Part IV
*originally published in the Nov ’01 issue of Full Contact Fighter*
In what will go down in history as the first almost-double knockout in the Octagon, Carlos Newton met up with Matt Hughes to battle for the welterweight belt. Coming off a win against Pat Miletich, Newton promised excitement – something he’s always specialized in throughout his long MMA career. Hughes, seeking revenge for Miletich’s loss, would certainly add to that excitement.
Though Hughes’ entrance was to Kid Rock’s “American Badass”, it seemed mild when compared to Newton’s. To the music of Destiny’s Child, Newton and his trainers wore huge afro-wigs, and grooved with Playboy model Angelica Bridges. Ever the entertainer, Newton was already making this match memorable. Then, as Big John McCarthy shouted “Let’s get it on!” the battle was joined.
Both fighters had promised a stand-up fight at pre-show interviews. However, that was not to be, for when Hughes threw the first punch and connected, Newton fell to guard. The former All-American wrestler followed, and after a few moments was reversed. Completely mounted, Hughes remained calm, and the Canadian was unable to score or try a submission. A scramble brought them back to their feet, where Hughes unleashed his trademark move: a big slam. The crowd cheered. Newton managed to get guard, and after another scramble, Hughes finished out the round landing heavy punches on the welterweight champ. For all his craftiness, Newton was getting the worst of it, though everyone knew he could win at any time with a magical submission.
Round two began with another hard right by Hughes, followed by another powerful slam. From within Newton’s guard, the Miletich protégé punched, but found himself caught in a triangle choke. With his opponent’s legs getting tighter, Hughes did the unexpected: he lifted Newton up into the air, carried him to the edge of the Octagon and held him suspended against the fence. Undaunted, Newton continued the choke, pulling his legs even tighter. In a last-ditch effort, and a stroke of brilliance, Hughes did another slam… and Carlos Newton was knocked out. Big John rushed in and disentangled them. Hughes, dazed and nearly unconscious, quickly came to his senses. Celebrating his victory with an ecstatic Miletich, Jeremy Horn, and twin Mark Hughes, the new welterweight champ was virtually speechless. His victory had come at one minute and twenty-seconds in the second round.
“I’m at a loss for words,” he said in the ring. “This is a lifelong dream come true. This is awesome. I can’t even believe this is happening! I feel like I’m in a dream, and it’s simply awesome.”
Newton was revived, only to be told he had lost. “I thought when I choked him, that was the reason we fell to the ground. I thought were both knocked out. But I was wrong.”
Back in the locker room, Matt Hughes went over the play-by play. “We didn’t train for a triangle. I made the mistake there in diving into the triangle. He didn’t do anything fabulous – it was my mistake that got him the triangle.” Did he realize the danger he was in? “He had it sunk in good.” Had Hughes, known for his strength and power, expected to knock Carlos Newton out? “I didn’t know I’d knock him out. I just wanted to break the hold. I backed up, slammed him down, and then he was out. End of the story.” As Hughes saw it, the slam was his last resort.
It was an amazing fight, and an amazing outcome. The show, very nearly at its end, was turning out to be one of the most exciting ever.
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