If Matt Hughes was not already at legendary status, he is now.
The former-UFC welterweight champion of the world was inducted into the Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Fame earlier this weekend as a part of the UFC Fan Expo that took place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. A ceremony was conducted to honor one of the greatest welterweights in the history of the promotion andthe sport itself.
“When we look back tat the history books, Matt Hughes will go down as one of the best 170-pounders of all time,” stated UFC president Dana White. “This is one of the guys who helped build the organization. Matt’s credentials as a mixed martial artist speak for themselves and we’re proud that he now has a well-deserved spot in the UFC Hall of Fame.”
Hughes career in the UFC began in 1999 with a decision victory over Valeri Ignatov and the Illinois native never looked back. He won the UFC welterweight title at UFC 34 against Carlos Newton and defended it five times before losing it to BJ Penn at UFC 46. He then won it back at UFC 50 against current champion Georges St. Pierre and defended it two times prior to losing it in a rematch with the Canadian. The tremendous history is the most dominant run of any welterweight champion in the history of the promotion.
“I never thought about this, to be honest,” stated Hughes. “I’m just a Midwest guy kinda living the dream. But I’m very privileged and I thank the UFC. Shaking hands, signing autographs, being a world title holder and being inducted into the Hall of Fame, this is beyond what I ever would have pictured my life being.”