Issue 004

June 2005

Thanks for sitting down after a hard practice to talk to Fighters Only. Usually the interviewer is not the more winded one!

No problem.

Do you think that growing up on a farm in Illinois and competing with your twin brother instilled in you some kind of competitive drive that has helped you reach the top?

Definitely. I grew up competing and I have stayed that way. Growing up on a farm will do that. 

How old were you when you started wrestling and what are your wrestling accomplishments?

I started wrestling as a freshman in high school and was a 2-time State Champion. I then was a Junior College 2-time All American and then a Division 1 2-time All American. 

When did you first meet Pat Miletich and start training with MFS? Do you have any stories from the early days?

At my first fight in Chicago Pat was the referee, so that’s how we got connected. The first time I went with Pat he had so much technique and I had so much strength, so I had to wear him down.

I’ve been watching you fight live since WEF 9 [World Extreme Fighting] and you seemed to be a takedown guy that was happy to ground ’n’ pound from within the guard. Since winning the belt from Carlos Newton, you took your game to another level, passing the guard and dominating positions. Did you realize you were at the top and needed to evolve to stay there?

I was just trying to be a well-rounded fighter.



Speaking of evolving, your striking is coming along and you have received two tap-out awards doing two of the most beautiful submissions in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) history — a standing Koala bear-like rear naked choke on Trigg, and spin-out of a Kimura attempt into an armbar on St. Pierre, both in the first round! What are your thoughts on that? 

That’s just hard work in the gym. The fight’s definitely won in the gym, so hard work does pay off.

You’re defending your belt again on April 16 against Frank Trigg. While you have beaten him in the first round, he has gone on to decisively beat two opponents that have given you trouble (Verissimo and Hallman). Does he deserve another shot at the title?

He deserves a shot because there is nobody else. 



What are your thoughts on Frank Trigg?

I don’t care about rematches, Frank Trigg is fine.

Would you like to see some new blood to face you? Maybe bring Kiuma Kunioku or Nathan Marquardt into the UFC? 

I don’t care who the UFC puts in front of me but new blood would be nice. Maybe Karo Parisyan or someone else new. 

What are your thoughts on ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ TV show?

I am not a big fan; I think it depicts us as alcoholics and guys that can’t control their temper. It misses the professional aspect of it. 

What are your thoughts on Sean Sherk? Rumour was he had retired, then that he will be in the Pride Lightweight Grand Prix along with your team-mate Jens Pulver?

I don’t go on the underground or other forums, so I don’t keep track on things like that. I worry about who’s across from me in the Octagon! 

Any words for fans or up-and-coming fighters?

Start slow in the amateur ranks. Start slow and work your way up.

What are your favorite movies?

I like ‘Matrix’ and old Westerns. I like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. 

What do you attribute your super strength to?

To my lifestyle; growing up on the family farm, especially with a twin brother. My brother and I would always compete with each other, especially with wrestling and that is what I attribute all my strength to.

You have trained with our very own Fighters Only editor, Ian Freeman, what was that like?

It was a pleasure to train with Ian. He was very strong and also excited to learn that as a coach or a training partner what you care most about is other people’s desire to learn. Ian did very well and had a great attitude.

Who do you value most as a training partner at Miletich Fighting Systems? 

Pat (Pat Miletich), definitely. He’s who I do most of my training with. He is the guy with the most knowledge and whatever he says goes.

What were your thoughts when the referee let your fight with Frank Trigg continue after he hit you in the groin?

As I turned away after being hit and put my hand up, I was sure that Frank saw that I was hit low. I wondered at first if the ref didn’t see it but he must of.

It has to be said that not many would have overcome a groin shot and then a beating to come back and win. Did you at any time ever think you would dominate like that after the upset?

After I had been hit two or three times on the floor I forgot about the low blow then I managed to get hold of both his arms and I kept telling myself ‘relax and compose’. I managed to get my foot on the cage and turn myself but then Frank got my back. Through finning out and twisting and managing to get my arms around his waste getting to my feet before picking him up. It wasn’t until I picked him up that I really got mad. This is the first time that has happened as I never really get mad in any of my fights.

Where did you learn your super slam technique? 

Through my wrestling background. I have wrestled all my life, especially at high school and college.

What’s next in line for you and for how much longer do you intend to fight?

I don’t know how long I’ve got left. I’m 31 now but if you look at people like Randy (Randy Couture) he’s 41 so I guess potentially I could have 10 years left but I’m not really planning on going that long. I have a family and as although I truly love the sport that I’m in it really involves a lot of traveling and time away from home, even when training not to mention competing. As well with having a family I really would not want to take a real beating. Losing does not bother me as there will always be someone else out there to beat me, as shown by BJ Penn but I really would not want to get physically beat.

When you retire what are your plans; will you be returning to work on the farm or will you be helping Pat at MFS?

I love the farm. I love farm work to anything I could do but I would like to share some of the knowledge that I have gained. I also love the sport so I could possibly work further with Pat or perhaps open up a small gym near home though I really haven’t thought about that yet!

Thanks for talking to Fighters Only.

Anytime

Fact file: Matt Hughes

  • Weight: 170-185 lbs.
  • Height: 5’8 1/2”
  • MMA record: 38-4 (win-loss-draw)
  • Born: Hillsboro, Ill. 
  • Date of birth: 13 October 1973 
  • Lives: Hillsboro, Ill 
  • Fight team: Miletich Fighting Systems
  • Family: Wife and two boys
  • Major awards: 8-time World Champion, 2-time State Champion Wrestler, 2-time Junior College All-American Wrestler, 2-time Division 1 All-American Wrestler
  • Best thing about being a fighter: Traveling, I’ve seen the world
  • Lowest point in career: When I lost to Dennis Hallman and then to Jose Pele’ Landi-Jons. I was thinking about retiring at that time. I had a few small fights and then the offer to fight Carlos Newton in the UFC came. I figured if I lost that fight I would retire, and if I won I’d stick with it. I’m still here.  
  • Favourite food: Steak
  • Favourite film: The Matrix. Also, old westerns with John Wayne and Clint Eastwood
  • Phobia: No, not really. I’m an easygoing guy.  
  • Hobbies: I’m a sportsman. I like to shoot sporting clays, clay pigeons. I’m also a bit of a mechanic, I’ve got a truck and a ‘97 Pontiac Firebird that I play with. 
  • Philosophy in life: If it’s worth doing it’s worth doing right. I’m picky, if I am going to do something then I’ll do it right.  
  • Philosophy in the ring: Go 100%
  • Proudest moment: I don’t know, probably the first time I won the title. Also, this last time against Frank Trigg making a comeback when I was hurt and down means a lot to me.
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