DaytonDailyNews.com

Matt Hughes' reign as the sport's most dominant welterweight fighter in mixed martial arts history is undoubtedly over.

His UFC 85 main-event TKO loss Saturday, June 7, to surging prospect Thiago Alves — Hughes' third defeat in his past four fights — signaled the end of a legendary, nearly impossible streak of brilliance that saw the 34-year-old piece together win streaks of 18 and 13 fights.

Sure, Hughes is no longer able to handle the world's best. However, cries that retirement is the fighter's only logical next move are premature, to say the least.

Up first for the Illinois farmer will likely be a grudge match with rival Matt Serra, against whom Hughes coached on the sixth season of "The Ultimate Fighter." The season-ending fight was scrapped due to Serra's back injury, but even a year later, the fight is still marketable.

"My wife wants it, and I want it," Hughes said after Saturday's loss. "I know these fans want it, too."

In addition to the Serra fight, Hughes could be the perfect ambassador for the UFC's network-television debut — if it ever comes. You can't live in the past, but if you want to sell the UFC product to mainstream audiences, a world-class competitor such as Hughes should be a part of it.

In any manner, in a fast-growing sport that provides new opportunities every day, walking away from it all could be a massive mistake for the MMA legend.

'TUF' report

C.B. Dollaway defeated Cale Yarbrough and posted one of the season's most dominating performances to earn a ticket to the semifinals of "The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest."

Dollaway, a former Ohio high school wrestling champion, takes on Amir Sadollah, and Jesse Taylor faces Tim Credeur, in the semis, which will air during the next two episodes of the show. "TUF" airs at 10 p.m. Wednesdays on Spike. The finale is set for June 21 and also airs on Spike.

Bushi III results

The Dayton-based Bushi Combat organization hosted its third event May 31. The 18-bout event took place at the Dayton Convention Center.

In the night's main event, Josh Ferguson defeated Robert Walker via first-round submission. Other winners from the "pro bouts" included Marcus Ajian, Edward O'Daniels and Victor O'Donnell. The organization's next show takes place July 26.

Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of MMAjunkie.com. Go to mmajunkie.com for the latest on UFC 85, "The Ultimate Fighter" and other MMA news.

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