Hughes made his promotional debut at UFC 22: There Can Be Only One Champion, on September 24, 1999, defeating Bulgarian Valeri Ignatov via unanimous decision after three rounds.[27]. In the third round, Hughes unsuccessfully tried an armbar again before the horn sounded. She then filed for a divorce, but whether the couple separated or not is still unknown. [122], Hughes was expected to face Diego Sanchez on September 24, 2011, at UFC 135: Jones vs. They live in Hillsboro, Oregon. But one of this series biggest. MMA record is 38-4-0 as of 19th November 2005. It is usually fatal, with the majority of patients in a coma. [141][142] On June 18, Hughes's family released a statement that he had no broken bones or internal injuries but was unconscious and unresponsive. Hughes fought Thiago Alves at UFC 85: Bedlam on June 7, 2008. This means everything to me. [36] Hughes finished the bout in the 4th round, by taking down Sakurai and transitioning to full mount. [34], He successfully defended his championship belt at UFC 36: Worlds Collide, defeating former Shooto Middleweight Champion Hayato Sakurai via TKO due to strikes at 3:01 of the fourth round. [56] The fight was competitive. [134], On July 4, 2013, Hughes became the host of Uncaged with Matt Hughes, which airs Saturdays on the Sportsman Channel. This was perhaps his signature move that he adopted in his major fights, most of which he won via submissions. She married her long-term boyfriend turned husband, Matt Hughes. For Hughes, he knew that there had to be life after fighting, and he got into television following his UFC career much like Gina Carano did. Hughes is a family man. Hughes family and friends are grateful for his progress, despite the fact that he is still in a lot of pain and has a long road ahead of him. Grade 3 diffuse axonal injury is one of the most serious types of brain injury. [146], In May 2019 Hughes's wife filed a restraining order against him after she accused him of several incidents of domestic violence. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! Two years later, he was one of the guest coaches for Jens Pulver, his long-time friend, during the season of The Ultimate Fighter 5. [99][100] As a replacement for the title match, the UFC quickly signed a rubber match between Hughes and St-Pierre that would also be for the Interim UFC Welterweight Championship. He transferred to Lincoln College, Illinois, and then to Charleston's Eastern Illinois . Matt Serra, Georges StPierre & B.J. Matt Hughes was obviously one of the best wrestlers in mixed martial arts history, but liked to have a wide scope of skills. Rampage. [116] Hughes landed a huge left hook that knocked Almeida down, sinking in the very deep choke which earned him the Submission of the Night honors. After switching up to mixed martial arts, Hughes was passing one milestone after another at a record rate. Hughes married Audra despite Audra having a son from her previous marriage. Then he asked for the code to his gun vault and I said, You just choked me. Hughes showed improved striking, but ultimately succumbed to Koscheck's power punches. If we fight again, I don't think he's going to beat me, but he will probably come closer. Despite his injuries, Hughes has made a full recovery and is now able to communicate with others using eye-tracking devices and a laptop. After receiving a powerful flying knee, he dropped to the ground with his own left knee pinned behind his hips, ultimately leaving him with a torn MCL and partially torn PCL. Ive had to step up in a lot of ways that I wasnt expecting, Matt said. On 13-10-1973 Matt Hughes (nickname: Matt ) was born in Hillsboro, Illinois, United States. Matt Hughes almost died in a train accident in 2017 because of serious head injuries. On the morning of June 16, 2017, Matt Hughes was helping a farmer by taking diesel to his farm . He did exactly what we expected. These Are The 10 Best-Paid Television Stars In The World. This Video Should Help: Related Tags Details about her date of birth, education, childhood are not public. When the bout started, Hughes lifted and brutally slammed Hallman to the mat, but was caught in the submission after landing in side-control. In his personal life, Matt Hughes is married to Audra Moore Hughes, and the couple has two daughters together, and a son each from a previous relationship. Penn at the post-fight interview.