Issue 061

April 2010

STATISTICS

Name: Matt Hughes

Age: 36

Height: 5’9”  

Category: 170lb (Welterweight)

Record: 43-7-0; 15 (T)KOs (34%); 18 Submissions (41%); 10 Decisions (23%)

Fighting Style: Wrestling

Fights out of: Hillsboro, Illinois 

Active since: 1998

Known for many years as one of the most dominant welterweight fighters in the world, Matt Hughes may be in the latter portion of a 12-year career, but the record-holding two-time former champion is still active, and one of the most familiar faces in the Octagon.  

A seasoned competitor of 50 fights, Hughes came from an athletic background and was an All-American wrestler.  He took his considerable wrestling ability and made it his trademark – Hughes is known for his near-unstoppable takedowns, big slams and fearsome ground ‘n pound from top position.  

Some of Hughes’s accomplishments include holding records such as the most number of wins in the Octagon (tied with Chuck Liddell at 16), the most number of UFC title defenses (7) and the most number of wins in the welterweight division. Amazingly, Hughes has defeated all but one of the UFC welterweight titleholders, namely his old coach and mentor Pat Miletich.  

With wins over BJ Penn, Georges St Pierre, Matt Serra, Hayato Sakurai, Royce Gracie and more, Hughes has been open about winding down his career. He opened his H.I.T. Squad gym in Granite City, Illinois, in 2007, and alongside his coaching staff trains many up-and-comers.  

Strength

Hughes has what is known as ‘farm boy strength’ and is known as one of the strongest fighters in the welterweight division. His incredible upper-body strength means he manhandles most other fighters, and, though he has well-developed jiu-jitsu for a former wrestler, can power out of submissions. His slams are legendary and he has won numerous fights by picking his opponents up and driving them into the canvas.  

Elbows

Hughes’ choice of strategy during his prime was a simple yet effective one. He would take his opponents down, stuff them against the cage and work them over with a combination of punches and elbows, looking to either cut his opponent open or to force a stoppage. He popularized the position known as the crucifix, an upper-body pin where he knelt on his opponent’s arm, thereby taking away the ability to defend from his attack.  

Wrestling

A two-time 145lb high-school state wrestling-champion and two-time Division I All-American wrestler at 158lb, Hughes was one of the first fighters to effectively use his wrestling alongside the other elements of MMA. Unlike many wrestlers he has solid jiu-jitsu and can fight off his back, but prefers to work from top position.  

CAREER SNAPSHOT

1998

Debuts in MMA, fights six times in small Midwest events.  

1999

Makes UFC debut vs Val Ignatov (UFC 22) 

2001

Wins UFC welterweight gold for the first time.  

2004

After six defenses, loses title to BJ Penn.  

2004

Regains vacant title, beating GSP by submission.  

2006

Beats Royce Gracie and BJ Penn. Loses title to GSP.  

2009

Beats rival Matt Serra by decision.