UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra (8-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) will make his first-ever title defense against former champ Matt Hughes (41-5 MMA, 15-3 UFC) at a November pay-per-view event in New Jersey not at The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale.

Thats the word from a subscriber-only Wrestling Observer report.

Serra and Hughes, coaches who are currently taping the welterweights-only sixth season of The Ultimate Fighter, were expected to fight on the shows live finale in December. The finales usually air for free on Spike TV. Instead, the Serra vs. Hughes fight will likely headline a UFC event that comes with a pay-per-view price tag.

The event which looks as though itll be UFC 79 is expected to take place in November at the Continental Airlines Arena (aka Meadowlands Arena) in East Rutherford, N.J.

Back in May, UFCjunkie.com (www.ufcjunkie.com) posted a story stating that UFC president Dana White expected the UFC to hold an event in New Jersey in October or November of this year.

The UFC hasnt held an event in New Jersey since Atlantic Citys UFC 53: Heavy Hitters in June 2005.

Serra, who won the title by upsetting Georges St. Pierre at UFC 69 in April, currently lives in East Meadow, N.Y. and should be a major draw for the event. Continental Airlines Arena can accommodate more than 20,000 spectators.

The Ultimate Fighter 6 is expected to finish taping next month and will debut in September on Spike TV.


I'd like to see Kos and Serra win but can't see it happening.  Kos maybe, but if Hughes gets Serra off his feet, then its game over.  At least they are not waiting until after TUF6 to do this otherwise the Welterweight Division would be in limbo until Feb/March.  And this is probably the UFCs best/deepest division.