[119]. Two-time UFC World Welterweight Title winner with seven successful title defenses. Hughes was airlifted to a hospital with a traumatic brain injury. Actually I didn't, he raised mine. The outlook was grim. [135][136], On October 7, 2014, Hughes partnered with producer Joe David Garza and became the host of a new series entitled The Takedown with Matt Hughes, which aired on Sundays on the Sportsman Channel. Award of Fighter of the Year by Fight Matrix, Fight of the Decade Award by Yahoo! Matt Hughes Wife Breaks Silence Amidst Abuse Allegations, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), UFC 264: Poirier vs McGregor 3 Results And Post Fight Videos, UFC Vegas 30: Gane vs Volkov Results And Post Fight Videos, Bellator 261: Johnson vs Moldavsky Results And Replay, UFC 264: Poirier vs McGregor 3 Pre-Fight Videos, UFC Vegas 29: Korean Zombie vs Ige Results And Post Fight Videos, Matt Hughes Reportedly Suing Train Operator, Dos Anjos: McGregor Gets Lost When A Fight Doesnt Go To Plan, UFC: Khabib Believes McGregor Will Never Be The Same Fighter Again, George Foreman Backs Conor McGregor To Beat Manny Pacquiao, Robbie Lawler Reacts To Stoppage At UFC 235, Were One Step Closer To Romero vs Costa Showdown. 16 2022, Published 10:54 a.m. A lot of professional athletes go into their careers thinking that theyll be at the highest level forever. She accused the former welterweight champion of domestic violence. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/05/ufc-news-matt-hughes-details-recovery-brain-injury-train-accident, Twitter reacts to Mike Perry's TKO of Luke Rockhold, faceoff with Conor McGregor at BKFC 41, Mike Perry def. 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). Hughes was able to take Penn to the mat, and in side-control crucifix position rained punches on Penn's head until referee "Big" John McCarthy stopped the fight at 3:53 of the third round. In 2007, Hughes participated as a guest coach for long-time friend and training partner, Jens Pulver during The Ultimate Fighter 5 season. Matt Hughes has always had a penchant for some of the most expensive cars in the world, including classic cars. Which Bellator, Invicta, One and PFL champs could dethrone UFC titleholders? He was a two-time UFC Welterweight Champion and his record of defending his title 7 times is still a record. Dennis Hallman handed him his first defeat in his career by technical submission, but his net worth continued to grow. Its been tough, Matt said. [49], Hughes's next fight took place at UFC 56: Full Force, where he was scheduled to fight Judo practitioner Karo Parisyan. I was in the shower and he opened the shower and choked me, she wrote (transcribed by MMAJunkie). Irina Alekseeva won her promotional debut at UFC Fight Night 223, but the win for the "Russian Ronda" was marred by a weight miss. Following a championship win by Matt Serra over Georges St-Pierre at UFC 69,[96] UFC President Dana White announced that Hughes would fight for the World Welterweight title in November 2007 against Serra. Matthew Allen Hughes was born October 13, 1973 in Hillsboro, Illinois where he would wrestle and play football while in school. Here are our favorite quotes from Matt Hughes: Matt Hughes didnt have the easiest life following his retirement, and has served as a bit of a cautionary tale in his post-fighting years. statement posted on his Instagram account. [43] With the victory, he became the first man to defeat Sherk. Some have speculated that Matt may have been unfaithful, while others believe that the couple simply grew apart over the years. Catchweight (174 lbs) bout; Alves missed weight. The 45-years old, Matt Hughes is an American former martial artist and wrestler, best known for his fights in UFC. The same thing applies to any job, where adding skills here and there can look great on a resume and get you a long way in life. Matt Hughes may have had a troubled life after his fighting career came to an end, but he built quite a resume in the octagon. Audra Moore-Hughes's Husband. About Matt Hughes. She also has a son from a previous relationship. [59] Accidentally hit in the groin early in the first round, Hughes looked to the referee for assistance; however, the referee had not seen the strike and Trigg capitalized on Hughes's distraction by staggering him with a barrage of punches. Sports. What is the net