Posted on 11/17/2006 8:43:35 PM

UFC 65 - Welterweight Championship

By Darren Cora

UFC Welterweight Championship

Matt Hughes (-125) vs. Georges St. Pierre (+105)

Matt Hughes is widely considered the most dominant Welterweight in the history of the UFC. His overall mixed martial arts record stands at 44 – 4 – 0, and 14 – 2 in the UFC. Absolutely staggering numbers. One of those UFC W’s came with the submission of an upstart, undefeated fighter back in 2004 by the name of George St. Pierre. That loss remains the only blemish on the stellar record of the 25 year old Canadian.

At UFC 65, St. Pierre looks to avenge this one career defeat, and overcome the nerves and jitters that he claims to have held him back in his last match against Matt Hughes. Matt Hughes has already solidified himself as a hall of famer, and there isn’t much he has left to prove to anybody…except GSP.

When St. Pierre faced Hughes the first time he was young and hungry but visibly shaken with the prospect of fighting somebody whom he considered to be his idol. In the moments before the fight, St. Pierre refused to look Hughes in the eye, and seemed tense and high strung for the entire pre fight introductions.

 

Although the fight ended with a first round submission stoppage in favor of Matt Hughes, George St. Pierre looked comfortable and evenly matched up until the last minute and a half of the fight. He even landed a spinning back kick to Matt Hughes mid section that if properly placed could have ended the fight on the spot. He clearly could handle Hughes if they stayed standing.

Afterwards, Georges admitted that in his mind, he didn’t feel as though he could win this fight and was intimidated by Matt Hughes as a fighter. He made no excuses but professed his nervousness in facing such a revered fighter. He promises that this time will be different, that’s he’s a better fighter now and stronger mentally than he has ever been.

Both these fighters are much improved and considered veterans of the octagon, and clearly the best of this division. That’s why this rematch is overshadowing the Heavyweight showdown also on this PPV card.

BetUS.com is celebrating UFC 65 with an offer of a $50 free play with a $100 deposit. So sign-up and put a few bucks on either Hughes or St. Pierre. It’s going to be a great fight.

Catch all the action of UFC 65, Bad Intentions, on November 18th on Pay Per View and place your bets on all of the action right here on BetUS.

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Darren Cora is a freelance columnist and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker room.