Python
09-14-2006, 10:38 AM
The Christian---The Man
Matt was born and raised in Hillsboro, a small town with a population of 4500 that is located in south central Illinois. As youngsters, he and his twin brother Mark spent most of their time on the family farm playing and learning the importance of hard work. Matt often remembers being 'volunteered' by his father to help family friends on their farms and still recalls his dad driving home the principle that 'You never take advantage of someone else’s misfortune.'
Matt married Audra on July 9th and was intently seeking answers to many spiritual questions. During a Texas Hold ’Em game at the family farm, he was asked if he would like to help out on a youth group mission trip to a Mexican orphanage named Rancho 3M. He and his brother both committed that night to going, although Matt later confessed his intentions of going were not because of God, but rather because he likes hard work, he likes helping people and enjoys hanging out with some of his new church friends. Needless to say, God had other plans.
While at the orphanage Matt came across a picture inspired by William Booth called “Who Cares?” Fascinated by the picture, he asked others who they thought they were in the picture and maybe, more importantly, who they thought he was. In the picture, a platform of people are surrounded by a raging sea. While those on the platform remain safe, many are drowning in the tempest surrounding them. Matt came to the conclusion that if he were indeed in the picture, then he was amongst those drowning in the water.
On the last evening of the trip at the base of McKelligan Canyon just outside El Paso, TX, Matt was encouraged by his twin brother Mark to take God up on his offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. About the same time Mark was challenging Matt to stop delaying his decision by saying, “The time is now,” Matt was humbly asking Jesus to be Lord and Savior of his life.
His favorite verse comes from 1 Timothy 1:15-16: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
Outside of maintaining his fighting career, Matt has volunteered his time to helping the young people of Hillsboro, 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 in Hillsboro, IL with his wife Audra, son Joey and daughter Hanna Grace.
The Fighter
Quick Stats
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 170 lbs.
Age: 32
DOB: 13 Oct. 1973
Born: Hillsboro, Illinois
Resides: Hillsboro, Illinois
Team: Miletich Fighting Systems
Trainer: Pat Miletich
MMA Record: 42-4-0
Key Strengths:
- Collegiate All-American Wrestler
- Physical Strength
- Octagon Experience
Since that night at the canyon, Matt has regained and successfully defended his welterweight title. In addition, he was one of the coaches for the second season of The Ultimate Fighter, which aired last fall. Since the airing of the television series and his recent victory over Royce Gracie on May 27th, arguably the most high profile victory of his career, Matt has seen a tremendous surge in popularity and recognition. Although he still loves meeting his true fans.
Matt Hughes defending his Title the first time after his lose to BJ (and BJ walking away from the UFC)
_tufc48_hughes_vs_verissimo-2.jpg
Matt Hughes ( 5’9" 170 lb) v Renato Verissimo (6’1" 170 lb) – Welterweight
Referee: Steve Mazzagatti
Hughes went for an immediate takedown to eliminate Verissimo’s reach advantage. With 4.25 remaining, Hughes was successful in his takedown attempt. Up against the Octagon fence, Verissimo had Hughes in a half-guard. At 3.29, Renato caught Matt in a triangle. Matt stood and slammed Renato into the floor to escape the choke. Ring commentator Joe Rogan suggested that technique overcomes power, but it was through strength and determination that Hughes was able to continue.
Verissimo kept fighting from his back with Hughes in his guard. Whenever Matt tried to strike from Renato’s guard, he was under threat from Renato applying triangles or armbars. With 0.16 left, Renato tried for another triangle. At the end of round one, Hughes was the survivor.
In round two, Hughes was in Verissimo’s half-guard, before Matt moved in for a rear-naked choke. However, Renato was too slippery and rolled out At 4.34 Renato had Matt in his full guard, with Matt trying short punches from on top to avoid surrendering an arm to Renato. At 1.20 to go, Verissimo had both of Hughes’s arms trapped with his left arm and was delivering right elbows to Matt’s head.
Referee Mazzagatti separated the fighters at 1.20. Renato elected to knee-strike and Matt took the fight back to the ground.
Hughes came out in the final round delivering a right punch and two knees to Verissimo, before taking Renato back to the ground and endeavoring to press Verissimo’s head into the fence. Renato responded from his back with short slaps to Matt’s head. At 0.30 Matt went for a kimura, but Renato was too elusive.
At the end of round two, Joe Rogan had both rounds going to Renato. This fight could have gone either way.