worth of Matt Hughes? Hughes took the fight on short notice as a favor to UFC. Happily Married. [126], The UFC announced on January 24, 2013, that Matt Hughes retired from fighting and was named a Vice President of Athlete Development and Government Relations. Hughes lost the belt to BJ Penn, but would win it back later that year against Georges St. Pierre when it became vacant. He started as a wrestler and participated in many events during his days in high school and college. You are the greatest champion of all time. Hughes won the UFC World Welterweight Title twice and had seven title defenses. The fight marked the first time Hughes had been knocked out (he had previously lost via technical knockout). I had the worst brain injury possible, Matt said during an interview with MMA Junkie. Matthew Allen Hughes (born October 13, 1973)[4] is an American retired mixed martial artist with a background in wrestling. In the UFC, a sport with a high level of revenue, referees are paid accordingly. [26] In the process, Hallman handed Hughes his first professional defeat. A lot of celebrities do not know what to do with their money anymore in 2022. There is no definitive answer to this question as it is unclear what the status of their relationship is. In 1998, he competed in his first MMA fight. UFC president, Dana White certainly thinks that the bout was the greatest hes ever been to -. These 10 Whopping Homes & Cars Of Celebrities Look Amazing! ET. As noted Matt has been happily married to his beautiful wife Audra since July 9, 2004. Personal Life: Affair, Girlfriends, Wife, Kids. Copyright 2021 Asian Persuasion MMA. All rights reserved, What Is A Legal Description Of Property For Divorce, The Role Of A Guardian Ad Litem In A Divorce Case. After graduating, he continued practicing martial arts, earning eighth position in NCCA Division in 1996, beating Jeremy Horn and Ricardo Almeida, two of the best wrestlers at that time. We worked out his game plan before the fight, and he did exactly what we expected. For the past few decades, Hughes has been able to communicate with others by using a combination of eye-tracking devices and a laptop. Some people have asked why I raised his hand at the end. Follow Tommy Lee Jones' rise to stardom from Texas cowboy to Hollywood star. This news left . Audra Hughes' request, which was made in Montgomery County, Illinois, was filed on Dec. 13, one day after she says her husband struck her in front of her son and their daughter, according to TMZ. Matt has been retired from the world of professional fighting for some time, and that's in part thanks to a severe head injury he sustained when his truck was hit by a train in 2017. [145] On September 19, 2019, news surfaced that Hughes sued Norfolk Southern Railway and several of its employees for the 2017 train crash. In a come-from-behind fight, Hughes was caught in a triangle choke by then-champion Carlos Newton, but he lifted Newton in the air and slammed him to the mat,[32] causing Newton to hit his head and lose consciousness just as Hughes was himself on the verge of blacking out from the choke. Who is Matt Hughes dating in 2023? Hughes especially loves Chevrolet trucks that were made in the 1960s, owning several that he has worked on with his brother. His workout routine includes heavy lifting and cardio. Its been a little over a year since Matt Hughes and his wife, Audra, announced their divorce. Hughes has publicly addressed the personal problems he faced following his accident, including allegations of domestic violence from his now-estranged wife Audra (which he denied) and a dispute. He won his first title of UFC World Welterweight on 2 November 2001, beating Carlos Newton. Hughes attorneys announced in August 2019 that the brothers had settled the case. After an emergency operation, he was placed in a medically induced coma for 19 days. Register now to get full access to our site. In 2011, Hughes became host of Outdoor Channel's Trophy Hunters TV. The couple had been married for nearly 15 years and have three children together. [60] and comebacks in MMA history[61][62] This fight is UFC President Dana White's favorite match in combat sport history. [16] Hughes has two siblings, a sister and his twin brother, Mark. - If I get Matt Hughes under my belt and take care of him, even if I would not be considered one of the best ever, I'd have