Saturday will bring the much-anticipated and (still) aptly named UFC 79: Nemesis. Initially, the event was supposed to feature a pair of fights that had been building for more than a year. But that was before welterweight champion Matt Serra injured his back in late November forcing UFC President Dana White to spend “five hours on suicide watch” while considering a new opponent for Matt Hughes. Georges St. Pierre – the man who took the welterweight title from Hughes and lost it to Serra – stepped up and, in the end, White may have found a more compelling fight.

In the co-main event, former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell will fight former Pride champion Wanderlei Silva. Also, the card is notable for the UFC debut of Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou against light heavyweight contender Lyoto Machida.

HUGHES-ST. PIERRE

This will be the rubber match in one of the best MMA rivalries ever. Hughes beat St. Pierre in Oct. 2004 and GSP returned the favor in Nov. 2006. St. Pierre is on the rise while Hughes’ career is dimming. So why would St. Pierre take the fight on short notice? After losing to Serra, he got his career back on track with a dominating win over Josh Koscheck and was in line for the title early next year.

“People are going to think I am crazy, but I had this feeling that this might happen,” the French-Canadian said. “I didn’t know who would be injured, but I thought it would be a probability. I am always training and I wanted to be ready to step in case it happened.”

St. Pierre had also just finished training with Rashad Evans for UFC 78 and was already in shape. So why would Hughes accept a fight with St. Pierre? The short notice probably gives Hughes his best chance to win. Plus, it also gives him the most direct route to the title. Both fighters wanted a five-round bout and White obliged, naming the winner the interim welterweight champion.

The fight may lack the venom of Hughes-Serra and no one knows exactly what an “interim title” means, but few fighters share the charisma of Hughes and St. Pierre.

Outside the Octagon, both fighters are similar. They train hard, usually remain respectful in interviews and keep an eye on both their own legacy and the good of MMA in general. Inside the cage, however, they are a contrast in styles.

A former All-American wrestler, Hughes wins on willpower. He overwhelms opponents with amazing brute strength and conditioning. His uncanny power at 170 pounds allows him to execute moves impossible for other fighters. It is a spectacularly effective method when things are going well, but can backfire against the elite.

The problem: St. Pierre may be the most elite welterweight in the world. He was beating Hughes in the first meeting before getting caught in an armbar and is a greatly improved fighter now. GSP stuffed Hughes’ takedowns in their second meeting and clearly outclassed his opponent. Plus, St. Pierre outwrestled Koscheck – arguably a better grappler than Hughes.

If Hughes does get the fight to the ground, he is not out of danger. Due to his wrestling background, Hughes instinctually gives up his back rather than turn into his opponent. He was able to survive that mistake against Frank Trigg, but may not escape from St. Pierre.

Madness pick: GSP. Despite the short notice, St. Pierre has too many weapons and Hughes lacks one-punch knockout power. The only betting line should be how soon some ignorant fan begins the “U-S-A” chant.

LIDDELL-SILVA

UFC president Dana White has been trying to put this fight together for more than four years. In 2003, he took Liddell (20-5) to Japan for a PRIDE tournament, hoping Liddell would fight Silva in the finals. Instead, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson eliminated Liddell in the semifinals. During UFC 61 (July 8, 2006), White was desperate for something positive after Tito Ortiz’ anti-climactic destruction of Ken Shamrock. Silva (31-7-1) was in attendance, Liddell was ringside and White was in negotiations with PRIDE. So White stepped into The Octagon and declared that Silva and Liddell would soon be fighting. Almost as soon as an impromptu face-off dissipated, White began regretting his announcement.

“PRIDE is (expletive) up,” he said.

What a difference a year makes. Now the UFC owns Silva, but the fight will take place under dramatically different circumstances than it would have in the past. Both fighters are on two-fight losing streaks. Silva has not won since a week before White’s premature announcement at UFC 61. He lost to Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic in Sept. 2006 and to Dan Henderson in February. However, Silva still is a novelty to UFC fans and, win or lose, he will still have value. However, Liddell’s career may need life support if he loses badly. Liddell’s recent losses aren’t nearly as damning as the way he lost. He was knocked out by Jackson for the title in May and then came back to lose an uninspiring decision to Keith Jardine in September.

More than notches in the wrong column, those losses could be telling the story of a fighter who has lost his mojo. A devastating counter-puncher, Liddell ruled the division with his unorthodox style and timing. But Jackson was too fast and “The Iceman” could not find the range against Jardine. Liddell will be 38 by the time of the fight and Father Time is unkind to athletes dependent on speed and timing. Plus, because his method had been so effective Liddell never bothered to round out his game. He will need more than a counterpunch and sprawl against Silva, who hopes to avoid the pitfalls that awaited former PRIDE stars Filipovic, Heath Herring, Marcus Aurelio, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and nearly-defeated Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Unlike those fighters, Silva has fought in the Octagon before, but went 1-2. He honed his game in PRIDE and the use of elbows could simply add to his usual torrent of Muay Thai knees.

In some ways, White is prepared for Liddell’s loss. If the “Iceman” loses, Silva will be “over” to the U.S. fans and ready for a title shot.

“Chuck will always have a place in the UFC,” White said. “If he loses and chooses to retire, he will always have a place here in some capacity. He has been with me through it all and I will always be loyal to Chuck Liddell.”

Madness pick: Silva. Bring on Rampage.

MACHIDA-SOKOUDJOU

A key fight for both men as each hopes to eventually earn a title shot in a crowded light heavyweight division.

Sokoudjou (4-1) will hope to avoid the PRIDE jinx. Along with Josh Barnett and Matt Lindland, he was one of the top free agents in the world for most of 2007. However, he began the year with a bang, upsetting Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Ricardo Arona in February and April, respectively. Machida seems to be eternally disrespected. One of the few successful karate fighters in MMA, he has beaten the likes of BJ Penn, Rich Franklin, Kazuhiro Nakamura and Stephan Bonnar. However, his fights have been called boring and detractors could have a point. The Brazilian has won six of his last seven fights by decision. Machida’s style is defensive while Sokoudjou likes to push the action, which should make for an entertaining bout. Sokoudjou can end the fight with one punch, but Machida rarely sustains much punishment.

Madness pick: Machida. He may be the most technical light heavyweight in the division and rarely makes a mistake.

UNDERCARD

Who cares? After those three fights, UFC matchmaker Joe Silva knew he could schedule a grandmother versus a lawnmower and the Mandalay Events Center would still sell out. However, instead of giving fights to UFC newcomers, he chose to go with several retreads. Unfortunately, the most anticipated bout, the return of Manny Gamburyan against Nate Mohr may not be televised. Gamburyan was injured in The Ultimate Finale 5 against Nate Diaz in June. He should have his way with Mohr, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace. Other bouts with fighters still on the rise: heavyweight Eddie Sanchez takes on PRIDE veteran Soa Palelei and light heavyweight Luis Cane gets his first big test against James Irvin.