Result: Matt Hughes by unanimous decision
Result Opponent Event Date Method
Win B.J. Penn UFC 63–Hughes vs Penn 9/23/06 TKO (Strikes) 3:53 of rd 3
Win Royce Gracie UFC 60-Hughes vs. Gracie 05/27/06 TKO (Strikes)
Win Joe Riggs UFC 56-Full Force 11/19/05 Submission (Kimura)
Win Frank Trigg UFC52-Couture vs. Liddell 2 04/16/05 Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Win Georges St. Pierre UFC 50-The War of '04 10/22/04 Submission (Armbar)
Win Renato Verissimo UFC 48-Payback 06/19/04 Unanimous Decision
Loss B.J. Penn UFC 46-Supernatural 01/31/04 Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Win Frank Trigg UFC 45-Revolution 11/21/03 Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Win Sean Sherk UFC 42-Sudden Impact 04/25/03 Unanimous Decision
Win Gill Castillo UFC 40-Vendetta 11/22/02 TKO (Cut)
Win Carlos Newton UFC 38-Brawl at the Royal Albert Hall 07/13/02 TKO (Strikes)
Win Hayato Sakurai UFC 36-Worlds Collide 03/22/02 TKO (Strikes)
Win Carlos Newton UFC 34-High Voltage 11/02/01 KO (Slam)
Win Steve Gomm EC 43-Extreme Challege 43 09/08/01 TKO
Win Hiromitsu Kanehara Rings-10th Anniversary 08/11/01 Majority Decision
Win Chatt Lavender EC 41-Extreme Challenge 41 07/13/01 Submission (Side Choke)
Win Scott Johnson EC 40-Extreme Challenge 40 06/16/01 KO
Win John Cronk Gladiators 14 05/11/01 Submission (Strikes)
Win Bruce Nelson FCC 4-Freestyle Combat Challenge 4 03/31/01 Submission (Strikes)
Win Brett Al-azzawi Rings USA-Battle of Champions 03/17/01 Submission (Armbar)
Loss Jose Landi-Jons Shidokan Jitsu-Warriors War 1 02/08/01 KO (Knee to the Head)
Loss Dennis Hallman UFC 29-Defense of the Belts 12/16/00 Submission (Armbar)
Win Maynard Marcum Rings Australia-Free Fight Battle 11/12/00 Submission (Keylock)
Win Robbie Newman Rings USA-Rising Stars Final 09/30/00 Submission (Arm Triangle Choke)
Win Chris Haseman Rings-Millenium Combine 3 08/23/00 Unanimous Decision
Win Joe Guist EC 35-Extreme Challenge 35 06/29/00 Submission (Armbar)
Win Marcelo Aguiar UFC 26-Ultimate Field of Dreams 06/09/00 TKO (Cut)
Win Shawn Peters EC 32-Extreme Challenge 32 05/21/00 Submission (Choke)
Win Alexandre Barros WEF 9-World Class 05/13/00 Unanimous Decision
Win Eric DaVilla SB 17-SuperBrawl 17 04/15/00 Submission (Keylock)
Win Jorge Pereira WEF 8-Goin' Platinum 01/15/00 TKO (Doctor Stoppage)
Win Daniel Vianna Independent Event 11/20/99 TKO (Slam)
Win LaVerne Clark EC 29-Extreme Challenge 29 11/13/99 Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Win Tom Schmitz EC 29-Extreme Challenge 29 11/13/99 Submission (Eye Injury)
Win Joe Doerksen EC 29-Extreme Challenge 29 11/13/99 Submission (Strikes)
Win Valeri Ignatov UFC 22-There Can Be Only One Champion 09/24/99 Decision
Win Akihiro Gono Shooto-10th Anniversary Event 05/29/99 Unanimous Decision
Win Erick Snyder JKD-Challenge 4 04/24/99 TKO (Slam)
Win Joe Stern EC 23-Extreme Challenge 23 04/02/99 Submission
Win Ryan Stout ES-Extreme Shootfighting 12/11/98 TKO (Towel)
Loss Dennis Hallman EC 21-Extreme Challenge 21 10/17/98 TKO (Guillotine Choke)
Win Dave Menne EC 21-Extreme Challenge 21 10/17/98 Decision
Win Victor Hunsaker EC 21-Extreme Challenge 21 10/17/98 TKO (Strikes)
Win Craig Quick JKD-Challenge 1 04/25/98 Submission (Strikes)
Tapout Submission Awards
November 21, 2003 UFC 45 - Revolution
October 22, 2004 UFC 50 - The War of '04
April 16, 2005 UFC 52 - Couture vs. Liddell 2
November 19, 2005 UFC 56 - Full Force
Information contained in this thread are compliments of the following websites;
UFC.tv ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
Matt Hughes.com ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
And personal views and opinions.
