Matt Hughes
Matthew Allen Hughes, born on October 13, 1973 in Hillsboro, Illinois, is a professional mixed martial arts fighter and a former UFC Welterweight Champion. Matthew has a twin brother named Mark Hughes and an elder sister, Beth Ulricy. Mark wrestled and defeated Matt in Junior High School. His brother has given up training in mixed martial arts, but has competed in the UFC. With a record of 43-5, Matt has toured the world and become a well-known name amongst mixed martial arts fans. He has proven time and time again that a country boy like him could ‘survive’.
Hughes went to Lincoln College, Illinois and then at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois with an Associate degree in Arts. His numerous accolades include a two-time state champion at Hillsboro High School, a High School All-American, and a four-time collegiate All American at Lincoln Community College and Eastern Illinois University, Middleweight Advanced Champion at the 2002 Grapplers Quest West Championships (2/23/02) and was a coach on the Ultimate Fighter 2.
Matthew Hughes was a two-time 145 lb. state wrestling champion for the IHSA (Illinois High School Association) Class A in the years 1991 and 1992. Matthew is also a two-time Division I All-American wrestler, with an 8th and a 5th place finish in the 158 lb. division. Before entering the world of fighting Hughes was an electrician and did construction and farming for a living as well. Hughes was motivated into getting into fighting professionally by a friend.
Hughes, known for his extreme strength and 'ground-and-pound' style got his greatest opportunity in ‘The Octagon’ in course of UFC 34, when he took the stage in opposition to the world-champion of that time named Carlos Newton. He milked this opportunity by totally knocking out Carlos Newton, in a unique ‘come-from-behind’ victory and eventually earned the belt and title as the "UFC World Welterweight Champion” for the first time. In circa 2004, Matt Hughes lost but again secured his UFC title. But it was the phase amidst the two fights which changed his life greatly. At the period of Matt’s defeat to BJ Penn, he began going to church with Audra Moore, his good friend and fiancée. Attending Church wasn’t a novelty for Matt, however he was not in the habit of attending church regularly. At around the same era, his brother Mark started a lookout for a church to groom their family. Although unintended by both brothers, they landed up selecting that same church.
Soon after that, Mark Hughes devoted got baptized and devoted his existence to Jesus. Besides maintaining his fighting career, Matt has been a volunteer in helping the young people of Hillsboro. He has also traveled back to Rancho 3M for other mission trips and has become an active member of The First Presbyterian Church in Hillsboro. Matt currently lives with his wife Audra, son Joey and daughter Hanna Grace.
By Sherdog.com Staff
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