UFC Quick Quote: Pitbull looking to unleash against Hughes

by Jesse Holland on May 4, 2008 12:15 PM EDT Comment 61 comments

"I’m training like mad and I’m really strong with a lot of wind. We brought in some wrestlers to train and we’re putting together the right strategy for the fight. To me, experience is what counts. Hughes is already in the UFC Hall of Fame and has only lost to Saint-Pierre. But I’ve been doing this since I was 15 in muay thai and MMA. I can’t be satisfied being just another one, I want to be the best and I’ll only leave dead."

-UFC welterweight contender Thiago "Pitbull" Alves talks about the challenge of facing former UFC welterweight champion and hall-of-famer Matt Hughes on June 7 at UFC 85 in London, England.

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hughes lost to GSP, bj penn, dennis hallman, and landi-jons (sp?)

and i dont think he is in the hall of fame yet. but he will be

im pullin for alves in this fight

by mr.rice-a-roni on May 4, 2008 12:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sure, but he’s thinking it looks better if he beats a guy that only lost to GSP… hence, “LOT OF WIND”

by THORAZINE on May 5, 2008 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

first comment
im going with huges

by damon on May 4, 2008 12:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

should be a sick fight…
prediction: Hughes wrestles Alves to the ground all 3 rounds and ground and pounds him for a decision…

by XxXFactor on May 4, 2008 12:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I have to agrey

by DB on May 4, 2008 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would not be surprised if Hughes goes for a take down and Tiago delivers a well timed Knee to the mouth….Hughes Buckles!

Hughes will not win this fight. Only chance he has is by doing it the Sean Sherk way…little damage, lots of dry humping! LOL

by john on May 5, 2008 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I see this being similar to Hughes-Lytle, basically boring as hell, so I hope Bisbing-Leben delivers. Also Vera-Werdum looks good. Vera by devastating KO

by BLOodyMEss on May 4, 2008 12:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This has potential to be a good one – I think Hughes will use his experience to grind out a TKO ref. stoppage or a 3 round decision. To have a chance, Thiago has to keep it standing and go for the KO. That will be tough against someone so experienced.

by DJ on May 4, 2008 1:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The pitbull locks his jaws on Hughes’s neck and winds up banned in Las Vegas

by pancakehead on May 4, 2008 1:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hughes is in the UFC Hall of Fame? I thought they referred to him as a future member.

by EaZyE on May 4, 2008 1:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hes not in yet but he might as well be i mean dana already said tank will be in there one day

by Canadian crippler on May 4, 2008 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tank Abbott? Shouldn’t winning more fights than you lose be one of the major requirements for the HoF?

by PW on May 4, 2008 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

you would think so but i heard dana say in an interview that when tank stops fighting he will be in the hof

by Canadian crippler on May 4, 2008 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tank will be in the UFC simply b/c he was one of the first pioneer stars of the UFC. Remember, UFC was almost dead, and Tank’s ability to sell fights was one of the things that kept it going. But as a fighter, he’s not HOF-worthy.

by Pat on May 4, 2008 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah look at Ken Shamrock. He’s in the hall beceause he was a pioneer, but who did he ever beat?… Kimo? In my oppinion Tank will get into the hall, but shouldn’t be there.

by DB on May 4, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think in this case its all about entertainment…Tank has some of the most devastating KO’s in history, no matter what happened later on. Besides you get in if you’re Dana’s boy…Ill bet you anyting Tito wont make it in, even though he deserves it more than most of them.

by utaptout on May 4, 2008 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

tank belongs and hughes is a no-brainer. don frye should get in as well. i think tito will be ther some day, he might have to apologize though and does deserve it. it will just take alot of time. i wonder if they will actually ever have a hof building like football and baseball. boxing has one as well. im sure they will some day, probably in vegas.

by b.w. on May 5, 2008 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dont know how this fight will go cause i mean hughes has nothing to fight for he gets serra no matter what where if alves beats hughes he might get the winner of GSP vs fitch. or should i just say he will get GSP. i think alves will just want it more then hughes dont get me wrong hughes hates to lose but alves has way more to gain then hughes

by Canadian crippler on May 4, 2008 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Alves has a lot to lose too in this fight. It wasn’t that long ago Dana came out and said that Thiago was next in line after Fitch. A loss to Hughes would knock him out of title contention as fast as Thiago’s victory over Parisyan did to Karo.

by Jase on May 4, 2008 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ahhh…Karo…the master of the unanimous decision

by utaptout on May 4, 2008 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not a big fan of hughes…but i will say that he takes every fight seriously, and he plays to win. He wont take this one lightly…the guys at MFS wouldn’t let him anyway.

by utaptout on May 4, 2008 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see Pitbull, and I instinctively think of Arlovski. And Hughes hasn’t “only” lost to GSP.

