UFC 38: What happened when Matt Hughes clashed with Carlos Newton?

UFC 38 was the first ever UFC card to take place in the United Kingdom and the first card to take place outside of the United States since UFC 29 back in December 2000.

The July 2002 card, hailing from the famed, Royal Albert Hall, featured a Welterweight Championship match between Matt Hughes and number one contender, Carlos Newton.

The headline collision was a terrific encounter, albeit one which was dominated by the champion. The pair traded takedowns and strikes but Hughes was the much more effective at both. Hughes shocked many when he attempted submissions against noted submission specialist, Newton.

Hughes was not able to lock any in but did manage to trap Newton in the mount. From there, the champion rained down punches for the TKO victory in the fourth round.

Your winner and still Welterweight Champion, Matt Hughes.

Matt Hughes nails his challenger, Carlos Newton with a leg kick

The co-main event was a battle between the new breed and experience as the unbeaten youngster, Frank Mir clashed with British veteran, Ian Freeman.

For those fans who in 2018 know Mir as a UFC legend and former Heavyweight Champion; the outcome and manner of this fight will surprise many but Freeman absolutely mauled Mir.

Freeman blasted Mir with heavy right hands and took him down in the mount. Mir tried to work a submission from his guard but could not prevent the heavy shots raining down on him. Freeman made a right mess of Mir's face until the referee called the fight off. Freeman won in front of his own crowd, sending them into a frenzy.

Frank Mir is schooled by veteran, Ian Freeman

Mark Weir knocked out Eugene Jackson in just 10 seconds. The Brit thrilled his home crowd with that one. A big right hand was all she wrote.

Genki Sudo beat Leigh Remedios in a match that is best remembered for Sudo's flying triangle attempt. Here's betting that no one watching had seen that before. Unfortunately, Sudo didn't quite get it but dominated the fight with some excellent wrestling and judo throws before locking in the match-winning choke.

Philip Miller defeated James Zikic in an entertaining bout which was the perfect choice to open the card. The Brit, Zikic was well supported by the London crowd. He landed a huge knee to Miller in the second round. Not wanting to enter a standing fight with Zikic, Miller took things down to the mat where the pair traded submission attempts as the action hotted up.

Zikic looked the more likely to win in the final round as Miller gassed but the buzzer saved the day and Miller edged a decision win due to his ground control but it was close as Zikic definitely played his part.

UFC 38 was another important step in UFC's re-growth as a promotion with this event being it's first in the UK, which would prove to be a hugely lucrative market for the company. The action was strong as well. The event pulled 45,000 buys on pay per view.