Josh Koscheck accepts UFC 135 bout with Matt Hughes, awaits official word
Diego Sanchez's loss could be Josh Koscheck's gain.
Koscheck (15-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC), who hasn't fought since a December title loss to welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre due to a broken orbital bone, tweeted that he's accepted Sanchez's spot on this month's UFC 135 card.
Sanchez (23-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) recently pulled out of a fight with Matt Hughes (45-8 MMA, 18-6 UFC) due a broken hand. Koscheck now awaits word from Hughes on whether he'll accept the bout.
UFC 135 takes place Sept. 24 at Denver's Pepsi Center. A title fight between light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson headlines the pay-per-view main card.
Hughes and Sanchez were slated for the co-main event, and if Koscheck officially takes the spot, it'll likely retain co-headlining status.
Koscheck earned his title shot after winning three straight fights and four of five. The victories came over the likes of Anthony Johnson and Paul Daley. However, "The Ultimate Fighter 1" cast member and former NCAA Division I national wrestling champion then suffered a one-sided decision loss to St-Pierre in his first-ever title shot. He's been recovering since the UFC 124 defeat and received clearance to resume full training a month ago, though he's remained active even during the recovery.
Meanwhile, Hughes hasn't fought since November 2010, when he suffered a quick, 21-second knockout to B.J. Penn. Hughes, who long had been considered the best welterweight in MMA history, briefly contemplated retirement in 2008 following back-to-back losses to St-Pierre and Thiago Alves. However, while fighting only occasionally, the UFC Hall of Famer had put together a three-fight win streak with victories over Matt Serra, Renzo Gracie and Ricardo Almeida before the recent Penn loss.
