The old saying "losing builds character, winning builds confidence" showed up on this week's episode the moment Matt Hughes walked in the training center door. He is confident. He is the champion. He is a winner. He is the "man."
His walk shows it. His talk shows it. Matt Hughes walks the talk, and Georges St. Pierre knows it.
Also, for the semi-finalists who now have to prepare for their bouts against more evenly matched opponents, the difference between walk and talk could make all the difference.
Matt Hughes' presence was felt immediately in the training center when he walked in unannounced in this week's episode. Viewers understood this immediately when the camera cut to Georges St. Pierre's face. At the time of taping, they would have still been matched up for their UFC 63 encounter. No matter, though. Now that they're matched up for UFC 65, it's the same effect.
Although Matt tries to appear jocular and easy going, there's no hiding the bite behind his banter, mostly directed at Georges.
Now, you have two choices when an opponent calls you out: either you meet his challenge head on or you avoid it. Georges chose the latter, and left the training session, leaving Matt Hughes and Chuck Liddell, still around from last week, to spar with the semi-finalists.
Matt and Chuck, along with the TUF 4 coaches and Dana White, made up the panel that would interview the semi-finalist to help assess potential match-ups.
One by one, the fighters were called in and asked who they thought their opponents should be. Each gave their opinion. It was a chance for viewers to see who had the walk and who had the talk.
Fighter's Opinion:
Matt Serra: Give me Shonie. I'm asking you for this fight.
Shonie Carter: Give me Din because I beat Matt and Chris already.
Din Thomas: Give me Chris. It's gonna be an exciting fight.
Chris Lytle: They're all tough match-ups. I'll take anyone.
Patrick Cote: Give me Bam Bam, it'll be a good fight.
Pete Sell: Patrick and I have become friends, give me Travis.
Edwin DeWees: Give me Patrick. It's what I want least, but it's the best fight.
Travis Lutter: I'll fight anyone you put in front of me.
Walk or Talk Translation:
Matt Serra: Walk. He knows what he wants.
Shonie Carter: Cool Talk. Bling, bling.
Din Thomas: Sales Talk. Who's he trying to convince?
Chris Lytle: Walk. Spurs jangling. Draw partner.
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1 - Joan Hunt
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