by Jase on May 4, 2008 1:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ya he missed that one big time alves might need to go back and check the records again

by Canadian crippler on May 4, 2008 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

True that. While the losses to Dennis Hallman were earlier in his career, BJ Penn also has a notable victory over Hughes in the UFC.

by Jase on May 4, 2008 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ya that was a huge win for bj but then hughes came back and killed bj the next fight. but i do hope hughes comes out to fight he is one of my favorite fighters it was hard for me to watch ufc 79 cause GSP is my number 1 i was kind of hoping it would be a close fight but ya no it wasnt

by Canadian crippler on May 4, 2008 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

wasn’t bj out of mma for 2 years in that fight. he did great in the first round. he avoided every take down that hughes threw at him. but bj gased in the second. put the new bj in with hughes now and see what happens. bj looks leaner and he’s in great shape now.

by CBfighter on May 4, 2008 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the second fight is what i’m talking about…

by CBfighter on May 4, 2008 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Y anow he looks leaner at 155 if he would go back to 170 he would not be so lean and he still had fights for those 2 years just not in the ufc

by Canadian crippler on May 4, 2008 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know why this event coming out on PPV the main event is not even credible enough to be on PPV it should be free on spike.

by jerkoff on May 4, 2008 1:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

what every fight on this card now has a some body in it this card is worth a ppv now

by Canadian crippler on May 4, 2008 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Every fight? they don’t show all 8-9 bouts on PPV it would cost more up to 50-60 bucks if they show all. It only depends if the last 5-6 bouts which will air are worth watching on ppv. I wish UFC would show all 8-9 bouts for 40-45 bucks then it’ll be worth to see.

by jerkoff on May 4, 2008 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

you’re a knowledgeless baffoon for thinnking that, cause alves has been on a tear and hughes is the geratest welterweight of all time. There are at least 8 fights on this card worthy of being on the main card, and yet you think the main event isn’t credible enough to be on PPV? It’s pretty obvious you’re a fake fan with no knowledge of who is good and who isn’t worthy of being in the UFC.

Geez, grow some brains before you post another knowledgeless comment. What a disgrace you are.

by Clint on May 4, 2008 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh man i thought you were yelling at me dude lol

by Canadian crippler on May 4, 2008 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hughes will absolutely destroy this dude…it’s not like he forgot how to fight in the past few months.

Hughes has lost to Hallman, Penn, and GSP.

That’s not a bad group to lose to, right?

Prediction: Hughes wins by submission, Round 2.

by TeamPunishmentFanatic on May 4, 2008 2:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would like to see hughes win this fight cause i do like him but do not count out alves alot of people said he would not beat kyro and he did well vs him

by Canadian crippler on May 4, 2008 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what have you seen Hallman do lately? He’s a loser and he tapped out Hughes not once but Twice, very easily.

by BLOodyMEss on May 4, 2008 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry bud, but hughes aint gonna submit Alves. He’ll win by GNP or decision, but he hasnt submitted anyone since Joe Riggs. I think Alves is probably too good on the ground to be submitted by hughes.

by utaptout on May 4, 2008 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hughes all the way. Probably 3rd round tko ground and pound. Then who’s the next contender after Fitch? Hughes? Kos? All that said if Hughes does beat Alves and then he beats Serra of which he is guarenteed to fight next, Hughes might be up for the title in a retirement match.

by GodannarJunkie on May 4, 2008 2:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I do not think that we would see a hughes vs GSP 4 because the last 2 times were a lil lopsided its kind of like a franklin and silva thing if hughes wins again no one wasnts to see hughes vs gsp 4. the best thing for the ufc is for alves to win this so that way they have a for sure nmber 1 contender for the winner of fitch and gsp if hughes wins that then who would be number 1 i cant really think of a worthy number 1 contender if gsp is the champ

by Canadian crippler on May 4, 2008 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Hughes wins, they could have Hughes-Penn III, with the winner (Penn) fighting GSP for the title.

by Pat on May 4, 2008 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But if hughes won then they would not want hughes gsp 4 and bj has to many people to fight in lw

by Canadian crippler on May 4, 2008 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hughes will not beat Penn. I guess they could make it where if (when) BJ wins, he gets the title shot, and Hughes gets Serra no matter what.

by Pat on May 4, 2008 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

btw…BJ doesn’t have too much competition in LW. If he beats Sherk, then theres no one left. He made Joe look like a kid, and Joe’s better than Huerta, Guida, Griffin…etc. If they want competitive fights, they’ll let BJ move up and vacate the belt, then Sherk will fight the winner of the Florian/Huerta fight for the vacated belt. Simple as that.

by utaptout on May 4, 2008 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

theyll probably bring in that ww champ from the WEC or something…but if BJ does move back up to 170, he’s guaranteed a title shot…even if its just for lack of another contender

by utaptout on May 4, 2008 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

diego vs the winner of this fight would be a good #1 contender. i always wanted to see diego vs hughes but diego vs alves would suffice. and i am forgetting that win or lose hughes is going to fight serra.

by b.w. on May 5, 2008 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hughes wins by TKO or Submission in the 2nd round.

