Best fights of Matt Hughes
Over 14 years as a professional, Matt Hughes has compiled a 45-9 (35) record, including twelve title fights across two weight classes. Here are his top 10 best fights.
1. Matt Hughes KOs B.J. Penn in their 2nd fight
On September 23, 2006 Matt Hughes defended his UFC welterweight title against B.J. Penn. It was their second meeting. Hughes was 32 years old with a record of 40-4, and Penn was 27 with a record of 10-3-1. Hughes was on a 5-fight winning streak, while Penn was coming off a loss. Hughes stopped B.J. Penn via TKO in the 3rd round. Defended the title.
2. Matt Hughes defeats Chris Lytle
On March 3, 2007 Matt Hughes faced Chris Lytle in a welterweight bout. Hughes was 33 years old with a record of 41-5, and Lytle was 32 with a record of 22-13-5. Both Hughes and Lytle were coming off a loss. Hughes won via unanimous decision.
3. Matt Hughes KOs Royce Gracie
On May 27, 2006 Matt Hughes faced Royce Gracie in a welterweight bout. Hughes was 32 years old with a record of 39-4, and Gracie was 39 with a record of 13-1-3. Hughes was on a 4-fight winning streak. Hughes stopped Royce Gracie via TKO in the 1st round.
4. Matt Hughes defeats Chris Haseman
On August 23, 2000 Matt Hughes faced Chris Haseman in a middleweight bout. Hughes was 26 years old with a record of 19-1, and Haseman was 31 with a record of 12-7. Hughes was on a 15-fight winning streak and Haseman was on a 2-fight winning streak. Hughes won via unanimous decision.
5. Matt Hughes KOs Carlos Newton in their 2nd fight
On July 13, 2002 Matt Hughes defended his UFC welterweight title against Carlos Newton. It was their second meeting. Hughes was 28 years old with a record of 31-3, and Newton was 25 with a record of 11-5. Hughes was on a 9-fight winning streak and Newton was coming off a win. Hughes stopped Carlos Newton via TKO in the 4th round. Defended the title.
6. Matt Hughes defeats Hiromitsu Kanehara
On August 11, 2001 Matt Hughes faced Hiromitsu Kanehara in a middleweight bout. Hughes was 27 years old with a record of 27-3, and Kanehara was 30 with a record of 15-8. Hughes was on a 5-fight winning streak, while Kanehara was on a 2-fight losing streak. Hughes won via majority decision.
7. Matt Hughes defeats Sean Sherk
On April 25, 2003 Matt Hughes defended his UFC welterweight title against Sean Sherk. Hughes was 29 years old with a record of 33-3, and Sherk was 29 with a record of 19-0-1. Hughes was on a 11-fight winning streak and Sherk was on an undefeated 4-fight winning streak. Hughes won via unanimous decision. Defended the title.
8. Matt Hughes KOs Carlos Newton
On November 2, 2001 Matt Hughes fought Carlos Newton for the UFC welterweight title. Hughes was 28 years old with a record of 29-3, and Newton was 25 with a record of 10-4. Hughes was on a 7-fight winning streak and Newton was coming off a win. Hughes stopped Carlos Newton via KO in the 2nd round. Crowned the new welterweight champion.
9. Matt Hughes KOs Hayato Sakurai
On March 22, 2002 Matt Hughes defended his UFC welterweight title against Hayato Sakurai. Hughes was 28 years old with a record of 30-3, and Sakurai was 26 with a record of 19-1-2. Hughes was on a 8-fight winning streak and Sakurai was coming off a win. Hughes stopped Hayato Sakurai via TKO in the 4th round. Defended the title.
10. Matt Hughes chokes out Ricardo Almeida
On August 7, 2010 Matt Hughes faced Ricardo Almeida in a welterweight bout. Hughes was 36 years old with a record of 44-7, and Almeida was 33 with a record of 12-3. Hughes was on a 2-fight winning streak and Almeida was on a 3-fight winning streak. Hughes submitted Ricardo Almeida via choke-out in the 1st round.