• UFC

Hughes to fight Sanchez, not Gracie

ESPN staff
April 28, 2011
Former UFC champion Matt Hughes is heading back to the Octagon © UFC
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For all the latest UFC talking points, including debate over whether Georges St-Pierre has surpassed Matt Hughes' achievements, don't miss the latest ESPN UFC Podcast

The UFC has confirmed Matt Hughes' next opponent will be Diego Sanchez, which all-but-ends talk of a potential Royce Gracie v Hughes collision at UFC Rio.

UFC president Dana White revealed: "A matchup between two welterweight fan favourites has been verbally agreed as Diego 'The Dream" Sanchez will face former UFC welterweight champion and Hall of Famer Matt Hughes."

A date has not been set for the bout, but it brings together a legend in Hughes - who is coming off a defeat to BJ Penn - and an Octagon warrior in Sanchez - who put on one of the fights of the year against Martin Kampmann last time out.

White had said in the build-up to UFC 129 that he was undecided on a potential comeback for Gracie, revealing the Brazilian was desperate to fight Hughes at UFC Rio.

That bout will surely not happen now that Hughes has agreed to meet Sanchez, in a fight expected to take place during the summer.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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