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**screenamesuck** · 11-24-2007, 12:41 AM

mmamania.com

Quote:

News broke today that UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Serra will be unable to make his first title defense against Matt Hughes at UFC 79: “Nemesis” on December 29 because of a herniated disc in his back that he sustained during training.
Hughes still has the option to compete on the New Year’s Eve weekend card, according to a report from Dave Meltzer at Yahoo!Sports.com, as long as he agrees to terms on a new opponent. Meltzer provided two such names: Jon Fitch and Thiago Alves.
Here’s the snip:

“According to a UFC official, if Serra is out for a long period of time and Hughes agrees to fight on Dec. 29, the two most likely candidates to for an opponent would be Jon Fitch or Thiago Alves. Josh Koscheck and Diego Sanchez are both coming off losses, and Sanchez has talked about cutting to 155. “

MMAmania.com (UFC blog for UFC news, results, videos, rumors, fights, pics and tickets — MMAmania.com (UFCmania.com)) can confirm that Fitch is not available to fight that weekend. In fact, he told us today, “I’m not even going to be in the country. I’ll be in Vietnam tending to some personal matters.”
That leaves Alves if the report is indeed accurate, which would be a major opportunity for the American Top Team (ATT) team member. However, “The Pitbull” did just fight a two-round war with Chris Lytle this past weekend at UFC 78: “Validation” in which he came away with the win because of a doctor stoppage (cuts).
It would vault him into top contender status virtually overnight if he could defeat Hughes. On the other hand, Hughes would risk losing a potential title shot with a loss — there’s no real advantage to taking a fight with Alves much less anyone else.
Remember not too long ago Serra was put in the same situation when then-champion Georges St.Pierre pulled out of their fight at UFC 67:”All or Nothing.” Serra opted to wait and fight “Rush” two months later and, well, the rest is history.
Hughes did have this to say in a recent blog post:

“As of now, Matt Serra is out of the fight because of a herniated disc in his lower back. I believe Serra is actually hurt, so I don’t think this is just a ploy not to fight. Before my Royce fight, I had three bulged discs that I was able to repair enough to fight. As everybody knows you never go into a fight 100%.”

Having said all of that it would be extremely bizarre for Hughes to take a fight instead of Serra without knowing the full extent of the injury. If it’s serious and he’s on the shelf indefinitely, then yes, he’s going to have to fight someone else.
Short of that it’d be best to sit tight and let this situation play out in the next few weeks and months. There’s always UFC 82 in March right in his backyard — a card that Fitch plans to be on … Josh Koscheck, too.

RobZombie · 11-24-2007, 12:45 AM

Shit, I have a hard time thinking Jon Fitch is worthy of a title shot.

RobZombie · 11-24-2007, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobZombie

Shit, I have a hard time thinking Jon Fitch is worthy of a title shot.

(IF He beats Hughes)

**Arlovski_Fan** · 11-24-2007, 12:55 AM

Hmmm Alves vs Hughes would be very interesting...
New school vs old school.
Striker vs Wrestler.
I like it. I like it a lot. I know most of you probably think Hughes will just wipe the floor with Alves, which is very possible, but I think it could be exciting!(more exciting than Serra vs Hughes imo)

**nickman9000** · 11-24-2007, 12:59 AM

Marcus Davis.

Poyndexter · 11-24-2007, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobZombie

Shit, I have a hard time thinking Jon Fitch is worthy of a title shot.

Dude, personally, I think Fitch is ready to take the next step. I really believe this guy has what it takes to beat Hughes. Fitch is a beast.

vandalian · 11-24-2007, 01:09 AM

Methinks Mr. Meltzer is doing a little extra speculating here.

Slug · 11-24-2007, 01:40 AM

I wouldn't mind seeing Marcus Davis TKO Matt Hughes.

zarny · 11-24-2007, 02:18 AM

I think the key is how long will Serra be on the sidelines.

If it is only going to be two months I have no doubt Hughes will wait.

If it is going to longer Hughes would have to take another fight.

I think at that point the only fight that makes sense is GSP vs Hughes.

GSP is/was waiting on Matt vs Matt. If Serra can't fight until April or May I don't see GSP sitting out until August for his title shot.

Both Hughes and GSP lose big time from a loss to a guy like Alves or Fitch. A loss to each other is less damaging.

It is a fight that has to happen, it's easy to hype and market, and it's the least risky for both fighters and the UFC.

If Serra is out longer than 3 months my money is on Hughes vs GSP 3 in February.