UFC 30th Anniversary
First UFC Event In The UK | UFC 38: Brawl At The Hall
On The Eve Of Our Return To England For UFC 286, We Flash Back To Our First Visit Across The Pond In 2002
On The Eve Of Our Return To England For UFC 286: Edwards vs Usman 3, We Flash Back To Our First Visit Across The Pond In 2002
UFC 38: Brawl at the Hall
July 13, 2002
Royal Albert Hall
London, England
Evan Tanner WUD3 Chris Haseman
Renato Sobral WUD3 Elvis Sinosic
Phillip Miller WUD3 James Zikic
Genki Sudo Wsub2 (rear naked choke – 1:38) Leigh Remedios
Mark Weir KO1 (:10) Eugene Jackson
Ian Freeman TKO1 (4:35) Frank Mir
Matt Hughes TKO4 (3:27) Carlos Newton (UFC welterweight title)
The first welterweight title bout between Matt Hughes and Carlos Newton ended in controversy, but the new champion made sure there was none the second time around in the main event of UFC 38, as he defended his crown for the second time with a dominant fourth-round TKO of “The Ronin” in the UFC’s first visit to England.
Hughes had knocked out Newton with a slam to win the 170-pound title at UFC 34 in 2001, but some speculated that Newton had first put Hughes to sleep with a triangle choke seconds before the end. There would be no doubts in the rematch.
After a slow beginning, it was Newton surprisingly shooting for the takedown, but Hughes was able to reverse the attempt and get on top. Newton almost locked up the champion’s arm from the bottom, yet Hughes powered out and began working his strikes. Newton stayed busy, and so did Hughes, who was continually moving and using his shoulders, elbows and forearms to avoid a referee standup.
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Hughes closed the distance quickly in round two, and the bout returned to the mat. Newton scrambled his way free and got back to his feet, Hughes stayed close though and put the challenger on his back again. From here, it was just a case of Hughes dominating on the mat and Newton trying in vain to escape. At the end of the round, Hughes began unleashing a ferocious series of elbows, cutting his foe in the process.
First Event In The UK | UFC 38: Brawl At The Hall
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First Event In The UK | UFC 38: Brawl At The Hall
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Newton had a brief window of opportunity when the third opened as Hughes missed a high kick, but seconds later, he was taken down. Newton gamely looked to turn things around with a submission, but the champion’s offense and defense were on point. With under two minutes left, Hughes got the mount position and fired away with strikes, but there was no stoppage. Hughes even showed off some more aspects of his game as he went for an armbar, but Newton escaped and took Hughes’ back. Time ran out on “The Ronin,” though, killing his best comeback attempt.
Keeping it simple, Hughes took Newton down to start the fourth, and he patiently punished the challenger. With less than two minutes remaining, Newton got trapped, and after a series of unanswered blows, referee John McCarthy halted the bout at the 3:37 mark.
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In the co-feature, unbeaten young gun Frank Mir got a rude welcome to England by local hero Ian Freeman, who scored an emotional first-round TKO win in a stunning upset.
The 23-year-old Mir, a submission specialist, traded with Freeman early, but then wisely went to the mat to look for the tap out. Freeman weathered the grappling attacks though and began teeing off on his foe at close range when they stood. After the assault of knees, Mir got another takedown, this time looking to lock up the Brit’s ankle. But the 35-year-old veteran pounded his way loose. With the crowd roaring, Freeman continued to score, and with under a minute left, Mir lost his mouthpiece. McCarthy halted the bout to put the mouthpiece back in, but Mir could barely stand, forcing the stoppage with 25 seconds left in the round.
Another Battlin’ Brit, Mark Weir, also sent his home country fans home happy as he knocked out veteran Eugene Jackson in just 10 seconds.
The two other British fighters on the main card weren’t as fortunate though, as debuting Japanese star Genki Sudo submitted Leigh Remedios via rear naked choke at 1:38 of round two, and the United States’ Phillip Miller scored a unanimous decision win over James Zikic.
Two of Australia’s top MMA fighters also had a rough night, with former world title challenger Elvis Sinosic dropping a unanimous decision to Renato “Babalu” Sobral and late replacement Chris Haseman losing a three-round nod to Evan Tanner.
Fight of the Night (unofficial) – Ian Freeman TKO1 Frank Mir
Knockout of the Night (unofficial) – Mark Weir KO1 Eugene Jackson
Submission of the Night (unofficial) – Genki Sudo Wsub2 Leigh Remedios
Debuts – Mark Weir, Genki Sudo, Leigh Remedios, James Zikic, Phillip Miller, Chris Haseman
One Hit Wonders – Leigh Remedios, James Zikic, Chris Haseman
