Hughes made his mixed martial arts debut on Januat Joe Goytia's JKD Challenge. Hughes competed in the prestigious ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship, in which he held a record of 2вЂ“2, beating Ricardo Almeida and Jeremy Horn, and losing to Jeff Monson and Tito Ortiz. He finished with an 80вЂ“15 record for Eastern Illinois. ДЄfter graduation Hughes continued wrestling at Eastern Illinois University, where he was a two-time NCAA Division I All-American placing eighth in 1996 and fifth in 1997 at 158В lb. After Southwestern dropped their wrestling program, Hughes transferred to Lincoln College, where he placed third in the nation, notching a 33вЂ“3 record for the Lynx. Hughes placed fifth in the nation at 158В lb. His college career started at Southwestern Illinois College.

Over the final three years of high school, he totaled 131 wins against only 2 losses, both during his sophomore year (sophomore 43вЂ“2 junior 43вЂ“0 senior 45-0). During his junior and senior years, Matt went undefeated and won back-to-back state championships in the 145В lb class. He won in 19 while attending Hillsboro High School. Hughes was a two-time 145В lb IHSA ( Illinois High School Association) Class A state wrestling champion. Hughes went to Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, Illinois, before transferring to Lincoln College, in Lincoln, Illinois and then on to Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois. During high school they both played football and wrestling. Hughes has two siblings, a sister and his twin brother, Mark. Matthew Allen Hughes was born on October 13, 1973, in Hillsboro, Illinois. 3.6 Interim Welterweight Championship bout.3.2 Loss to Penn and regaining the title.

Hughes never liked the idea, however, and considers himself primarily an amateur and submission wrestler. His mastery of submissions, and having submission wins over various black belt holders, are the reasons why Joe Rogan thinks he deserved to get a black belt for BJJ.

Hughes has no nickname, although because of his successes against Gracie Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) practitioners such as Royce Gracie, Renzo Gracie, Ricardo Almeida, and Matt Serra, people often refer to him as 'the Gracie Killer' (the same as Sakuraba's nickname). In 2011, Hughes became host of Outdoor Channel's Trophy Hunters TV. In 2008, Hughes published his autobiography, Made in America, which made the New York Times bestseller list. ДЄ long-time member of Miletich Fighting Systems, Hughes left the Miletich camp in late 2007 to start Team Hughes. He was also regarded by many analysts and several media outlets as one of the greatest welterweight fighters of all time, as well as one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in the sport's history. Дuring his reign, Hughes was considered the #1 pound-for-pound mixed martial artist in the world. In May 2010, Hughes became the eighth inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame. During his tenures in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Hughes put together two separate six-fight winning streaks, defeated all the available opposition in the welterweight division, and defended the belt a then-record seven times. Widely considered among the greatest fighters in the history of MMA, he is a two-time UFC Welterweight Champion, UFC Hall of Fame inductee, and NJCAA Hall of Fame inductee. Matthew Allen Hughes (born October 13, 1973) is an American retired mixed martial artist with a background in wrestling.

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