UFC 135: Matt Hughes vs Diego Sanchez fight official for Sept. 24 in Denver

by Jesse Holland on Jul 8, 2011 6:16 PM EDT in Upcoming UFC Events

Signed, sealed and (soon to be) delivered.

Former welterweight champion Matt Hughes will return to the Octagon to face the original "Ultimate Fighter," Diego Sanchez, at UFC 135 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo., on Sept. 24, 2011.

The promotion officially announced the bout earlier this afternoon.

After Thiago Alves booted him from the 170-pound title hunt back in 2008, Hughes (45-8) managed to string together three consecutive wins before B.J. Penn pasted him at the 21-second mark of their rubber match at the UFC 123: "Rampage vs. Machida" event last November.

Hughes, who turns 38 in October, has been enjoying some downtime after a busy 2010 fight campaign that saw the flinty farmboy compile a 2-1 record with wins over Renzo Gracie (UFC 112) and Ricardo Almeida (UFC 117) before the aforementioned drubbing in his Hawaiian trilogy.

Can a bout against Sanchez push him back over the hump? Or just over the hill?

Sanchez looked like every fighter's worst "Nightmare" after getting busted open by Martin Kampmann in their UFC on Versus 3 main event just last month. He won a controversial decision over "The Hitman" to secure his second straight win as a welterweight after returning to the division in a losing effort against John Hathaway at UFC 114: "Rampage vs. Evans" nearly one year ago.

Does a win for the Albuquerque product bump him further up the 170-pound ladder? Or is this a novelty match that does little for either fighter's career?

UFC 135 will feature the very first title defense of light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who will take on the venerable Quinton Jackson in the evening's main event.

In addition, Nate Diaz makes his return to the 155-pound division when he gets busy against "The Fireball Kid" Takanori Gomi.

Sounds like a lot of fun to be had in Denver, folks.

To check out the latest news and event coverage of "Jones vs. Rampage" click here.

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Comments

This is a tough one to call

I think Sanchez beign the quicker of the two will pull it off but style wise Hughes poses some problems for Sanchez. I think if Hughes can get Sanchez down his strenth will be to much for Sanchez?

"I felt like I was getting raped by Freddy Mercury"-Tank on losing to Dan Severn

by Puck Head on Jul 8, 2011 6:21 PM EDT reply actions

My thoughts too

I like Diego and I’m a little worried about this matchup for him, hughes may be able to outwrestle and hold him down. That would suck

by Fightfan82 on Jul 8, 2011 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

It will be interesting

Speed vs Strength

"I felt like I was getting raped by Freddy Mercury"-Tank on losing to Dan Severn

by Puck Head on Jul 8, 2011 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions

This is an interesting matchup.....

but at the end of the day, Hughes will need to bring a sledgehammer into the cage if he wants to hurt Diego…..and Diego has the scrambling skills to earn a decision victory. Another factor is the flash knockout epidemic….looking at Hughes last performance, you have to wonder if he’s a victim like the Ice Man and The Axe Murderer…..he’s in the right age group.

Urijah Faber is nothing but an overrated, slow wannabe. Even in his camp he is only the second best. Dominick Cruz is a true champion, easiest win for him, just like freenow82 said it would be.

by kg12 on Jul 8, 2011 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions

True

I hope hughes chin is fragile becuz diego isn’t exactly a big puncher. I dont think he can hurt diego just afraid he can take diego down and hold him down for a decision.

by Fightfan82 on Jul 8, 2011 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions

i dunno man..

Hughes does work on the ground.. and he’s lightyears ahead of Sanchez in the wrestling category… I don’t think he’d have to LnP

by 10thDegreeWhiteBelt on Jul 8, 2011 7:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yeah he is better wrestling wise

But I think diego is good enough off his back to avoid too much damage just going off his fights with fitch and diaz, It should be a decent fight tho

by Fightfan82 on Jul 8, 2011 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions

fair enuff

Def gonna be a good scrap

by 10thDegreeWhiteBelt on Jul 8, 2011 8:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

If I try to picture Diego knocking out Hughes, it would be Diesel-Style, by landing a knee to the face when Hughes shoots for a takedown……..Diego is long overdue to land one of those. He’s probably freaking himself out right now thru visualization on the UFC training video game.

Can someone please post a gif of the YES Cartwheel……i think we all need it to start the weekend off right……I’ve tried posting a gif before, but i usually fuck it up.

Urijah Faber is nothing but an overrated, slow wannabe. Even in his camp he is only the second best. Dominick Cruz is a true champion, easiest win for him, just like freenow82 said it would be.

by kg12 on Jul 8, 2011 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes Yes Yes!

I love diegos yes cartwheel that would start my weekend off right with a laugh! haha, Diegos crazy, I hope he’s freakin himself out with visualization right now lol

by Fightfan82 on Jul 8, 2011 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Me gusta me reggae, me gusta punk rock, pero la cosa que me gusta mas es panochita.

by Wicky Wicky Scratch on Jul 8, 2011 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Diegos pace wil lbe to much for Hughes

Bring back the Chute Boxe of old!!!

by manalito on Jul 8, 2011 6:29 PM EDT reply actions

Damn.

First time I’m going to be rooting for Hughes.

What screams date rapist more: An Affliction t-shirt or a guy on the corner screaming, "I'm a date rapist!"

by FragglesHateKos on Jul 8, 2011 6:32 PM EDT reply actions

Me too.

Is there a way they can both lose? Double KO?

Me gusta me reggae, me gusta punk rock, pero la cosa que me gusta mas es panochita.

by Wicky Wicky Scratch on Jul 8, 2011 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions

i think diego's pace will be too much for matt

Diego takes the decision 29-28 and losing the first round!

by mguillardfan701 on Jul 8, 2011 6:43 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Good possibility

But Hughes is no slouch when it comes to cardio. But he’s not getting any younger so you could be right.

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits."-Albert Einstein

by Craigo8609 on Jul 8, 2011 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions

diego for the win

by OM20 on Jul 8, 2011 6:57 PM EDT reply actions

Diego will not fear Hugues stand up.

But he will get taken down and Matt will hold him down. Diego need to put the pressure on Hugues and dictate the pace of this fight. If Hughes can put pressure on Diego I see him winning a UD.

by jewjiffshoes on Jul 8, 2011 7:03 PM EDT reply actions