The ninth fight of the night, and co-main event of UFC 135 is a welterweight contest, Matt Hughes vs. Josh Koscheck. Hughes (45-8) enters to Octagon for the first time since suffering a 21 second knockout at the hands of B.J. Penn in November of last year. Similarly, Koscheck (15-5) returns to the UFC after an extended injury layoff following his loss to welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre at UFC 124. The referee is charge of the action is Mario Yamasaki.
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ROUND 1 - Both fighters open with wide stances. Hughes initiates with a pair of jabs. Koscheck backs away and paws his left hand out. Hughes lunges forward with a straight left, but Koscheck answers with a stiff combination. Hughes connects with another left hook, and again. Koscheck presses forward but his eye is starting to swell. Hughes is opening up with his jab. The Hall of Famer advances and sneaks in an uppercut followed by a knee. A minute remains in the round. Koscheck presses forward and catches Hughes with a series of big right hands. Hughes looks shaky and "Kos" throws Hughes to the ground. Koscheck rains blows down as the round comes to a close. One last shot and Hughes appears to be out. The horn sounds but this one is over.
UFC 135 results: Josh Koscheck defeats Matt Hughes via knockout (strikes) at 4:59 of round 1.