WELTERWEIGHT LEGEND MATT HUGHES JOINS UFC® HALL OF FAME
May 29, 2010
(PRESS RELEASE) -- “A country boy can survive.” For two-time UFC®
welterweight champion Matt Hughes, those words echoed by singer
Hank Williams Jr. don’t just serve as his inspiration before big
fights. For the 36-year-old native of Hillsboro, Ill., those are
words to live by.
Whether it was locking horns with the best of an era in the UFC or plowing acres upon acres of farmland growing up, Hughes’ unreal work ethic and drive have allowed him to not only survive, but excel.
You see, in the world of Matt Hughes, nothing is impossible. The
self-proclaimed “farm boy” has proven that mantra time and time
again inside the UFC’s hallowed Octagonâ„¢. Over a span of 12
years, Hughes has become one of the fiercest competitors to ever
compete. What’s more, Hughes – considered by many to be the
greatest 170-pounder to ever put on four-ounce gloves – has earned
dominant victories over the sport’s most elite challengers.
From Royce Gracie to Georges St-Pierre to BJ Penn to Matt Serra, the four-time All-American collegiate wrestler has dominated the best-of-the-best while also defending the welterweight title seven times over two championship reigns. For these accomplishments, the UFC announced Hughes’ selection into the UFC Hall of Fame.
The official UFC Hall of Fame ceremony took place Friday, May 28 at 6:00pm PT at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center as a part of the UFC® FAN EXPOâ„¢. Hughes joined Chuck Liddell, Charles “Mask” Lewis, Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn, Randy Couture, and Mark Coleman as members of the UFC Hall of Fame. Upon learning of his enshrinement, Hughes was truly honored.
“I never thought about this, to be honest,” said Hughes, who owns wins over six current or former UFC champions. “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.”
Tickets for the UFC® FAN EXPOâ„¢ are on sale now and can be bought exclusively at www.ufcfanexpo.com. This year’s event leads into UFC 114: RAMPAGE vs. EVANS, taking place live at MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA, featuring the long-awaited grudge match between former light heavyweight champions Rampage Jackson and Rashad Evans.
Ultimate Fighting Championship® - www.ufc.com
Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC® produces over twelve UFC live Pay-Per-View events annually and 30 live arena events around the world. UFC programming is distributed in the United States on Viacom, Inc.’s Spike TV and on Comcast, Inc.’s Versus network. UFC content is distributed commercially through Joe Hand Promotions in the U.S. and Canadastar in Canada. Globally, UFC programming is broadcast in over 130 countries, territories and jurisdictions, reaching 430 million homes worldwide, in 20 different languages. Ancillary businesses now include UFC.com with over 5 million unique visitors per month, the best-selling UFC “Undisputed” videogame franchise distributed by THQ, UFC Gymâ„¢, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expoâ„¢ festivals, branded apparel, trading cards, articulated action figures and other media including best-selling DVDs and a U.S. bimonthly magazine.
Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa®, The Octagonâ„¢ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, registered service marks, trademarks, trade dress and/or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC and licensed to its affiliated entities and other licensees in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC, its affiliates or other respective owners.
Whether it was locking horns with the best of an era in the UFC or plowing acres upon acres of farmland growing up, Hughes’ unreal work ethic and drive have allowed him to not only survive, but excel.
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From Royce Gracie to Georges St-Pierre to BJ Penn to Matt Serra, the four-time All-American collegiate wrestler has dominated the best-of-the-best while also defending the welterweight title seven times over two championship reigns. For these accomplishments, the UFC announced Hughes’ selection into the UFC Hall of Fame.
“When we look back at the history books, Matt Hughes will go down
as one of the best 170-pounders of all time,” UFC President Dana
White said. “This is one of the guys who helped build this
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.”
The official UFC Hall of Fame ceremony took place Friday, May 28 at 6:00pm PT at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center as a part of the UFC® FAN EXPOâ„¢. Hughes joined Chuck Liddell, Charles “Mask” Lewis, Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn, Randy Couture, and Mark Coleman as members of the UFC Hall of Fame. Upon learning of his enshrinement, Hughes was truly honored.
“I never thought about this, to be honest,” said Hughes, who owns wins over six current or former UFC champions. “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.”
Tickets for the UFC® FAN EXPOâ„¢ are on sale now and can be bought exclusively at www.ufcfanexpo.com. This year’s event leads into UFC 114: RAMPAGE vs. EVANS, taking place live at MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA, featuring the long-awaited grudge match between former light heavyweight champions Rampage Jackson and Rashad Evans.
Ultimate Fighting Championship® - www.ufc.com
Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC® produces over twelve UFC live Pay-Per-View events annually and 30 live arena events around the world. UFC programming is distributed in the United States on Viacom, Inc.’s Spike TV and on Comcast, Inc.’s Versus network. UFC content is distributed commercially through Joe Hand Promotions in the U.S. and Canadastar in Canada. Globally, UFC programming is broadcast in over 130 countries, territories and jurisdictions, reaching 430 million homes worldwide, in 20 different languages. Ancillary businesses now include UFC.com with over 5 million unique visitors per month, the best-selling UFC “Undisputed” videogame franchise distributed by THQ, UFC Gymâ„¢, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expoâ„¢ festivals, branded apparel, trading cards, articulated action figures and other media including best-selling DVDs and a U.S. bimonthly magazine.
Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa®, The Octagonâ„¢ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, registered service marks, trademarks, trade dress and/or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC and licensed to its affiliated entities and other licensees in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC, its affiliates or other respective owners.
