UFC 5 - HUGHES VS GSP 1

UFC 5 - HUGHES VS GSP 1

The co-main event of UFC 50 featured a highly anticipated welterweight title fight between the reigning champion Matt Hughes and the undefeated rising star Georges St-Pierre. Hughes was the grizzled veteran, having already won and lost the 170-pound belt twice before. At 31 years old and sporting a 36-4 professional record, he was the overwhelming favorite against the 23-year-old St-Pierre.

Despite his youth and lack of experience, St-Pierre had quickly made a name for himself in the UFC with his blend of explosive striking and dominant wrestling. Entering the bout with a perfect 7-0 record, "Rush" had earned his title shot with impressive wins over Karo Parisyan, Jay Hieron, Frank Trigg. However, Hughes represented a massive step up in competition.

The French-Canadian challenger was a sizable underdog, but he embraced the role and vowed to shock the world by dethroning the welterweight king. Hughes scoffed at St-Pierre's confidence, insisting the young phenom was being fed to the wolves too soon. The veteran promised to quickly expose St-Pierre's flaws and brutally halt his meteoric rise up the ranks.

With the welterweight title on the line, the stage was set for a clash of generations between the established champion and the future of the division. All that remained was for Hughes and St-Pierre to settle their differences inside the Octagon.