some victories over some guys who will be. Matt Hughes (45-9) held the UFC's welterweight title at various times between 2001 and 2006. [47] After a tactical grappling match-up early on, Trigg fell victim to a standing rear naked choke at 3:45 of the first round. In the latest episode of Legend 2 Legend, Hughes opened up about what happened that day, what it took to survive, and how his life has changed since the accident. All Rights Reserved. Sports. The record listed here represents the one given on his official website & Sherdog profile. Hughes posted on his blog: "When the fight was over, I was pretty confident I was going to get my hand raised. He still earned the ADC Submission Wrestling World Championship, and a base to his net worth. For the full episode, check out the video below. Yes, Audra filed a restraining order against Hughes in 2019. He wants railroad crossing safety improvements, as well as a warning to others about crossing in front of trains that could endanger their lives. Although some may have been delighted to see Matt return to the ring in a recent AEW match, many more were concerned about the health issues he still seemed to be facing. Matt Hughes has not been charged in connection with these allegations. "Some days have been absolute hell. After the match Newton stated that he felt the reason Hughes fell to the mat was because he was rendered unconscious from the triangle choke. Over the course of his UFC career, Hughes took on fighters including Renzo Gracie, Chris Lytle, and Thiago Alves before retiring in 2011. Matthew Allen Hughes was born on October 13, 1973, in Hillsboro, Illinois. The vows were exchanged in a private ceremony in front of their loved ones. Hughes faced BJ Penn on November 20, 2010, in a rubber match at UFC 123: Rampage vs. Machida, after their previous two fights at UFC 46 and UFC 63. He also described the challenges he has endured since the accident, acknowledging that he is "not the same person. Penn", "Georges St-Pierre "I'm not impressed by your performance" video", "TUF 6: Matt Serra and Matt Hughes named as coaches", "Brock Lesnar's Team Trains With Matt Hughes for the Ultimate Fighter 13", "Report: Serra vs. Hughes to Headline November Event in New Jersey", "UFC Headed to Las Vegas Twice in December", "Injury Forces Matt Serra off UFC 79 Fight Card", "UFC 79 Round-by-round Updates and live results", "GSP dominates Hughes, Liddell outlasts Silva", "UFC 85 recap: Alves rocks Hughes, Bisping cruises TKO victory", "Matt Hughes and Matt Serra back off retirement talk", "Machida KOs Evans; Hughes Outpoints Serra", "UFC 98 bonuses: Hughes, Serra, Machida and Larson each earn $60K", "Matt Hughes signs Multi-fight contract with UFC", "Bloody Elbow Judo Chop: Matt Hughes Unleashes the "Dave Schultz Front Headlock" on Ricardo Almeida at UFC 117", "Matt Hughes chokes Ricardo Almeida unconscious", "UFC 117 bonuses: Struve, Silva, Sonnen and Hughes earn $60,000 fighter awards", "UFC 117 Bonuses: Silva, Sonnen, Hughes, Struve Rewarded", "Matt Hughes, BJ Penn to Complete Trilogy at UFC 123 in Michigan", "Matt Hughes looks to regroup after knockout loss to B.J. Caio Borralho sets his sights on Derek Brunson after his UFC Fight Night 223 submission win. Matt and his twin brother were born on the same day as their father. The Foundation, of which Hughes was a board member for five years, provides care for families with brain and spinal cord injuries. [97] This fight was later changed to December 29, 2007, in Las Vegas, at UFC 79: Nemesis. He exchanged his wedding vows with his long-term girlfriend turned wife, Audra Moore-Hughes. I am a student and a blogger all alone, Gurmeet. [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. Hughes now had four wins over mixed martial artists with ties to the Gracies, including UFC pioneer Royce Gracie, the prior mentioned Renzo Gracie and former champ Serra. Penn filed suit against UFC and publicized his side of the conflict, claiming his contract had expired. Quarry", "- ROYCE GRACIE WANTS A REMATCH WITH MATT HUGHES", "Royce gracie wants rematch with Matt Hughes", "UFC 61 SURPASSES $30 MILLION IN PPV SALES", "Matt Hughes vs Royce Gracie How the Battle of Champions Went Down", "St. Pierre Out, Penn in Against Hughes at UFC 63", "St. Pierre Sidelined by Injury; 'The Prodigy' to The Rescue", "- UFC 63 REVIEW: HUGHES BEATS PENN IN A CLASSIC", "B.J.