UFC 42: Hughes Outlasts Sherk as Rich Franklin Stops Tanner

December 4, 2023 632 Views by

UFC 42: Sudden Impact brought the Octagon to Miami’s American Airlines Arena on April 25, 2003. The UFC’s first Florida event paired welterweight champion Matt Hughes with unbeaten challenger Sean Sherk, while Rich Franklin made his promotional debut against Evan Tanner. Hughes kept his championship over five rounds, and Franklin announced his arrival with a first-round finish.

Hughes holds off Sherk over five rounds

The main event matched two accomplished wrestlers in a contest that demanded sustained control rather than a single spectacular finish. Sherk had reached his title opportunity without a professional defeat, but Hughes established an advantage on the mat and made the challenger work to recover position. Sherk remained competitive and had his own successful takedowns, ensuring the champion could not coast through the fight.

Hughes reasserted control during the championship rounds and finished the contest in the stronger position. After 25 minutes, all three judges favored him. It was his fourth successful welterweight title defense, extending a championship run that had begun against Carlos Newton at UFC 34. Sherk suffered his first professional loss, but made Hughes earn a decision rather than surrendering to a stoppage.

Franklin arrives with a win over Tanner

Franklin’s UFC debut came at light heavyweight, against Tanner—not in a middleweight championship bout. He stopped Tanner with punches at 2:40 of the first round. Viewed in hindsight, the pairing is especially notable because both men would later hold the UFC middleweight championship. In Miami, however, it was a non-title fight that gave Franklin an immediate foothold in the promotion.

The other prominent welterweight contest ended unexpectedly. Pete Spratt defeated Robbie Lawler when an injury forced Lawler to submit in the second round. The result ended Lawler’s unbeaten professional start and gave Spratt an important victory. Dave Strasser also won at welterweight, taking a unanimous decision over Romie Aram.

Lightweights and newcomers shape the undercard

Duane Ludwig earned a decision over Genki Sudo in a meeting of striking and submission skills. Their bout became controversial after a pause to inspect Ludwig’s cuts was followed by a standing restart, costing Sudo the advantageous ground position he had held. Ludwig remained the official winner; the restart became part of the fight’s lasting discussion.

Hermes Franca’s victory over Richard Crunkilton was a unanimous decision at lightweight. David Loiseau stopped Mark Weir in a middleweight bout, while Wesley Correira finished Sean Alvarez at heavyweight. Those results rounded out an eight-fight card that mixed decisions, striking finishes and Lawler’s injury stoppage.

UFC 42: Sudden Impact full results

  • Welterweight title: Matt Hughes def. Sean Sherk by unanimous decision after five rounds — Hughes retained the title.
  • Pete Spratt def. Robbie Lawler by submission (injury), Round 2, 2:28.
  • Dave Strasser def. Romie Aram by unanimous decision.
  • Wesley Correira def. Sean Alvarez by TKO (punches), Round 2, 1:46.
  • Rich Franklin def. Evan Tanner by TKO (punches), Round 1, 2:40.
  • Duane Ludwig def. Genki Sudo by unanimous decision.
  • Hermes Franca def. Richard Crunkilton by unanimous decision.
  • David Loiseau def. Mark Weir by KO (punches), Round 1, 3:55.

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UFC 42, Matt Hughes, Sean Sherk, Rich Franklin, Evan Tanner, Welterweight Championship, UFC, MMA

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by Oscar Madison - Dec 4, 2023

by Oscar Madison - Dec 4, 2023