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Matt Hughes (fighter)

Matthew Allen Hughes is an American retired mixed martial artist and collegiate wrestler best known for his career in the UFC.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Matthew Allen Hughes is an American retired mixed martial artist and collegiate wrestler best known for his career in the UFC. He was a two-time UFC Welterweight Champion and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2010. Hughes is widely regarded as one of the most dominant welterweights in mixed martial arts history.

Early life and wrestling background

Hughes was born in Hillsboro, Illinois, and developed a wrestling background before entering mixed martial arts. Sources describe him as a collegiate wrestler and note his later recognition by the NJCAA Hall of Fame.

Mixed martial arts career

Hughes became one of the UFC’s dominant welterweights, winning the UFC Welterweight Championship twice and posting a long run of victories. He is known for multiple title defences and for competing against top welterweights of his era, including a notable rivalry with Georges St-Pierre.

Awards and recognition

Hughes was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2010. He has also been recognised by wrestling-related halls of fame, reflecting both his collegiate and MMA achievements. Under the leadership of Dana White, the UFC honored Hughes as a pioneer of the sport.

Retirement and later life

By the early 2010s, Hughes had retired from professional MMA. Later coverage also notes a serious train accident in 2017 and subsequent recovery efforts.

Key facts

  • Hughes built his fighting base through wrestling before becoming a professional MMA fighter.
  • He was a two-time UFC Welterweight Champion and defended the title multiple times.
  • He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2010.
  • His UFC record is listed as 45–9–0.
  • He is widely described as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Matt Hughes?
Matt Hughes is an American retired mixed martial artist and wrestler best known for his UFC welterweight career.
What is Matt Hughes known for in MMA?
He is known for being a two-time UFC Welterweight Champion and one of the most dominant welterweights in UFC history.
When was Matt Hughes born?
He was born on October 13, 1973.
What is Matt Hughes’s professional MMA record?
His UFC and MMA records are listed as 45–9–0 in the supplied sources.
Was Matt Hughes inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame?
Yes. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2010.
What is Matt Hughes’s connection to wrestling?
He had a strong wrestling background and was recognised in wrestling halls of fame as well as MMA halls of fame.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Hughes_(fighter)
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, UFC achievements, Hall of Fame induction, wrestling background, general career overview.
  2. National Wrestling Hall of Fame — https://nwhof.org/blog/dg-inductees/matt-hughes
    Supports: Retired American mixed martial artist and collegiate wrestler; UFC and wrestling honours; 2024 nonprofit mention.
  3. UFC — https://www.ufc.com/athlete/matt-hughes
    Supports: Retired status, weight class, place of birth, and official record listing.
  4. UFC Stats — https://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/621a6c59f88a44fe
    Supports: Professional record and basic fighter statistics.