Can’t wait to see you win on Dec. 29th. Train hard, be safe.

Matt, this is all you baby. Take him down, and ground and pound your belt back. May God give you the strength of Samson, the wisdom of Solomon and the fighting spirit of Gideon. I can’t wait!

I have always thought of you having great stradegy. I think that you are correct. I believe that you were going to have to face GSP in your next fight anyway. Might as well get it done with in the U.S.

I LOVE IT!

I cannot wait for this fight. I am even more excited about this match-up than the Serra fight!

[...] GSP Fight… [...]

You have NO clue how excited I am for this fight.
I know you won’t need it cuz there’s no doubt in anyones mind that it’s gonna be your fight but…
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!
Loveyabunches

[...] - Source [...]

Matt I am a Canadian and was going to be rooting for GSP when you were to fight next. You calling him out and getting it made into a 5 round event is awesome. You are a heck of a competitor and champion. I no longer care who wins I just want to see you guys put it all out there. I can’t wait for this. Good training Matt.

Matt

Matt, I’m glad to see you have a real opponent this time See you in Vegas!!

Hello Mr. Hughes,

I am a big fan of the UFC and have great respect for all the fighter that step intot that ring, but i have to say Matt Serra isn’t one of them.
I am a Canadian - Newfoundlander (if you know Canada you’ll know Newfie’s are a breed of their own).
I was hoping to see you rush Serra and just ground and pund a ref stoppage. The way that guys talks, oh man.
And for any fighter not wanting to train with you…in my opinion is not really inderstanding their role in the sport.
I believe yourself and GSP are both top knotch atletes and beleieve it will be a good fight, and for me to pick a winner, nah. I get a thrill and learn alot from just watching two of the greatest in the octegon. I do however give you good blessings and hope the two of you come out of there in good health.

I want to see you knock that disrespectful idiots head off, Matt Serra is an idiot. And i agree not cornering his team on TUF WAS SO DISRESPECTFUL. i have lots to say.
Take Care

I was very upset that Serra got hurt and backed out of the fight. I have been looking forward to the fight ever since it was announced. Fighting GSP will be a big challenge but i believe that you are up for it. I recently watched you fight sherk at ufc 42 and i couldn’t believe how intense you were when you were fighting. You definately took the fight to him and imposed your will. I pray that you will be able to do the same to George. I would love to see you explode on George in the opening round and then take him down and pound him for the win. I’ll continue to pray for you and your ministry as you live as an example for those who believe. May God give you the strength of Samson and the wisdom of solomon as you prepare for war. God Bless

I can’t wit to see you crush GSP! It’s going to be a great fight!

Was very concerned when I heard that Serra was hurt. I bought tickets at 12:01 when the presales opened, just to see you go up against Serra, because you have respect and he needs taught some. My husband and I almost asked for a refund, then I read your comment on GSP. You are my all time favorite, but I enjoy watching GSP also. We are still traveling from Missouri to Vegas to watch the fight and you win. Keep up the training and most of all keep preaching and teaching the word of God!! Those rewards are greater than any. I can’t wait to see you in Vegas. Tell the family hello and God Bless!!!

Jim and Cindy McCarver
Fredericktown Missouri

[...] Agree? Hughes apparently got to “pick” his opponent, according to a recent post on his official Web site. [...]

I have no doubt that Matt will win this fight. George is a great fighter but he lacks mental toughness. I am dissapointed not to see Matt beat the **** out of Serra. hope to see it one day. Good Luck!

I’m with you on this one Matt. My the Lord above give you the strength and guidance to be triumphant on 12/29. My daughter and I will be watching and cheering you on!! God Bless you Matt Hughes!!

[...] Regardless of all the criticism Matt Hughes has received lately, you really have to hand it to him this time. Basically the UFC offered Hughes a number of fights and he decided to pick the number one dog out of the list, Georges St. Pierre. No, that was not a typo. YES, Matt Hughes asked for Georges St. Pierre. Here is the latest from Matt Hughes’ official blog. [...]

I am looking forward to the rematch with GSP. Now kick his butt!!!!! Don’t worry about Serra he will still be there waiting, he is too sure of himself for his own good.

Matt good luck with the fight i was reading some of the comments someone said you may be the underdog the last time i checked you have beat GSP before and your the 9 time world champ.

