Modern fighting without rules is one of the fastest growing sports, as evidenced by the increase in the number of practicing highlight fighters. Matt Hughes became interested in mixed martial arts while still in school, and is currently the American UFC Welterweight Champion. He has 45 wins and 9 losses.
Biography of Matt Hughes
Childhood of an athlete
Matt Hughes, full name Matthew Allen Hughes, was born on October 13, 1973 in the small town of Hillsborough (USA). Matt has a twin brother, Mark. His father was engaged in farming and the boys from childhood helped him in his work. While studying at school, the brothers actively played football and even then an interest in wrestling arose, taking part in intra-school tournaments. As a child, Mark won more often than Matt.
Matt's sports career
In high school, Matt Hughes was selected to the state wrestling team and for 4 years was undefeated, winning one after another all the state championships in weight up to 145 pounds. His brother was the state's second wrestler. After graduating from high school, the brothers entered Belleville College. But after the first year, the sport of wrestling was excluded from university sports, so they continued to practice wrestling at Lincoln College. Matt earned All-American Junior League wrestler status, competing for both colleges. In the 158-pound weight category, Matt finished 5th, and a year later, 3rd. All four years of study, the athlete fought for colleges, receiving All-American League Wrestler awards.
In 1996, after completing his studies, Matt was offered to become a wrestling assistant at Eastern University. In the same year, the wrestler earned his $ 100 in the Madonna High School fight. In 1997, the second battle took place. It also ended with a victory. So 6 fights passed, Matt gained fame in the USA, he was invited to battles in Japan, Great Britain and other countries.
First belt and first championship race
On March 22, 2002, Matt defeated Japanese MMA fighter Hayato Sakurai, who has been fighting since 1996. He had thirty-eight victories and twelve losses. Took part in tournaments of such promotions as Pride FC, UFC, Shooto.
On July 13, 2002, a sports organization based in Las Vegas, USA and holding mixed martial arts fights around the world - UFC 38 awarded the welterweight title to Matt Hughes for the first time when he defeated world champion Carlos Newton. Matt Hughes defended his welterweight title against Carlos Newton in the first UFC raid in London, England's Royal Albert Hall.
On November 22, 2002, Matt won an ultimate fight against American fighter Jill Castillo, who was fighting for the UFC welterweight championship. Castillo lost through the doctor's stop due to a cut received in the first round by TKO (dissection).
On January 31, 2004, there was a title confrontation between Matt Hughes and BJ Penn, an American professional MMA fighter in the light and welterweight division. Penn simply strangled Matt Hughes in the first round, ending his 13-fight winning streak.
Hughes was the welterweight champion, his memorable championship race lasted for 820 days (November 2, 2001 - January 31, 2004), for which he spent five defenses.
Thanks to the memorable slam knockout of Carlos Newton in 2001, Hughes' career could be defined by one highlight. However, unlike many other highlighter fighters, Matt has won enough awards to make that slam something memorable in his career. After winning the belt, Hughes defended his title five times, four of them ahead of schedule.
Second championship race
Hughes also had a second championship race in which he beat Georges St-Pierre, Frank Trigg, B. J. Penn and Royce Gracie in a non-title super fight, but his first title holder was objectively better. And these merits cement his status as one of the best fighters of his era.
In 2013, Matt ended his career with 45 wins and 9 losses.
Personal life
After losing to BJ Penn in 2004, the athlete began attending church with his longtime girlfriend and fiancée, Audra Moore. Matt and his brother always attended church as a child, their mother taught them to do so. But with the beginning of interest in fighting, these visits stopped. At almost the same time, Mark and his wife Emily began looking for a church for their family. Although this was unplanned, both brothers began to attend the same church. Shortly thereafter, Mark Hughes dedicated his life to Jesus and was baptized. Matt married Audra and is diligently seeking answers to many spiritual questions.
In 2017, Hughes' car got stuck on the tracks. The site was in a rural area, so there were no barriers there. Matt saw an approaching train and wanted to pass quickly, but failed. He was hit by a train, which led to a serious brain injury to the former fighter. The athlete survived despite a serious injury. But after this incident, Matt began to show outbursts of violence against his wife and loved ones. Brother Mark demanded that the court not approach him and his family.
In February 2019, Hughes attended the UFC St. Louis tournament as a guest of honor. Limping, he walked to the place with which he connected life - the octagon. The spectators gave a standing ovation to the fighter. Matt went to the song "A Country Boy Can Survive" by Hank Williams - he used to go out to fight with it. But this time the line "the country boy can survive" took on a new meaning.