He isn’t the “Greatest Welterweight of All-Time” for nothing.

by Cool Hand Chad on May 4, 2008 3:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah actually Id say he is…GSP will probably earn that distinction sooner or later, and he’s only in his mid 20’s right now. I think BJ is the only guy that has a shot at beating him, and I don’t see it happening.

by utaptout on May 4, 2008 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i can’t write off hughes, but if alves does his homework and works his td defense i think he could make very short work of hughes standing. on the other hand, i don’t see thiago getting subbed early or gnp’d, but if hughes has his way with takedowns i think he could wear alves out for a possible 3rd round sub or gnp. but i highly doubt it. it’s either over quick with a tko for alves or a boring decision going to hughes.

also i think hughes has alot more to lose. thiago is a super young guy who’s going to be competing for awhile and he can match up with alot of the top 10 whereas hughes is on his way out and a loss to a young upstart will only further diminish the aura of invincibility st. pierre has already dismantled.

by Phil Baloni on May 4, 2008 3:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I dont think hughes really cares about getting the title back he already said he only had like maybe 3 more fights in him and that was before gsp i think all he wants is serra

by Canadian crippler on May 4, 2008 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well put

by utaptout on May 4, 2008 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

if alves can’t take care of business and marcus davis can, i wouldn’t be surprised if HE were #1 contender. A win over swick, particularly a finish (to be more convincing), would put him at 7-1 inside the octagon and that would be his 7th straight victory. Coming into that fight with swick (i hope davis does destroy him, although it will be tough), davis is 6-1 with 5 finishes to his credit. he has FINISHED paul taylor, jess liaudin, pete spratt, jason tan, and forrest petz, and holds a decision win over shonie carter.

UFC 85 has welterweight contender implications on this card with both alves and davis fighting on the card. should be very interesting.

by Clint on May 4, 2008 4:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Clint – davis is very good and i think he has to move up to the top tier if he defeats swick. My favourite Davis moment was when he escaped arm bar by Taylor. I was rs and taylor had it in – how he got out God only knows. Note I am huge Taylor fan.

I think Alves will beat Hughes though. He will keep a good distance with leg kicks and then move in with his hands.

Can anyone*** remember early UFC Alves fight were he got caught and was losing then struck back with one punch from nowhere and wins. Devastating power. Have only been watching UFC for 2 years (Am British so follow Cage Rage mainly) and only saw a clip of tis fight. Can someone let me know because it was so cool and want to try and find it.

by Billy Boy on May 4, 2008 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good point. I would personally rather see Marcus Davis vs Matt Hughes and Thiago Alves vs Mike Swick. Seems like they would be more evenly matched. Davis-St.Pierre, Fitch-Hughes, Swick-Johnson, Sanchez-Hughes, Johnson-St.Pierre, and Sanchez-Koscheck 3 should all be fun as well!!!

by BLOodyMEss on May 4, 2008 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You didnt mention KOS and Hughes…Ive wanted to see that one for a LONG time

by utaptout on May 4, 2008 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hope alves kicks hughes ass! them let hughes and serra have it out on the undercard of a future ufc lol

by NEWFIE-MMA-FAN on May 4, 2008 5:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If Alves wins, he has to be considered as a legit title contender in the next year. Hes very explosive and it would be interesting to see him fight GSP or Fitch. I’m a little surprised that Hughes took the fight, I’m sure Dana offered him a nice sum of cash. I’d rather see him fight Serra just because of their dislike for each other.

by PitBullNY on May 4, 2008 7:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hughes is a gamer. I don’t always agree with how he treats other people (see: Tim Sylvia), but he always comes to fight.

by Pat on May 5, 2008 7:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is easy to get strong and fast when you have juiced up before. I fu*King hate guys like this … Sherk, Baroni, etc etc does my head in.

by DownUnder on May 4, 2008 9:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hate to say it, but I think Hughes wins this fight. I like Alvez because he’s not as one dimensional, but Hughes’ wrestling should lead to a victory. That is, unless he gets caught like karo..

by Spitforce on May 5, 2008 1:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m going for Alvez in this one. I really do think Hughes is past his prime. BJ would have destroyed him if not for the cracked rib, GSP beat him twice and I still remember that crap dispaly he put on against Chris Lytle, that was painful to watch. Just going by these last few fights he had I definately going with Alvez. The experience of Hughes could be the deciding factor though.