Somehow you fighting GSP feels right. More so then exposing Serra as the one hit wonder fluke champ he is. I feel if you fight your fight and press GSP like you did in your 1st fight, he wont stand a chance. I know you’re drawing towards the end of your career dispite having many more fights left in you.. and although the desire for a big knock out to round out your legacy highlight reel may be in the back of your head some where, I urge you to stick with those talents and game plans that have served you so well in the past. The longer you stay on your feet, the longer he will try and foul you with low kicks to drop your guard the way he did in your last fight.

There is not a single 170lbs fighter in this world who is stronger or is a better wrestler. Take the fight to GSP, beat him, and go home and enjoy the fact you are the most prolific welterweight ever with your family.

We can all laugh when GSP complains about the short notice after he loses.

best of luck~
bob hughes

I am glad and sad. I can’t tell you how much I wanted you to fight Serra! He is one of those guys that just rubs you the wrong way. I am happy to see you get your rematch with GSP. I know that all your fans are behind you and we all know you can beat GSP I just want to see Matt Hughes with no judges involved!

Good luck Matt
John

I just read your blog and I could do nothing more than shake my head. Once again you have shown the world what true character is. A lesser man would’ve taken a lesser opponent; you’ve chosen one of the best in GSP, and even though I don’t care for St. Pierre I do think he is one of the best in the welterweight division. However; I also think that you are THE best in the division.
I will continue to pray for you, your safety, and that the Lord would see fit to grant you the grace to win another championship for His glory.

lets hope so! Good luck and God bless.

Wow. I have read all these posts and I don’t recall ever seeing such a response before.

The choice of GSP definitely shows that quality called “character”.

I just set my computer’s desktop wallpaper to a picture of Matt. I want ev eryone to know who I back, regardless of how it turns out.

God bless.

You are the BEST!!!! Good Luck! Thank you for showing the true Christian attitude!!! You are AWESOME!

Matt, IT BETTER BE YOUR FIGHT!!! You cannot afford to lose this one. There is too much at stake and I do believe you know it well. GSP wants his title back. He is coming hungry in this fight. But you have a different mindset in this fight too, so I KNOW this is going to be the crown of your career, 10 times UFC champion.

I hope is not going to be any bashing this time between you and GSP. Two class acts are going to be in that octagon. Be like the Gladiator and say that you are going to give us something that we’ve never seen before. This is a sport and you guys are two wonderful athletes.

“The righteous one will live by faith”, that means even this victory will be won by faith. Amen.

Matt… I hope you know what you are getting into .. I am sure this will be a different fight this time around, but I don’t see the outcome being any different. I am not saying you can’t win, after all BJ owned you in the first fight, and you were the underdog in the second fight and basically pummelled him into a stoppage … but I think GSP is on a different level .. I am just looking to see a great fight … win or lose, you are still the greatest welterweight of all time … train safe

oh Nate … nice way to twist things … i didn’t totally count matt out, because I have seen him and know his talents … i just think that matt is in the twilight of his career and gsp is just starting his … matt will have to do a lot to win this … remember, in their first fight, it was georges 8th fight .. and matt had 40 give or take a few … i just think that matt is going from an almost definite win (cuz i don’t think much of serra) to an almost definite loss …. so, we will come back to this conversation after the fight … i will admit i was wrong .. will you??

walter, walter, walter, never let them see you sweat, not that matt hughes should sweat this fight with gsp, they are bth mma fighters, both have won and lost fights, life does go on.
george

Hopefully matt hughes reads this, i hope you win better train hard, btw i was very surprised about what u said about wanting to fight silva

Matt,
I read that you are glad that this fight with GSP is in Vegas not Canada. As a big UFC fan living up here I think this would have been a great first UFC for Canada. Are you kidding me, GSP would be the fan favourite but don’t count out the Hughes fans up here. It would be tough cheering against one of the best, if not the best, Canadian in the UFC. Either way it would have been a big event up here. If held in Montreal or Quebec City it would have been amazing. The entire cities would have gone nuts like nothing the UFC has seen before. I can appreciate the fact the fight would have been a lot tougher for you up here…but that is why we are all such big fans of yours, never back down from a challenge and never take the easy road…when you defeat GSP and then Mr. Big mouth, do you think Dana White will set up a fight with GSP and big mouth for a second shot at you? (when GSP beats big mouth then the rematch can be up here!!!)

