Matt Hughes

Matt Hughes is without a doubt the greatest welterweight fighter the UFC has ever seen. His MMA record is 43-5 and he has been the UFC Welterweight Champion twice. He is a four time all-American wrestler and competed at the top university levels. He spent most of his early years training and working on the farm with his twin brother Mark, who is also an accomplished amateur wrestler and went 6-2 in the UFC until he stopped fighting in 2003.

To start his career, Matt went 22-1 in different MMA promotions but lost his first UFC fight at UFC 29. He then lost his next MMA fight after catching a knee to the head from Jose Landi-Jons, but after that he went on a 13-fight win streak which included his first UFC title. He has beaten great fighters including the likes of Georges St. Pierre, P.J. Penn, Royce Gracie and Joe Riggs.

Hughes first won the belt back in 2001 against Carlos Newton when he slammed Newton unconscious. He defended that belt five times before P.J. Penn was able to take it away from him in early 2004. Penn vacated the title and Hughes fought Georges St. Pierre for the title again, and won it a second time. P.J. Penn decided to come back after the title but Hughes beat down Penn for his sixth straight win and second straight title defence. Most were surprised when French Canadian Georges St. Pierre beat Hughes handily at UFC 65 and took his belt.

Hughes participated in the second season of the Ultimate Fighter reality show opposite Rich Franklin and made appearances during Ultimate Fighter 5. Since Georges St. Pierre lost his title to Matt Serra, Dana White used the opportunity to put Hughes and Serra opposite each other on the sixth season of the show. The final fight card will include the two fighting for the welterweight championship at the end of the show.

It wouldn’t surprise too many observers if Hughes wins the UFC Welterweight title for a third time, as he matches up well against Serra.