The MMA world has been abuzz since the fight was announced in January of 2006, and hours of debate have been ignited. Could Royce Gracie, the man who once dominated the UFC in the early to mid ‘90s, in such overwhelming fashion, compete in the UFC of 2006, against the most dominate welterweight of our time?
The wait was over and all the questions were answered in brutal fashion Saturday night in Los Angeles at the Staples Center when, in the main event of UFC 60, UFC world welterweight champion Matt Hughes scored a first round TKO over Royce Gracie at 4:39 of the opening round.
As the pre-fight electricity fizzled into anxious anticipation, both Hughes and Gracie appeared composed as they took to the center of the Octagon. Though Gracie had an apparent height advantage, Hughes quickly erased that factor by clinching Gracie and driving him into the Octagon wall. Following a brief struggle for control, Hughes scored a trademark takedown, putting Gracie on his back allowing Hughes to take side control.
Remaining under control, Hughes began to secure a kimura shoulder lock. Despite his arm being wrenched back horribly, Gracie proved his worth by escaping the hold. Hughes, displaying what could become known as the visible difference between 1993 and 2006, quickly took the back of his opponent and pounded the legendary Gracie mercilessly with no answer until referee “Big� John McCarthy halted the contest at 4:39 of round one.
