This is the live blog for the UFC 98 grudge match between Matt Hughes and Matt Serra, where we'll have live, round-by-round updates of all the action. The fight should begin around 11:30 PM ET, and the live blog begins below.
Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra
Serra is on his way to the Octagon with the "Rocky" theme playing. Now Hughes is on his way to the Octagon.
Round 1: After more than two years of waiting, this fight is finally underway. No touch of gloves. Hughes comes out southpaw. Serra throws a couple punches and misses. Hughes is looking for a spot to go for a takedown. Serra knocks Hughes down! Serra has Hughes in trouble. Hughes goes for a leg and tries to take Serra down. Hughes is still rocked. Joe Rogan says Hughes was hurt by a head butt but I didn't actually see that. Hughes is now holding on to Serra and seems to have recovered. Hughes lands a knee to the body and he seems to have recovered. Serra had Hughes in big trouble but didn't finish him. Hughes missed with an uppercut. Serra with a good leg kick. Hughes with a kick to the body. Hughes takes Serra down and gets side control. And now Serra is in trouble on the ground. Hughes has Serra's back. And now they're back on their feet! Great escape by Serra. In a wild first round, I give it to Serra, 10-9.
Round 2: They're feeling each other out to start the round. Hughes goes inside for a takedown and throws Serra to the ground. Serra pulls Hughes into guard. Hughes passes into half guard. Good ground tactics by both fighters. Hughes is landing some nice strikes on the ground while inside Serra's half guard. Halfway through the fight, Hughes is in a good position on the ground. Hughes is landing a whole lot of punches but Serra doesn't look particularly hurt by any of them. Now Hughes lands a couple of big punches to Serra's face. Hughes is now smothering Serra as the clock winds down. They're stood up but only a few seconds left. Round 2 goes to Hughes, 10-9. That round definitely goes to Hughes.
Round 3: Serra comes out looking to strike, but now it's Hughes who swings, and then Hughes lands a knee. Serra looks frustrated on his feet, and Hughes lands a right hand. Hughes gets the takedown right into Serra's guard. Serra is hoping for an omoplata from the bottom. Hughes jerks his arm out. Serra is working the rubber guard from the bottom. Serra went for a triangle and an arm bar but wasn't able to get either. Hughes lands an elbow from the top. They stand up. Serra lands a left hand. Serra needs to land a big punch, right now Hughes is winning the round. Serra takes Hughes down and ends up in half guard. Serra lands a couple of punches on the ground. The round is over and I give it to Hughes, 10-9. They hugged at the end of the fight. That's a surprise. Matt Hughes beats Matt Serra by unanimous decision, 29-28 on all three judges' cards.
Hughes vs. Serra is over. Now please join us for the Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida live blog.
Fireworks in Las Vegas
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