UFC 63: Are You Impressed?

Matt Hughes vs. B.J. Penn (Photo: mixfight.nl)

UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn – Anaheim, Calif. – Arrowhead Pond – Sept. 23, 2006

Matt Hughes avenged his only loss in 20 fights when he beat B.J. Penn at UFC 63.

Hughes retained the UFC welterweight title over “The Prodigy” on a TKO in Round 3. He avenged the loss of his title to Penn two years earlier at UFC 46.

Georges St. Pierre was supposed to challenge Hughes for title, but he had to drop out of the fight due to a groin injury.

GSP came into the cage after the fight and told Hughes, “I’m not impressed with your performance.”

Take my money – I’m ready to see that fight!

Mike Swick beat David Loiseau in a middleweight, as all three judges scored the bout 29-28.

“The Young Assassin” Melvin Guillard punched Gabe Ruediger in the body, and that was enough to stop him by TKO in the Round 2.

Rashad “Suga” Evans knocked out Jason Lambert in the second round.; and Joe Lauzon won his Octagon debut over Jens “Lil Evil” Pulver by TKO in 48 seconds.

Roger Huerta, who would appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated one year later, also won his UFC debut over Jason Dent by unanimous decision.

In other preliminary bouts, Eddie Sanchez knocked out Mario Neto early in Round 2; Jorge Gurgel won a split decision over Danny Abbadi; and Tyson Griffin beat David Lee with a rear naked choke in 1:50.