Issue 141
May 2016
Matt Hughes defeats MMA legend Royce Gracie at the biggest UFC event yet
Six months after the legalization of mixed martial in California, the UFC brought out the big guns for its debut in the City of Angels. At the top of the bill 10 years ago was a Hall of Famer returning to the house he built for the first time in 11 years: Royce Gracie. His showdown with 170lb champ Matt Hughes was the biggest MMA pay-per-view to date, attracting 620,000 buys and more than $20 million in revenue.
But this wasn’t a happy homecoming for the Octagon pioneer as Hughes overpowered him, smashed him into the mat and signaled the passing of the torch. The game’s past master had been surpassed by the sport’s new breed of super athlete.
Date: May 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
