Matt Hughes (fighter)

For other people named Matthew or Matt Hughes, see Matt Hughes.

Matt Hughes
Hughes in 2007
BornMatthew Allen Hughes
(1973-10-13) October 13, 1973 (age 51)
Hillsboro, Illinois, U.S.
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
DivisionWelterweight
Reach73 in (185 cm)
StyleWrestling
Fighting out ofHillsboro, Illinois, U.S.
TeamMiletich Fighting Systems (1998–2007)[1]
Finney's HIT Squad (2007–present)[2]
WrestlingNCAA Division I Wrestling
Years active1998–2013
Mixed martial arts record
Total54
Wins45
By knockout21
By submission14
By decision10
Losses9
By knockout5
By submission4
UniversityEastern Illinois University
Lincoln College
Southwestern Illinois College
Notable relativesMark Hughes (twin brother)
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Official UFC Fighter Profile[3]

Matthew Allen Hughes (born October 13, 1973)[4] is an American retired mixed martial artist with a background in wrestling. Widely considered among the greatest fighters in the history of MMA, he is a former two-time UFC Welterweight Champion, UFC Hall of Fame inductee, and NJCAA Hall of Fame inductee.[5] During his tenures in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Hughes put together two six-fight winning streaks defeating all of the available opposition in the welterweight division. In May 2010, Hughes became the eighth inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame.[6][7][8]

During his reign, Hughes was considered the #1 pound-for-pound mixed martial artist in the world.[9] He was also regarded by many analysts and several media outlets as one of the greatest welterweight fighters of all time, as well as one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in the sport's history.[10][11][12][13]

A long-time member of Miletich Fighting Systems, Hughes left the Miletich camp in late 2007 to start Team Hughes.[1] In 2008, Hughes published his autobiography, Made in America, which made the New York Times bestseller list. In 2011, Hughes became host of Outdoor Channel's Trophy Hunters TV. Hughes has no nickname, although because of his successes against Gracie Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) practitioners such as Royce Gracie, Renzo Gracie, Ricardo Almeida, and Matt Serra, people often refer to him as "the Gracie Killer" (the same as Sakuraba's nickname).[14] His mastery of submissions, and having submission wins over various black belt holders, are the reasons why Joe Rogan thinks he deserved to get a black belt for BJJ. Hughes never liked the idea, however, and considers himself primarily an amateur and submission wrestler.[15]

  1. ^ a b Stupp, Dann (August 30, 2007). "Matt Hughes to Start Fight Team". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2012.
  2. ^ "Matt Hughes MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography". Sherdog. Retrieved August 15, 2007.
  3. ^ Hughes' official website & Sherdog profile record one less win than his UFC profile. The record listed here represents the one given on his official website & Sherdog profile.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference 13 Oct 1973 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "UFC 52: Couture vs. Liddell II Preview". Sherdog. April 13, 2005. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  6. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (May 20, 2010). "Matt Hughes Inducted Into UFC Hall of Fame". 411mania.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  7. ^ Heavy MMA (May 29, 2010). "Matt Hughes inducted into UFC Hall of Fame". Heavy. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
  8. ^ Holland, Jesse (May 29, 2010). "Matt Hughes inducted into UFC Hall of Fame". MMAmania.com. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  9. ^ Wiles, Mitch (January 29, 2009). "A History of MMA's Pound-for-Pound Best". Bleacher Report. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
    Snowden, Jonathan (September 27, 2001). "Remembering Matt Hughes: The Best Fighter Of His Generation May Have Called It Quits". SB Nation. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
    Reilly, Joe (November 24, 2003). "UFC 45: Revolution Review". Wrestling 101. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
  10. ^ "MMA Awards of the Decade". Bleacher Report. December 23, 2009. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  11. ^ Rousseau, Robert. "Top MMA Fights of the Decade". About.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
  12. ^ Rousseau, Robert (December 13, 2012). "Who is the Greatest Welterweight of All Time?". Fighters.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2010. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
    Smith, Sean (September 27, 2011). "UFC 135 Results: Ranking Hugues' Greatest Career moments". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
    Lopes, Hobson (October 26, 2011). "Hughes or GSP: Who is Greatest UFC Welterweight of All Time? Fan's Take". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on December 18, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
    Boyken, Joshua (September 11, 2010). "UFC History: 20 Best UFC Fighters Of All-Time". Bleacher Report. Retrieved July 28, 2012.
    "Matt Hughes Fight News". SB Nation. Retrieved July 28, 2012.
  13. ^ Fuller, Justin (August 21, 2011). "Ranking Chuck Liddell and the UFC Hall of Fame inductees". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  14. ^ "Hughes has no interest". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  15. ^ Fight Night Goiania Free Fight: Thiago Alves vs. Matt Hughes