Matt was born and raised in Hillsboro, a small town with a population of 4500 that is located in south central Illinois. As youngsters, he and his twin brother Mark spent most of their time on the family farm playing and learning the importance of hard work. Matt often remembers being 'volunteered' by his father to help family friends on their farms and still recalls his dad driving home the principle that 'You never take advantage of someone else’s misfortune.'
Matt married Audra on July 9th and was intently seeking answers to many spiritual questions. During a Texas Hold ’Em game at the family farm, he was asked if he would like to help out on a youth group mission trip to a Mexican orphanage named Rancho 3M. He and his brother both committed that night to going, although Matt later confessed his intentions of going were not because of God, but rather because he likes hard work, he likes helping people and enjoys hanging out with some of his new church friends. Needless to say, God had other plans.
While at the orphanage Matt came across a picture inspired by William Booth called “Who Cares?” Fascinated by the picture, he asked others who they thought they were in the picture and maybe, more importantly, who they thought he was. In the picture, a platform of people are surrounded by a raging sea. While those on the platform remain safe, many are drowning in the tempest surrounding them. Matt came to the conclusion that if he were indeed in the picture, then he was amongst those drowning in the water.
On the last evening of the trip at the base of McKelligan Canyon just outside El Paso, TX, Matt was encouraged by his twin brother Mark to take God up on his offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. About the same time Mark was challenging Matt to stop delaying his decision by saying, “The time is now,” Matt was humbly asking Jesus to be Lord and Savior of his life.
His favorite verse comes from 1 Timothy 1:15-16: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
Outside of maintaining his fighting career, Matt has volunteered his time to helping the young people of Hillsboro, 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 in Hillsboro, IL with his wife Audra, son Joey and daughter Hanna Grace.
The Fighter
Quick Stats
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 170 lbs.
Age: 32
DOB: 13 Oct. 1973
Born: Hillsboro, Illinois
Resides: Hillsboro, Illinois
Team: Miletich Fighting Systems
Trainer: Pat Miletich
MMA Record: 42-4-0
Key Strengths:
- Collegiate All-American Wrestler
- Physical Strength
- Octagon Experience
Since that night at the canyon, Matt has regained and successfully defended his welterweight title. In addition, he was one of the coaches for the second season of The Ultimate Fighter, which aired last fall. Since the airing of the television series and his recent victory over Royce Gracie on May 27th, arguably the most high profile victory of his career, Matt has seen a tremendous surge in popularity and recognition. Although he still loves meeting his true fans.
Matt Hughes defending his Title the first time after his lose to BJ (and BJ walking away from the UFC)
_tufc48_hughes_vs_verissimo-2.jpg
Matt Hughes ( 5’9" 170 lb) v Renato Verissimo (6’1" 170 lb) – Welterweight
Referee: Steve Mazzagatti
Hughes went for an immediate takedown to eliminate Verissimo’s reach advantage. With 4.25 remaining, Hughes was successful in his takedown attempt. Up against the Octagon fence, Verissimo had Hughes in a half-guard. At 3.29, Renato caught Matt in a triangle. Matt stood and slammed Renato into the floor to escape the choke. Ring commentator Joe Rogan suggested that technique overcomes power, but it was through strength and determination that Hughes was able to continue.
Verissimo kept fighting from his back with Hughes in his guard. Whenever Matt tried to strike from Renato’s guard, he was under threat from Renato applying triangles or armbars. With 0.16 left, Renato tried for another triangle. At the end of round one, Hughes was the survivor.
In round two, Hughes was in Verissimo’s half-guard, before Matt moved in for a rear-naked choke. However, Renato was too slippery and rolled out At 4.34 Renato had Matt in his full guard, with Matt trying short punches from on top to avoid surrendering an arm to Renato. At 1.20 to go, Verissimo had both of Hughes’s arms trapped with his left arm and was delivering right elbows to Matt’s head.
Referee Mazzagatti separated the fighters at 1.20. Renato elected to knee-strike and Matt took the fight back to the ground.
Hughes came out in the final round delivering a right punch and two knees to Verissimo, before taking Renato back to the ground and endeavoring to press Verissimo’s head into the fence. Renato responded from his back with short slaps to Matt’s head. At 0.30 Matt went for a kimura, but Renato was too elusive.
At the end of round two, Joe Rogan had both rounds going to Renato. This fight could have gone either way.
