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#5 Matt Hughes vs Frank Trigg 2
A lot of people would not consider this a pivotal fight in the history of the UFC. But, there are the fights that get you interested in the sport and then there are the fights that transform you into a lifelong fan. Hughes vs. Trigg 2 checks all the boxes on that scale.
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Set in a stage where UFC was popular but not nearly on a level it is now, this was a time when the game plans were still being rounded out, techniques being polished and a new generation of MMA fighters was upon us. But as these baby boomers were about to let the millennials know, it was not going to be an easy stride by any measure.
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When UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes got the call to fight Frank Trigg, a man he had faced and defeated before, he was not amused. Hughes despised Trigg and did not respect his presence inside and outside the Octagon.
As the fight took place, Trigg came in aggressively, catching Hughes early and then dominating him in the clinch with knees to the head and body but as Hughes sought to reverse the position, Trigg "accidently" hit him with a knee in the groin area.
Hughes tried to point the incident to the referee but the situation eluded completely. Unable to even stand up, Hughes continued to take the onslaught of Trigg and found himself mounted.
Quickly switching positions and taking Hughes’ back, Trigg locked in a rear naked choke that had Hughes’ face extremely red with a possible neck crank. Hughes somehow miraculously survived the choke and by being conservative with his energy, got into a more dominant position.
Then out of nowhere, Hughes, even after getting knocked down and being battered with punches, managed to find enough strength to literally pick up Trigg and carry him across the length of the Octagon, ending with a vicious slam. A move that has found its way on many highlight reels through the years.
Hughes then went on to choke Trigg out in what could be called one of the best comeback stories in all of MMA.
Much like the Griffin and Bonnar fight, this fight converted a lot of casual spectators into hardcore fans and established the sport's entertainment value on not only in standup but also on the ground.
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