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 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Matt Hughes submits Frank Trigg in their 2nd fight
On April 16, 2005 Matt Hughes defended his UFC welterweight title against Frank Trigg. It was their second meeting. Hughes was 31 years old with a record of 37-4, and Trigg was 32 with a record of 12-2. Both Hughes and Trigg were on a 2-fight winning streak. Hughes submitted Frank Trigg via rear-naked choke in the 1st round. Defended the title.
7. Matt Hughes submits Georges St-Pierre
On October 22, 2004 Matt Hughes fought Georges St-Pierre for the vacant UFC welterweight title. Hughes was 31 years old with a record of 36-4, and St-Pierre was 23 with a record of 7-0. Hughes was coming off a win and St-Pierre was on an undefeated 7-fight winning streak. Hughes submitted Georges St-Pierre via armbar in the 1st round. Won the vacant title.
8. Matt Hughes submits Frank Trigg
On November 21, 2003 Matt Hughes defended his UFC welterweight title against Frank Trigg. Hughes was 30 years old with a record of 34-3, and Trigg was 31 with a record of 10-1. Hughes was on a 12-fight winning streak and Trigg was on a 3-fight winning streak. Hughes submitted Frank Trigg via standing rear-naked choke in the 1st round. Defended the title.
9. Matt Hughes KOs Gil Castillo
On November 22, 2002 Matt Hughes defended his UFC welterweight title against Gil Castillo. Hughes was 29 years old with a record of 32-3, and Castillo was 37 with a record of 9-1. Hughes was on a 10-fight winning streak and Castillo was coming off a win. Hughes stopped Gil Castillo via TKO in the 1st round. Defended the title.
10. 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.