UFC 63
UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on September 23, 2006. The event took place at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California and was broadcast live on pay-per-view in the United States and Canada.
Background
The event, originally subtitled "Hughes vs. St-Pierre," was scheduled to feature a UFC Welterweight Title match between champion Matt Hughes and Georges St-Pierre. Nevertheless, a groin injury—which was reported early in August, forced St-Pierre off the card. At first, St-Pierre sought a physiotherapist, hoping the injury would heal on its own during training; [1] however, it was later announced that St-Pierre would indeed withdraw from his long-awaited title shot. Taking his place was former UFC Welterweight Champion, B.J. Penn, who defeated Hughes in a championship fight in 2004, and was beaten by St-Pierre at UFC 58.
The co-main event saw 'The Crow' David Loiseau taking on Mike Swick in the middleweight division.
The Quad-City Times reported that Pat Miletich expressed outrage that the UFC had apparently scheduled this event alongside a bout he had forthcoming in the IFL, which caused him to miss cornering Hughes and Pulver, fighters whom he coaches, in their UFC matches.
Results
Preliminary card
* Lightweight bout: United States Tyson Griffin vs. England David Lee
Griffin wins by submission (rear naked choke) at 1:50 of round one. The fight, although preliminary, was aired on the broadcast.
* Lightweight bout: Brazil Jorge Gurgel vs. United States Danny Abbadi
Gurgel wins by split decision after three rounds. Judges scored the bout 29–28 (Abbadi), 29–28 (Gurgel) and 29–28 (Gurgel). This preliminary bout was not aired on the broadcast.
* Heavyweight bout: Brazil Mario Neto vs. United States Eddie Sanchez
Sanchez wins by knockout due to a punch at :17 of round two. Sanchez accepted the fight on short notice, replacing Gabriel Gonzaga. The fight, although preliminary, was aired on the broadcast.
* Lightweight bout: United States Roger Huerta vs. United States Jason Dent
Huerta wins by unanimous decision after three rounds. All three judges scored the bout 30–27. Dent came as a late replacement for Jason Reinhardt, who had pulled out of the card due to lingering medical concerns with his neck. This preliminary bout was not aired on the broadcast.
Main card
* Lightweight bout: United States Jens Pulver vs. United States Joe Lauzon
Lauzon wins by knockout due to strikes at :47 of round one.
* Light Heavyweight bout: United States Rashad Evans vs. United States Jason Lambert
Evans wins by knockout due to punches from the mounted position at 2:22 of round two.
* Lightweight bout: United States Melvin Guillard vs. United States Gabe Ruediger
Guillard wins by TKO due to a body punch at 1:01 of round two.
* Middleweight bout: United States Mike Swick vs. Canada David Loiseau
Swick wins by unanimous decision. All three judges scored the bout 29–28.
* Welterweight championship bout: United States Matt Hughes vs. United States B.J. Penn
Hughes wins by TKO due to strikes at 3:53 of round three.