Result: Matt Hughes by unanimous decision
Result Opponent Event Date Method
Win B.J. Penn UFC 63–Hughes vs Penn 9/23/06 TKO (Strikes) 3:53 of rd 3
Win Royce Gracie UFC 60-Hughes vs. Gracie 05/27/06 TKO (Strikes)
Win Joe Riggs UFC 56-Full Force 11/19/05 Submission (Kimura)
Win Frank Trigg UFC52-Couture vs. Liddell 2 04/16/05 Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Win Georges St. Pierre UFC 50-The War of '04 10/22/04 Submission (Armbar)
Win Renato Verissimo UFC 48-Payback 06/19/04 Unanimous Decision
Loss B.J. Penn UFC 46-Supernatural 01/31/04 Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Win Frank Trigg UFC 45-Revolution 11/21/03 Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Win Sean Sherk UFC 42-Sudden Impact 04/25/03 Unanimous Decision
Win Gill Castillo UFC 40-Vendetta 11/22/02 TKO (Cut)
Win Carlos Newton UFC 38-Brawl at the Royal Albert Hall 07/13/02 TKO (Strikes)
Win Hayato Sakurai UFC 36-Worlds Collide 03/22/02 TKO (Strikes)
Win Carlos Newton UFC 34-High Voltage 11/02/01 KO (Slam)
Win Steve Gomm EC 43-Extreme Challege 43 09/08/01 TKO
Win Hiromitsu Kanehara Rings-10th Anniversary 08/11/01 Majority Decision
Win Chatt Lavender EC 41-Extreme Challenge 41 07/13/01 Submission (Side Choke)
Win Scott Johnson EC 40-Extreme Challenge 40 06/16/01 KO
Win John Cronk Gladiators 14 05/11/01 Submission (Strikes)
Win Bruce Nelson FCC 4-Freestyle Combat Challenge 4 03/31/01 Submission (Strikes)
Win Brett Al-azzawi Rings USA-Battle of Champions 03/17/01 Submission (Armbar)
Loss Jose Landi-Jons Shidokan Jitsu-Warriors War 1 02/08/01 KO (Knee to the Head)
Loss Dennis Hallman UFC 29-Defense of the Belts 12/16/00 Submission (Armbar)
Win Maynard Marcum Rings Australia-Free Fight Battle 11/12/00 Submission (Keylock)
Win Robbie Newman Rings USA-Rising Stars Final 09/30/00 Submission (Arm Triangle Choke)
Win Chris Haseman Rings-Millenium Combine 3 08/23/00 Unanimous Decision
Win Joe Guist EC 35-Extreme Challenge 35 06/29/00 Submission (Armbar)
Win Marcelo Aguiar UFC 26-Ultimate Field of Dreams 06/09/00 TKO (Cut)
Win Shawn Peters EC 32-Extreme Challenge 32 05/21/00 Submission (Choke)
Win Alexandre Barros WEF 9-World Class 05/13/00 Unanimous Decision
Win Eric DaVilla SB 17-SuperBrawl 17 04/15/00 Submission (Keylock)
Win Jorge Pereira WEF 8-Goin' Platinum 01/15/00 TKO (Doctor Stoppage)
Win Daniel Vianna Independent Event 11/20/99 TKO (Slam)
Win LaVerne Clark EC 29-Extreme Challenge 29 11/13/99 Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Win Tom Schmitz EC 29-Extreme Challenge 29 11/13/99 Submission (Eye Injury)
Win Joe Doerksen EC 29-Extreme Challenge 29 11/13/99 Submission (Strikes)
Win Valeri Ignatov UFC 22-There Can Be Only One Champion 09/24/99 Decision
Win Akihiro Gono Shooto-10th Anniversary Event 05/29/99 Unanimous Decision
Win Erick Snyder JKD-Challenge 4 04/24/99 TKO (Slam)
Win Joe Stern EC 23-Extreme Challenge 23 04/02/99 Submission
Win Ryan Stout ES-Extreme Shootfighting 12/11/98 TKO (Towel)
Loss Dennis Hallman EC 21-Extreme Challenge 21 10/17/98 TKO (Guillotine Choke)
Win Dave Menne EC 21-Extreme Challenge 21 10/17/98 Decision
Win Victor Hunsaker EC 21-Extreme Challenge 21 10/17/98 TKO (Strikes)
Win Craig Quick JKD-Challenge 1 04/25/98 Submission (Strikes)
Tapout Submission Awards
November 21, 2003 UFC 45 - Revolution
October 22, 2004 UFC 50 - The War of '04
April 16, 2005 UFC 52 - Couture vs. Liddell 2
November 19, 2005 UFC 56 - Full Force
Information contained in this thread are compliments of the following websites;
UFC.tv ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
Matt Hughes.com ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
And personal views and opinions.