BEEEE-YOND excited for this fight!

Matt I will enjoy watching this fight. You and GSP are my favorite fighters in welterweights. As for Serra i would love to see you stomp the crap outa him. Now I get to see you go all the way and fight hard. Train hard matt! This will be a great fight!

Number 69, wow, and i wanted to be first…

Fully backing you up. i was down when i heard about serra, but then i got real excited about you and GSP. this will be great! You are going to simply win the fight. i wont say you will wipe the floor with him, because although you surely could, i figure you want to show him why you were about to win the belt befor you finish him. lookin forward to it. and as always. Fight Hard. Live Strong. Laugh Loud. And Love Deep.

Matt,
I believe Serra’s back will mysteriously be healed 5 minutes after you announce your retirement after a few more of fights. I would put money on the possibility the Hughes/Serra fight never happens. He has finally found his way out. He probably won’t fight simply because he just can’t stand the thought of losing to you. He had enough anxiety just rematching a has-been like Shonie Carter and you ain’t Shonie. Please! And to think Dana thought he was worthy to coach TUF. Look at the past show’s coaches and now look who just lowered the bar. I guess now we can look forward to his buddy Joey for TUF 7.

I bet St Pierre would truly rather fight Serra any day than you again.

Now I am really confused, Yahoo and different places are saying GSP went looking for this fight. When I read your blog you indicate that you went looking for the fight. Who initiaded this fight? I am sure you want to revenge your last fight with GSP, and even though you won the previous one fair and square withthe arm bar GSP was about to finish you, you got the arm and one congrats.

I was just starting to like you a bit watching you in TUF again, more so disliking Matt Serra and wanted to see you shut that the man complexed squeeky voice twit. But being Canadian and a GSP fan to the end I would like to know who asked first for the fight. I would hope the UFC will allow you to fight Serra to see who will fight GSP should he win. But as we all know anything can happen in a fight. Matt Serra got lucky on a lot of levels against GSP and he did win, that day he should have bought a ticket for the super ball because I think he would stand a better chance of winning that than beating you or GSP ever again. Lets face it, Serra is the hey spike! hey spike! what do you think spike? that should be spit bail guy in corner for the likes of you and GSP.

Although cheering for GSP wish you luck and should you ever decide to retire please fight one last time to shut up Serra so he remains a blip on the radar of UFC

[Matt Hughes was the one scheduled to fight on December 29th, so in the end it was his decision and his alone to fight a different opponent or just wait for Serra to heal. GSP might have asked to fight Matt, but ultimately it was Matt's decision to fight GSP, fight someone else, or just not fight at all. Matt chose to fight GSP. -NateR]

This was such a smart move Matt! Knowing GSP’s mind isn’t always in the game, catching him off guard like this increases your chances. Great idea, he’ll be caught off guard and way less focused then he would have been expecting the fight…Go Matt!
The only sad part of this is that Matt Serra can continue this mirage of a championship run. We all know who the real hall of famer (cough) I mean champion is

Matt I think you should be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame now, you are one of the most accomplished MMA fighters in history. You may even be the MOST accomplished.
Do you know or does anyone know if there is another champion that’s had more successful defences or title bouts in the history of MMA?

It’s admirable that you would pick the toughest opponent out there for your fight. It says tons about your character and confidence. Having met you a few times at local fight venues in Central Illinois, plus having some people we know in common, it’s almost like having a family member in there when you step into the ring. Stay focused, and know that we’ll be watching and rooting for you.

You never cease to amaze me Matt. You didn’t have to fight your toughest opponent and yet that’s exactly what you CHOSE to do. It’s just one more reason why you’ll always be the epitomy of a champion in my book, win or lose. Of course I’ll be praying for your victory though. I know you’ll take the fight to him and give it your all. Bring your belt home Matt and show the world why a country boy can survive!!

~Michael~

Matt I dont need to wish you luck because you are a man that is multi skilled in and out of the octgon. Never have I seen a mma fighter with the resume and record of stylish accomplishments that you have aquired. I started to follow your carrer in 2002 and was blown away by your performance one after the other. No one has ever taken down Royce Gracie in the manner that you did. No matter what happens on 12/29/07 you will always the #1 champion ever to step into the mma world. Matt Sera disrespects you because he knows he cannot beat you, although he is a good bowler.