Rumor: Matt Hughes Offered UFC 109 Fight Against Renzo Gracie (UPDATE)

by Anton Tabuena on Nov 11, 2009 12:42 AM EST Comment 25 comments

According to Around the Octagon, Renzo Gracie's (13-6-1), UFC debut may be against Matt Hughes (43-7) on UFC 109:

ATO has learned through a source close to the HIT squad that Matt Hughes has been approached to face Renzo Gracie in February at UFC 109.

There were already some people talking about the rumored match up ever since Lorenzo hinted about signing Renzo. Obviously, the bout is far from being finalized, but if it does push through, it will be a very interesting senior circuit match between two legends in their own right.

If the fight materializes, this would be the second time the UFC Hall of Famer would take on a member of the legendary Gracie family. In 2006, he handed a one sided beating to the then 39-year-old Royce Gracie, but with Renzo having a more modern and diverse skill set, one could expect it to be a different fight.

Matt Hughes, 36, and has been taking some time off since defeating his long time rival Matt Serra last May. He's been uninterested in fighting up-and-comers, and seems to only want older and bigger named fighters, making a match against Renzo something he'd likely want.

Renzo Gracie on the other hand, is 42, and last competed back in 2007. He won by disqualification against Frank Shamrock in the now defunct EliteXC.

UPDATE - Heavy.com has more:

Heavy.com has confirmed with sources close to the UFC that a welterweight matchup between Renzo Gracie and Matt Hughes is in the works for UFC 109 in February.

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Comments

Yeah not sure how I fell about this one haha

by Marcelo on Nov 11, 2009 1:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

i've accepted that Hughes isn't interested in fighting the young dangerous contenders anymore,

so I am kinda interested in this.. He only wants senior circuit fights, and i think this is the best option.

weoweoweo .deviantart .com -- @antontabuena

by Anton Tabuena on Nov 11, 2009 1:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

haha i agree

i read the post and was like “hmmm I don’t really have any feelings towards this matchup, I wonder what the comments say”.

by TJ3117 on Nov 11, 2009 1:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You know it’s bad when you’re more interested in the comments than the actual fight, haha, I totally did the same thing!

by Chadsac on Nov 11, 2009 3:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't care what anyone says

I want to see this fight.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t drink last night, so I’m not funny today."
-Sakuraba

by Blackout612 on Nov 11, 2009 1:53 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Me too!

by Jahbulon on Nov 11, 2009 1:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

RENZO!

by woooburn on Nov 11, 2009 8:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ditto

If for no other reason than pre-fight hype will be an educational experience for newer MMA fans. I cant wait to see the career retrospective for Renzo and the revenge angle both for his family (Royce) and his most famous student (Serra).

I am also looking forward to hearing ‘hammafistelbow’ from Serra in his corner.

by Steve4192 on Nov 11, 2009 9:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good fight

Hughes is gonna have his hands full, Renzo has pretty good takedowns himself. That said… Hughes takes this

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA. Xtreme Couture FTMFW.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on Nov 11, 2009 2:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well considering Renzo Gracie most likely has better stand up than Hughes, then this fight should be semi interesting on the floor. Even if Renzo doesn’t have the most active guard in the world.

Not that I condone facism or any ism for that matter. Isms are in my opinion, not good. A person shouldn't believe in an ism, he should believe in himself.

I quote John Lennon, "I don't believe in Beatles, I just believe in me". Good point there, after all he was the walrus. I could be the walrus. Wouldn't change the fact I have to bum rides off of people.

by SamCupitt on Nov 11, 2009 2:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

Sam, I have seen the guy roll up close and personal, and his ground game is sick! He may not be Jacare or Maia but he will be the best BJJ guy Hughes has faced since BJ Penn.

by Nick Travaglini on Nov 11, 2009 1:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not saying his ground game isn’t top notch, just that it isn’t as explosive as someone like Jacare or Maia. He’s more patient and waits for mistakes and Hughes doesn’t offer that many and will probably be way stronger than Renzo.

Not that I condone facism or any ism for that matter. Isms are in my opinion, not good. A person shouldn't believe in an ism, he should believe in himself.

by SamCupitt on Nov 11, 2009 7:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Potential for major turtle fucking…

by mmalogic on Nov 11, 2009 2:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

HA!

now that comment works better on this scenario. haha :)

weoweoweo .deviantart .com -- @antontabuena

by Anton Tabuena on Nov 11, 2009 2:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This card still doesn't have a headliner...

Anyone else smelling Chuck Liddell?

We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.

by Robert Downey Sr. on Nov 11, 2009 4:17 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Chuckie and the Lobsterman UFC109: Senior Moment

Hello, Japan!

by Mr.Kib on Nov 11, 2009 4:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

UFC 109: Rheumatoid Arthritis

We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.

by Robert Downey Sr. on Nov 11, 2009 4:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

More like

UFC 109: Traumatic, Irreversible Brain Damage

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA. Xtreme Couture FTMFW.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on Nov 11, 2009 4:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

UFC 109: Sweatin’ to the oldies.

Hello, Japan!

by Mr.Kib on Nov 11, 2009 4:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I liked the original. UFC 109: Chuckie vs. Lobsterman.

I mean who is not wanting to buy that.

Not that I condone facism or any ism for that matter. Isms are in my opinion, not good. A person shouldn't believe in an ism, he should believe in himself.

by SamCupitt on Nov 11, 2009 10:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

For real though

Chuck/ Coleman on this card would make my day.

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA. Xtreme Couture FTMFW.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on Nov 11, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The world’s gone mad.

The mat is my church, the ground is my heaven, Jiu-Jitsu is my religion. And once you hit the ground you're in my world. My world is like the ocean, I’m like a shark and most people don't even know how to swim - Draculino

by AboveThisFire on Nov 11, 2009 8:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs