The main event of the evening will pit welterweight champion Georges “Rush” St-Pierre (13-1-0) against top contender Matt “The Terror” Serra (15-4-0). Serra is best known for winning “The Ultimate Fighter 4” competition. Serra has also gained fame for his ability to make opponents submit with a variety of ground moves. At 32 years old, the New York native is probably nearing the end of his career, so he hopes to make the best of this championship shot.St-Pierre won his championship in his last match when he defeated the believed to be unbeatable Matt Hughes.
Hughes has an incredible record in the UFC and in Mixed Martial Arts, where he had won 43 of 48 documented bouts. The victory for St-Pierre over Hughes was sweet redemption, because back in the fall of 2004 Hughes had forced him to submit before the end of round one. Pierre obviously took that fight as a learning experience. He was still a relatively new comer to the world of UFC when they first fought and Hughes was in his prime. If St-Pierre is victorious against Serra, which he is a favorite to do, it is expected he will face Hughes in a rubber match.In the main support bout of the evening, undefeated welterweight prospect Diego “The Nightmare” Sanchez (19-0-0) will take on once beaten Josh “Kos” Koscheck (9-1-0).
Sanchez won the second season of the show “The Ultimate Fighter.” Sanchez is considered by most UFC pundits to not only be the best welterweight prospect in the world, but the best prospect, period. If Sanchez is able to get past the rough and tough fighting style of Koscheck, he may very well be in line to fight St-Pierre for his welterweight championship.
Rounding off the card will be middleweight Houston native Mike “Quick” Swick (10-1-0) taking on one of the best fighters Japan has to offer in Yushin Okami (20-3-0). Okami is known for his thunderous knockout power, but will have to bring his best, because Swick will have the support of the hometown crowd in his corner.Also, two of the better lightweight contenders in the world will square off in a fight to possibly determine a future championship challenger. Leonard Garcia (13-1-0), also a Houston native, looks to defeat tough Roger Huerta. Huerta is only 23, but has already fought 20 times, losing once, and drawing once.
Starting off the event will be 6’6 middleweight, Kendall Grove (9-3-0) looking to move up the rankings by beating Alan Belcher (9-2-0). The Hawaiian native Grove has built up quite a following in the short time he has been in the sport. It is expected he will bring a lot of friends and family to cheer him on.
UFC 69 Weigh-in Results
All fighters made their contracted weight Friday in Houston, Texas for UFC 69 "Shootout."
UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre looked chiseled as he stepped on the scales at 169.5 pounds. Challenger Matt Serra looked relieved as he also came in under the limit at 169.5-lbs.
The afternoon's only friction came between welterweight contenders Diego Sanchez and Josh Koscheck . Sanchez, the champion of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, mouthed some harsh words at his opponent then pushed the 29-year-old Pennsylvania native. Cooler heads prevailed and both fighters left the stage without further conflict.
UFC 69 "Shootout" Weigh-in Results |
| Josh Haynes (171) vs. Luke Cummo (170) |
| Marcus Davis (169.5) vs. Pete Spratt (170.5) |
| Thales Leites (186) vs. Pete Sell (186) |
| Brad Imes (260.5) vs. Heath Herring (245) |
| Leonard Garcia (154.5) vs. Roger Huerta (155) |
| Alan Belcher (184) vs. Kendall Grove (185.5) |
| Yushin Okami (184) vs. Mike Swick (184) |
| Josh Koscheck (170.5) vs. Diego Sanchez (168.5) |
| Matt Serra (169.5) vs. Georges St. Pierre (169.5) |
