Matt Hughes is a true fighter….
It’s been a rough week for MMA fans, after two veterans of the UFC were hospitalized in separate incident. Unfortunately for heavyweight Tim Hague, he was pronounced brain dead yesterday following a harrowing knockout loss.
Former two-time UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes was involved in a terrible accident this week. While driving his truck, the ex-champion was struck by a train at a level crossing and rushed to St. John’s Hospital hospital by helicopter.
This happened at noon on Friday June 16. Thankfully the news coming from people around Hughes is positive.
Full details below…
Matt Hughes Awake After Train Wreck
A statement from the hospital read as follows:
MEDIA STATEMENT: Former UFC fighter and Hillsboro native Matt Hughes was airlifted to HSHS St. John’s Hospital in the noon hour on Friday, June 16, 2017. The HSHS St. John’s Regional Trauma Team stabilized him and continues to help him in his recovery.
Hughes’ family asks that you respect their privacy during this difficult time. They ask that you keep Matt in your thoughts and prayers.
Here’s the positive update from MMAFighting.com:
Matt Hughes is “awake and responsive” one day after being seriously injured in a truck-train crash Friday morning, his longtime manager Monte Cox told MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani on Saturday.
Cox, who is speaking directly with Hughes’ brother Mark, said family and doctors are “optimistic and hopeful” about Hughes’ condition.
“He is awake, but eyes closed,” Cox said. “Can squeeze hands.”
Hughes, 43, was driving a pickup truck Friday morning in Raymond, Ill. Per the Illinois State Police, the legendary UFC fighter approached a “railroad grade crossing marked with crossbucks” in the truck. The truck crossed the tracks “directly in front of a train and the train struck the passenger side of the truck,” according to the police release.”
Get Well Soon Matt!
During his time in the UFC, Hughes defeated and competed against some of the greatest fighters of that period. Himself considered one of the best champions ever, let alone at welterweight, Hughes defended the title seven times.
Between 2004-2006, Hughes defeated two of the best fighters on the planet. Beating Georges St-Pierre by armbar at UFC 50, he extended his record to 37-4. Against BJ Penn at UFC 63, Hughes got a TKO win to move to 41-4.
When he eventually retired in 2011, Hughes still had an incredible record of 45-9. Earlier this year he stated a UFC comeback was not completely off the cards. Other classic fights for Hughes in the UFC are ranked among some of the greatest ever.
UFC president Dana White declared Hughes’ match with Frank Trigg as his all time favorite scrap. He also defeated Sean Sherk, Carlos Newton, Royce and Renzo Gracie, Matt Serra, Chris Lytle, Joe Riggs and many more.
We send our best wishes to Matt Hughes and his family at this trying time. Get well soon Matt, and keep on fighting on.
