Royce Gracie vs Matt Hughes in May
 

http://www.ufc.tv/index.cfm?fa=news.Detail&gid=2098

does this go in sports?

Re: Royce Gracie vs Matt Hughes in May
 

Matt Hughes by GNP.

Re: Royce Gracie vs Matt Hughes in May
 

Not a big fan of this match-up at all. This is going to delay the fights I want to see Matt in such as vs. BJ Penn or rematch with GSP. Also, Karo looks like he is not getting his shot now.

Don't get me wrong though, I still want to see Royce choke him out bad.

Re: Royce Gracie vs Matt Hughes in May
 

Hughes's strength is his strength. Royce was able to handle Severn (270 lbs.), Kimo (270 lbs., and Shamrock (220 lbs.) while only weighing 170 pounds himself. And before you say, "Wait a minute! Those old school guys weren't as evolved as today's fighters!" let me remind you that Royce pwned Judo Golde medalist Yoshida who weighed 225 pounds and who beat Bob Sapp in tug-of-war contest on a Japanese gameshow.

Hughes's strength will be totally nullified.

Re: Royce Gracie vs Matt Hughes in May
 

I'm just getting back into UFC. What has Grace been up to over the past 5 or so years, he has go to be mid 40's by now. Is age going to be a deciding factor?

Re: Royce Gracie vs Matt Hughes in May
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'm just getting back into UFC. What has Grace been up to over the past 5 or so years, he has go to be mid 40's by now. Is age going to be a deciding factor?

[/ QUOTE ]
Probably not. He fought a 90 minute fight with Kazushi Sakuraba, so I think he's got the stamina. Hughes may be strong, but Royce has fought strong people before. Hughes would probably do well to keep the fight off the ground and take a page out of Sakuraba's book.

Re: Royce Gracie vs Matt Hughes in May
 

pig,

Severn, Kimo, and the Shamrock in match 1 were all horrible at submission defense. Also I recall Kimo effectively ended the tournament for Gracie due to injuries. Kimo wins that fight 2 out of 3 times.

With that said, the rules will play a huge factor here. If it's a 90 minute no stoppage / no forced standup fight, Gracie will have a big advantage. If it's the standard UFC rules, Gracie will need to get very lucky.

J

Re: Royce Gracie vs Matt Hughes in May
 

Does Royce get to wear a gi to choke his opponents with?


I hope Matt Hughes beats him into a coma. I freakin' hate Gracie.

Re: Royce Gracie vs Matt Hughes in May
 

Announcer: "do you think the game has passed Royce Gracie by"
Hughes: "yes"

what a [censored] d-bag. also, on ultimate fighter season 2, he was a dick. I hope Royce dominates

Re: Royce Gracie vs Matt Hughes in May
 

[ QUOTE ]
Does Royce get to wear a gi to choke his opponents with?


I hope Matt Hughes beats him into a coma. I freakin' hate Gracie.

[/ QUOTE ]
He can, but he doesn't always wear one now. He used to wear one all the time, but now that people are getting wise to jiu-jitsu I think he'll drop it totally.

I think Hughes has to keep the fight standing. Royce doesn't have knockout power and his standup striking is pretty shabby.

Royce otoh, has to do the opposite. Go to the ground (probably by pulling guard) and stay busy to avoid being stood up. Royce is technical enough, imo, to keep Matt in defend mode on the ground which means he'll come out ahead in the judges eyes. If this match has normal time limits, I think Royce wins by decision unless Hughes royally screws up.