Report Last Updated - 11/02
Birthdate - 10/13/73
5'9" 169 lbs. - Hillsboro, IL
Team - Team Extreme
Style - Miletech Fighting Systems

Career Highlights - n/a

Striking - Matt Hughes went from being an excellent freestyle wrestler to a very talented Mixed Martial Artist largely due to the guidance of Pat Miletech. He parlayed his tremendous power and skill primarily into boxing skill. Hughes has thunder in his punches and while not a natural like Dan Henderson or Tito Ortiz, he is always improving. He loves to ground n' pound and has evolved from just throwing punches to now using knees and elbows very effectively.

Wrestling - If not the best wrestler in his weight class, Matt Hughes is inarguably the strongest. He uses slams as much and as effectively as anyone has which displays his awesome power. By using these big takedowns, Hughes seems able to force anybody into his type of fight.

Hooking - Though Hughes is not much of a submission fighter, he is unquestionably training to defend it by Pat Miletech and Jeremy Horn. From getting beaten by Dennis Hallman in mere seconds many fights ago to fending off some of the best submission fighers in recent fights.

Strengthes - Matt Hughes greatest strength is strength itself. Probably the most powerful fighter pound-for-pound, Hughes is able to throw around his welterweight opposition. We've seen him take down and hold down the best fighters in his weight class.

Weaknesses - In looking at Matt Hughes' record, he certainly looks like a wrestler, who we've seen can be the most prone to submissions. Hughes has taken quite a while to faze out that flaw and while he looks smart at times, it still catches up with him now and again. Since fighters must lose eventually, expect a submission fighter to get the job done eventually.

Outlook - Premier welterweight in the world? One could certainly argue that. Matt Hughes has beaten Hayato Sakurai and Carlos Newton and established himself strongly. While he still has up-and-comers that he'll both be fed early or deal with later, Hughes has a sound future. His biggest threat remains in Pride - Anderson Silva and until he defeats him, Hughes is the disputed king of the division.