseau via Unanimous Decision after
3 Rounds.
-Matt Hughes def. B.J. Penn via TKO (strikes) at 3:53 of
Round 3.
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The Ultimate Fighting
Championship is a test of pure gladiator fighting
skills. The fight occurs inside an octagon that is 32
feet across. The fighters are contained by a 5 foot
link fence. Most participants have martial arts
training in some discipline, however, this is by no
means a requirement. It has a no holds barred
philosophy although some rules have been added
recently.
Although there can be a
lot of blood, fights usually end with joint locks or
choke holds and it is generally the more skilled
opponent that wins. Size is an advantage, but skill in
ending the fights with a finishing move (choke out,
joint locks, etc.) are the best. |
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