Matt Hughes Inducted Into UFC Hall of Fame
Matt Hughes’ long-expected entry into the UFC Hall of Fame was made official on Friday, as the former welterweight champion was inducted by UFC President Dana White during a ceremony at the UFC Fan Expo in Las Vegas.
A two-time Division I All-American wrestler, Hughes made his MMA debut on New Year’s Day 1998 and quickly made his way to the Octagon, where he debuted with a victory over Valeri Ignatov in September 1999 to improve to 9-1. After improving to 29-3 just two years later, Hughes permanently returned to the UFC in 2001, winning the welterweight title from Carlos Newton and successfully defending it five-times before dropping it to BJ Penn in 2004.
Hughes quickly reclaimed the belt with a victory over Georges St-Pierre later that year, but after four more wins and two title defenses, lost the title to GSP in 2006. After coming up short against St-Pierre in late-2007 in a bid for the interim 170-pound title, Hughes would lose again to Thiago Alves before recently rebounding with back-to-back wins over Matt Serra and Renzo Gracie.
Hughes now stands at 44-7 overall on his career with a 17-5 mark in the UFC, and currently holds the UFC record for wins (17) and title defenses (7), while being tied with Randy Couture for the most title fights (9).
He joins Chuck Liddell, Charles “Mask” Lewis (TapouT founder), Randy Couture, Mark Coleman, Ken Shamrock, Royce Gracie, and Dan Severn in the UFC Hall of Fame.
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Go hughes!!! And He’s back!
A well deserved induction.
Indeed…
he is in pretty good company.
I’m not singling out any specific poster here, but maybe whoever [and you know who you are] should bear this in mind the next time they think about posting pointless sh!t like how “all Matt Hughes does is layNpray” or that “Matt Hughes isn’t that good” or some of the other laughable stuff I’ve seen posted in connection with Hughes’ name in the last year.
You don’t get into the UFC Hall of Fame with Hughes sort of MMA resume for laying and praying, and you don’t win 17 UFC fights and rock 7 title defenses because you aren’t “that good”.
If you don’t care for the guy’s personality, or politics, or religious beliefs, thats one thing, and mostly a matter of opinion and personal preference.
Please, please let Hughes’ HoF entry put an end to those posts questioning the man as a fighter, and that really have no place here at the frenZy…
I totaly agree with this. 100%
I have been defending Hughes for years now. Everyone had some crap to talk or something negative to say. Bottom line is that the man is a legend and has beat down some serious competition.
Thanks for posting the truth.
Nice post jcohl, Matt is easily one of the top 5 ww in the world IMO.
He’s a top 5 fighter of all-time, though top 5 current WW is a little optimistic.
congrats to matt, a true pioneer of the sport.
He might have lost a step or two over time, but I still recall Matt’s debut ufc match and then how he went on to be the most dominant champion to date. Well deserved.
Can’t say I like the guy as a person based off of what Ive seen on TUF when he and Matt Serra where coaches, but you cannot deny the mans abilities. I was shocked when he wasnt inducted into the Hall of Fame back at ufc 100, anyone know who he is fighting next?
hes fighting Ricardo Almeida
http://mmafrenzy.com/14210/matt-hughes-vs-ricardo-almeida-possible-for-ufc-117-on-august-6-in-oakland/
Oh wow thats cool…thanx man. Almeida is a tough cookie at WW, that should be interesting
Well said. The fact that he’s in the Hall of Fame and can still take on tough fights like Almeida and still legitimately be considered a favorite or equal in the fight says a lot for his ability and his overall career. Excellent induction and well deserved!
The man deserves this more than just about anybody. I used to hate him because he was so good and you knew exactly what he was going to do when he fought which is trying to slam your shoulders through the mat and then pound you out or submit you. Matt’s the man and you could even argue that he forced GSP to become the wrestler he is now and got BJ Penn in way condition too. He also has the coolest entrance music in the UFC too. Way to go Hughes
I still watch replays of Hughes/Trigg 2 every now and then. That running across the cage with Trigg and slamming him down is just, well….iconic.
I had been watching UFC since its beginning but it was actually that fight that turned me into a huge fan. I don’t always agree with his personality but the man is an outstanding fighter, and in my book the model of what a true champion should be. I think his induction is long over due and I hope that with a win over Almeida he can get back in the mix and reclaim some of that glory.