http://mmajunkie.com/news/4217/hughes-vs-alves-tapped-for-ufc-85-main-event.mma Hughes vs. Alves tapped for UFC 85 main event by Dann Stupp on Apr 25, 2008 at 3:53 pm ET Former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes (42-6 MMA, 15-3 UFC) and highly ranked 170-pounder contender Thiago Alves (14-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) have stepped up to fill the UFC 85 main-event slot vacated by an injured Chuck Liddell. Hughes made the announcement on his official website. However, the UFC hadn't announced the bout as of Friday afternoon. UFC 85 takes place June 7 at the O2 Arena in London, England. Hughes, who said he wants to fight rival Matt Serra after the fight with Alves, is coming off a UFC 79 loss to Georges St. Pierre for the UFC's interim welterweight title. Prior to that, he had defeated Chris Lytle via unanimous decision at UFC 68. "June 7, in England, I fight Thiago Alves," Hughes wrote. "The fight is confirmed, (and) it will be the main event for the card. Dana (White) just called me with the news. "No matter what happens in this fight, I've got Serra next." Hughes will now take on Alves, one of the UFC's top fighters who's somehow managed to fly under the radar. He's currently riding a five-fight win streak with his only losses in the UFC coming to Jon Fitch and Spencer Fisher. He most recently defeated Karo Parisyan with a second-round TKO at UFC Fight Night 13 earlier this month, which moved him up the world 170-pound rankings. Liddell, who tore a hamstring during a recent training session, was slated to headline the event with Rashad Evans. Evans now faces James Irvin instead. TFK
85 is becoming very similiar to UFC 78, meaning it has a lot of good fights on paper, but no 'real' main event worthy fight. It's still up in the air whether this is gonna air on PPV or Spike, but I'm hoping it's on free TV. Here's the card so far... UFC 85 Bouts (officially announced): -Matt Hughes vs. Thiago Alves -Michael Bisping vs. Chris Leben -Marcus Davis vs. Mike Swick -Rashad Evans vs. James Irvin -Fabricio Werdum vs. Brandon Vera -Martin Kampmann vs. Jorge Rivera -Thiago Tavares vs. Matt Wiman -Nate Marquardt vs. Thales Leites -Luis Arthur Cane vs. Jason Lambert -Neil Wain vs. Antoni Hardonk UFC 85 Bouts (unannounced): -Ryo Chonan vs. Roan Carneiro -Jess Liaudin vs. Paul Taylor TFK
Huh? Alves has some of the more dangerous stand up in MMA. Good knees,kicks and hands. Especially has a good counter right hand. If Hughes actually stood with Alves he would get MURDERED. Not going to happen though. Hughes will takes Alves down. Alves's job will be to catch Hughes before it gets to the ground where he's at a disadvantage.
this is a very uncompelling PPV card. The only bout I am truly interested in is Leben/Bisping. But that is more because of my personal ties to Chris and my dislike for Bisping.
is that guy the dude whos nickname is the pitbull or something im thinking of someone else with a similar name methinks
http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=5998 Yeah his nickname is the pitbull but that's a pretty common nickname these days. :: At this point in each guys career, I hope Alves beats Hughes.
To me, Hughes-Alves is a compelling match-up. Hughes is just far enough on the downhill slide and the up and coming Alves is red hot. It is certainly not PPV Main Event material, but worth watching.
Yeah, that should be a good one. Davis has really improved over the last year or two. The card is really full of good fights, except for Werdum and Vera, who are both garbage. TFK
