Round 3 - The fighters remain patient early in the third. Each takes a turn with punches that miss. Hughes charges forward for the clinch. Serra initially defends, but Hughes turns him around so he can't use the cage and drives forward to put Serra on his back. Serra goes high with a leg and tied up one of Hughes' arms before he waves at the cameras. The pace again slows as a stalemate ensues on the ground. Hughes postures up and gets trapped in a triangle. Serra can't hold out, and Hughes easily breaks free before dropping back into half guard. Serra clings to his opponent to get the restart. Back to the center of the cage. Hughes lands the second part of a combo but has little behind it. Hughes jabs and Serra taunts him briefly by sticking his chin out. The fighters clinch in the center of the cage before Serra throws Hughes and sends him airborne into the mat. Serra rains down blows, takes his opponent's back as Hughes tries to get to his feet, but he runs out of time. MMAjunkie.com scores the final round 10-9 for Hughes.
Matt Hughes def. Matt Serra via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)