There’s another match-up pitting two stars from the early days of MMA against each other. Former UFC fighter Tim Hague announced this December 22 that he has signed with the promotion, and he’ll be taking on the legendary Maurice Smith, a former UFC champion and kickboxing world champion.

The Canadian Hague was released from octagon duty earlier this year after suffering a knockout at the hands of Matt Mitrione, going on to submit Vince Lucero with a guillotine choke at AMMA 8 last September.

Now the seasoned Smith, 50, retired back in 2000, but he would again lace up his gloves in 2007, when he took on and beat another legend of MMA’s past, Marco Ruas. With 12 MMA wins on his ledger, he has not stepped into the cage since 2008. Another fighter confirmed for the event is the promising Eduardo “Cachorrão,” fighting out of Dragon Fight/Nova União in the Brazilian state of Ceará.

What do you think, dear reader, does Maurice Smith still have what it takes? Watch the stalwart striker in action during the early days of the sport, in the video below:

Uma outra luta traz também duas feras dos primórdios do vale-tudo. Ex-lutador do UFC, Tim Hague anunciou ontem que já assinou contrato com a organização, e vai encarar o lendário Maurice Smith, ex-campeão dos pesados do Ultimate e campeão mundial de kickboxing.

O canadense Hague, dispensado do octagon este ano após ser nocauteado por Matt Mitrione, combateu no AMMA 8, em setembro, quando finalizou Vince Lucero com uma guilhotina.

Já o veterano Maurice, 50 anos, chegou a se aposentar no ano 2000, mas voltou a calçar as luvas em 2007, quando venceu Marco Ruas. Com 12 vitórias no MMA, ele no entanto não luta desde 2008. Outro lutador confirmado no evento é a promessa cearense Eduardo Cachorrão, da Dragon Fight/Nova União.

E você leitor, acha que Maurice Smith ainda tem lenha para queimar? Veja o bicho em ação nos seus áureos tempos, a seguir.

Alan Belcher catches Denis Kang. Photo: Josh Hedges

Zuffa’s top writer Thomas Gerbasi posted the ten best submissions seen in the Octagon over 2009.

Do you agree with him? Comment below.

10) Tim Hague, over Pat Barry – guillotine in R1 – UFC 98, May 23

9) Jon Jones, over Jake O’Brien – choke in R2 – UFC 100, July 11

8) Alan Belcher, over Denis Kang – guillotine in R2 – UFC 93, January 17

7) Tom Lawlor, over CB Dollaway – guillotine in R1 – UFC 100

6) Rick Story, over Brian Foster – arm-and-neck choke in R2 – UFC 103, September 19

5) Joe Lauzon, over Jeremy Stephens – armbar in R2 – UFN, February 7

4) Damarques Johnson, over Edgar Garcia – triangle in R1 – UFC 107, December 12

3) Frank Mir, over Cheick Kongo – guillotine in R1, UFC 107

2) Demian Maia, over Chael Sonnen – triangle in R1 – UFC 95, February 21

1) Terry Etim, over Justin Buchholz – choke in R2 – UFC 99, June 13

Check out the other lists on the no site oficial do UFC.