UFC 112 Picks: Renzo Gracie vs Matt Hughes UFC 112 Odds & Predictions: With two UFC title fights on the line, many people are overlooking the co-co-co-main event bout between two legends of the MMA world. Fighting in the welterweight division, two of the most experienced and prominent 170-pounders in the history of the sport face off when 43-year-old Renzo Gracie [+280 ML] takes on former UFC welterweight champ and 36-year-old Matt Hughes [-360 ML].
Since I know everyone’s confused about when this event will take place, I can assure you that UFC 112 can be seen LIVE on pay-per-view beginning at 1 PM ET (12 PM CT/10 AM PT) and again at 10 PM ET (tape delayed). For those looking to watch the weigh-ins for UFC 112, those have already happened, and fortunately everyone made weight. This UFC 112 event takes place at the Concert Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
It’s really hard to believe that this will be the first time these seasoned vets will meet face-to-face in their storied careers. There’s no question that these guys bring great standup to the cage, but an even better ground game. The American, Hughes is a well-decorated wrestler in his own right with an underrated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu game. Not to mention the legendary, Renzo, who brings to this fight a 6th degree black belt in the art his family made famous all over the world: BJJ.
It’s going to be interesting to see how these guys come in after a rigorous training camp now that recovery seems to slow down considering their age. Hughes is hoping that he’s not the only struggling with the aches from constant and intense training. “I like the fact that he’s a little older than me,” Hughes said. “I’m feeling my age and I’m sure hoping he’s feeling his age. I like that.”
No one needs this fight more than Hughes, who was once considered the most dominant welterweight ever, but comes in just 2-3 in his last five bouts. For Gracie, he would like nothing more than to make his UFC debut by avenging the embarrassing loss Hughes handed his cousin, Royce Gracie at UFC 60.
“I’ve had a lot of changes in my life the last five years,” Hughes said. “I became a Christian. I got married five years ago. Three-and-a-half years ago, I watched my daughter be born. Three months ago, I watched another daughter be born. When you see that in real life, and you’re around kids all day – I’m around my kids, because I love my kids and I love nothing more than being around them – I’m not the same fighter. I can’t possibly be.
“It used to be, when I walked into the ring, that person across the ring was lucky I didn’t rip his arm off and start beating him with it. That’s the way I felt. I’m just not that aggressive any more where I want to tear somebody’s head off. I’m 36 years old now. I would say I’ve turned into a more technical fighter than a nasty fighter.”
