Welterweight Champion Matt Serra has withdrawn from his title defense bout at UFC 79 after Serra suffered a herniated disc in his back last Monday night.

UFC president Dana White then received a call from former champion Georges St. Pierre, who wanted to take Serra's spot. St. Pierre, who was coming off a hard fought victory against Josh Koscheck, was named as Matt Hughes' new opponent, and the bout was set last Saturday night.

“I’m so excited to get this fight, I’m fighting Matt Hughes for the interim title right now, and then after that I’m going to go after Serra. I’ve wanted that rematch against Serra, and this is the best scenario that can happen.”

“I’m not overconfident at all,” said St-Pierre (14-2). “I remember that Matt beat me once and I beat him once. Now it’s equal. We’re both going to be different fighters this time. We both grew up from our wins and losses and it’s going to be a totally different match.”

The fight will take place December 29, 2007 @ the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.