UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn
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Background
UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn was a 9-bout fight card that was held on September 23, 2006 at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California.
The card aired live on pay-per-view and was headlined by a welterweight championship bout between champion, Matt Hughes and former champ, BJ Penn.
A middleweight bout between former title challenger, David Loiseau and TUF 1's Mike Swick served as the co-main event of the evening.
Fight Card
Preliminary Card
- Lightweight Bout: Tyson Griffin vs. David Lee
- Lightweight Bout: Jorge Gurgel vs. Danny Abbadi
- Heavyweight Bout: Mario Neto vs. Eddie Sanchez
- Lightweight Bout: Roger Huerta vs. Jason Dent
Main Card
- Lightweight Bout: Jens Pulver vs. Joe Lauzon
- Light Heavyweight Bout: Rashad Evans vs. Jason Lambert
- Lightweight Bout: Melvin Guillard vs. Gabe Ruediger
- Middleweight Bout: David Loiseau vs. Mike Swick
- Welterweight Championship Bout: Matt Hughes vs. BJ Penn
Pre-Event Notes
This event was originally titled, "UFC 63: Hughes vs. St. Pierre" due to the fact that Georges St. Pierre was the original opponent for the bout. GSP had earned the shot after defeating BJ Penn at UFC 58, however he was forced to pull out of the bout after he sustained a groin injury in training.
Jens Pulver will make his return to the UFC after last having fought at UFC 35 in January of 2002 when he successfully defended his lightweight championship against BJ Penn. He goes into his fight with UFC debutant, Joe Lauzon as a 7 to 1 favourite.
On the undercard, Gabriel Gonzaga was supposed to face Mario Neto but an injury forced Eddie Sanchez to make his UFC debut as his replacement.
Undefeated fighter, Jason Reinhardt was meant to face Roger Huerta instead of Jason Dent but a neck injury forced his removal.
Results
Preliminary Card
- Lightweight Bout: Tyson Griffin defs. David Lee via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:50 of round 1.
- Lightweight Bout: Jorge Gurgel defs. Danny Abbadi via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28).
- Heavyweight Bout: Eddie Sanchez defs. Mario Neto via KO (punch) at :17 of round 1.
- Lightweight Bout: Roger Huerta defs. Jason Dent via unanimous decision (30-27 x3).
Main Card
- Lightweight Bout: Joe Lauzon defs. Jens Pulver via TKO (strikes) at :47 of roudn 1.
- Light Heavyweight Bout: Rashad Evans defs. Jason Lambert via KO (punches from mount) at 2:38 of round 2.
- Lightweight Bout: Melvin Guillard defs. Gabe Ruediger via KO (body punch) at 1:01 of round 2.
- Middleweight Bout: Mike Swick defs. David Loiseau via unanimous decision (29-28 x3).
- Welterweight Championship Bout: Matt Hughes defs. BJ Penn via TKO (punches) at 3:53 of round 3.
Penn's stellar takedown defense and supeior jiu jitsu and striking told the tale for the first two rounds as he had Hughes in a number of dangerous positions. Penn almost finished Hughes with a triangle choke at the end of the second round but Hughes was able to last out to the end of the round. To start the third, Penn came out looking lethargic - apparently due to a dislocated hip suffered in round 2 - and was almost defenseless against anything Hughes threw. Hughes scored a takedown midway through the round and was able to easily pass to side control where he controlled both of Penn's arms and wailed away with punches until the fight was stopped.
UFC Event Chronology
Preceded by: UFC 62: Liddell vs. Sobral
Followed by: UFC: The Final Chapter
External Links
http://63.ufc.com - Official UFC 63 Website
--Sam Cupitt 15:36, 16 April 2009 (UTC)
