Matt Hughes Confims Bout With Renzo Gracie On April 10, 2010

By Raj Giri | December 11, 2009

Almost four years after former two-time UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes defeated Royce Gracie at UFC 60: Hughes vs. Gracie, Hughes will be facing Gracie family member Renzo Gracie on April 10 at the UFC's first-ever trip in Abu Dhabi. White confirmed the bout during yesterday's UFC 107 pre-fight press conference and Hughes confirmed that announcement on his website.

"I didn't know if I could say anything about my next fight, but I see that Dana has let the cat out of the bag," Hughes wrote on his website. "So I can tell you what I know. On April 10, I will be fighting Renzo Gracie in Abu Dhabi. I haven't signed any paperwork, and I don't think Renzo has either. But I think this fight is going to happen."

UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta had stated last month that they would be signing the forty-two year old Gracie. Gracie hasn't fought since earning a disqualification victory over Frank Shamrock at EliteXC: Destiny in February of 2007. Prior to that bout, he was coming off of victories over Pat Miletich and Carlos Newton in the IFL.

Hughes has been 3-3 since defeating Royce Gracie at UFC 60, and last competed at UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida this past May, where the future Hall of Famer defeated rival Matt Serra via unanimous decision.

Stay tuned to FightLine.com for more details on this fight.