UFC 79: NEMESIS

UFC 79: NEMESIS
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Distributed by Canadastar Boxing Inc.
To Canadian Commercial Establishments
On Closed Circuit-Pay Per View

THE BOUT: LIDDELL Vs. SILVA

FINALLY, TWO LEGENDS MEET
CHUCK LIDDELL Vs. WANDERLEI SILVA

For years, UFC® fight fans have speculated about the outcome of a historic dream match up between two legendary figures in the sport of mixed martial arts, Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva. Dana White, UFC President, announced at the Spike TV's 2007 Scream Awards, that this dream will finally become a reality when UFC and PRIDE former champions, Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell and "The Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva face each other at UFC 79: NEMESIS live from the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, December 29, 2007.

"Chuck and Wanderlei - two legends in the sport - will face off in the most important match of their careers at UFC 79," said Dana White. "Chuck and Wanderlei have both wanted this fight for as long as they can remember, and this is definitely the fight that fans have waited for years to see. Finally, PRIDE's mos dangerous striker will face the UFC's most dangerous striker, and the world will know after years of speculation who will win and who will lose the fight."

Liddell (20-5), considered by many to be the greatest light heavyweight fighter of all time, reigned as the 205-pound UFC champion for over three years. He knocked out seven opponents in seven consecutive fights, including Randy Couture (twice), Vernon White, Jeremy Horn, Renato "Babalu" Sobral and Tito Ortiz (twice), before he was defeated by Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 71 in May. Chuck now returns to the Octagon to face the fighter he has wanted to fight for years - Wanderlei Silva.

"I'm excited this fight with Wanderlei is finally happening," said Liddell. "I've been saying for a long time that, given the chance, I would knock Wanderlei Silva out. I think this will be a great fight for the fans, and one that lives up to their expectations, because I'm going to hit him until he falls down and stays down."

The 31-year old Silva (31-7-1), known by fight fans as "The Axe Murderer" for his ultra-aggressive style and finishing ability, began his career almost 11 years ago in his native Brazil, fighting in Vale Tudo bouts that pushed him to the limit as he honed the skills that would soon make him one of the most feared fighters on the planet. He met great success by winning the PRIDE organization's middleweight championship and defeating the likes of current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Quinton Jackson (twice), Dan Henderson, Kazushi Sakuraba (three times), Ricardo Arona, Hidehiko Yoshida, and Kazuyuki Fujita, while engaging in some of the most memorable fights in MMA history. Well-rested after his February PRIDE fight against Dan Henderson, Silva is ready to take on Liddell and secure the most important victory of his mixed-martial arts career.

"I've wanted to fight Chuck for a long time," said Silva. "I think about this fight a lot, our styles are very similar - we are both great strikers. I'm training very hard, because I want to give my next victory to my fans. After I beat Chuck, then I want to fight the champion."

In addition to Liddell vs. Silva, UFC 79 features the main event welterweight championship match up between UFC champion Matt Serra (16-4) and former UFC champion, Matt Hughes (43-5).

Current UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra, fresh off his knockout victory over Georges St-Pierre in April, looks to defend his title for the first time against the legendary Hughes and secure his own legacy in the UFC 170-pound division. Hughes, a two-time UFC champion with seven combined title defenses to his name, has a deadly ground game that has earned wins over St-Pierre, Chris Lytle, Royce Gracie, and Frank Trigg (twice).