Matt Hughes talked to Ariel Helwani Saturday night, answering questions about whether he's going to retire.
While at UFC On Fox 2 Saturday, MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani caught up with former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes and when asked about his fighting future, Hughes said he wants to compete but there's a few factors that may prohibit that.
The 38-year-old said that he wants to return to the UFC, but his wife wants his fighting career to be done. The deciding factor? UFC President Dana White. At the time of the interview, Hughes said he hadn't talked to White yet but hoped to very soon. He didn't lay out a timetable for a return, but if given the green light, he wants to return as soon "as this old body can get back into shape".
Hughes has lost his last two fights to B.J. Penn and Josh Koscheck by first round knockout, respectively. After competing three times in 2010, Hughes fought just once in 2011 against Koscheck who was an injury replacement for Diego Sanchez.
Hughes also picked his winner for this Saturday's Nick Diaz vs. Carlos Condit UFC 143 bout for the interim UFC Welterweight Championship. See that on the 90 second video after the jump.
0 recs | 37 comments
I met Country Breakfast at the weigh-ins Friday.
He was surprisingly super friendly. They should give him one last opportunity to fight Dennis Hallman.
The Hamburger Pimp - January 30, 2012 via mobile
Agreed
But why are you surprised he was so friendly? He’s not a mean guys, never talks trash or anything.
TheConcreteKid - January 30, 2012
DId you see him on TUF?
I just went back and watched that season a little while ago, he can be kind of a douche
BROCKLESNAR!!!!! - January 30, 2012
I though he was a super douche.
But that was to another fighter. Outside of that he seems like a fan friendly dude.
DankNabbot - January 30, 2012
Some people can be great people, but then when they get into competition mode they transform into a-holes.
My older brother is like that. Super cool dude, but when we play football or basketball, we always end up fighting.
RolloTomasi - January 30, 2012
I think a lot of fighters are like that, frankly
Out of a felt need to generate buzz, or to talk themselves into thinking they’re indestructible. Also, I think a lot of people have a lot of trouble maintaining the line between opponent and coworker. Diaz is a perfect example, and the most honest and direct about it. I just think that at this point, all the narratives have been used so many times that douchebaggery as a substitute for real beef is so overplayed that it seems stale. meh.
DankNabbot - January 30, 2012
I didn't expect him to act like a dick or anything.
however he was extra nice, which took me for a loop.
The Hamburger Pimp - February 3, 2012
He looks like a monk peddling short bread in the photo associated with the article
UncleMax - January 30, 2012
cool shirt bro!
gspmademegay - January 30, 2012
He picked Diaz.
For those that don’t want to watch the video.
sexysassytravismmafan - January 30, 2012
Let him fight GSP. I mean, GSP’s done, right? That’s all we’ve been hearing here on BE for last couple of months.
But seriously, I’m not sure who’s a good fight for Hughes anymore. Who’s a big name enough while not being too dangerous on the feet… Hardy, I suppose, but I’m kind of sick of watching him fight by now… Maybe we get the Hughes/Sanchez fight if he loses to Ellenberger?
Shnak - January 30, 2012
I'd be interested in seeing both of the ones you mentioned
Hughes didn’t look great against Kos, but Kos is a miserable matchup for him. I think he can still be dangerous to mid-level guys.
From the UFC’s perspective, its probably best to feed Hughes to an up-and-comer who can build off of a name win, but I’m not sure I know who that up-and-comer is.
Dave Strummer - January 30, 2012
I’d be surprised if Hughes took a fight with an up-and-comer… but a fight with Sanchez, definintely. I’m hoping Ellenberger beats Sanchez and we get to see Hughes/Sanchez. I can’t think of a better fight for him that I actually want to see.
Shnak - January 30, 2012
just curious...
wouldnt diego smash hughes at this point?
gspmademegay - January 30, 2012
I'd pick Diego to win
but I think “smash” is pretty strong. Diego doesn’t have a lot of punching power, and I don’t think that he’s going to dominate Hughes wrestling. Diego probably wins being the more active guy over three rounds, but I don’t see it being a mismatch.
Dave Strummer - January 30, 2012
Possibly… but Sanchez doesn’t have a history of KO’ing people left and right…
But we know Hughes only wants to fight a ‘name’ guy… if not Sanchez, who else? He’s faced a lot of the ‘name’ guys already…
Shnak - January 30, 2012
yeah that's definitely a fun fight
and an interesting style matchup. And since I really don’t see Diego ever making much noise at the top of WW, it’s not a waste to have him fight Hughes.
Dave Strummer - January 30, 2012
Yeah, Hughes really got an awful matchup when Diego got hurt. I think the UFC can still sell a Hughes vs Diego fight as a co-main, and its a competitive fight.
Hardcharger - January 30, 2012 via mobile
He should fight the loser of Shields/Akiyama
discoandherpes - January 30, 2012
Hughes vs Frank Shamrock at some catchweight
Both retire afterwards and Frank gets put into the HOTF like he’s supposed to be.
menckenstein - January 30, 2012
Def agree about the HOF part, but who cares about that matchup when both are so past their primes?
phantom5691 - January 30, 2012
Just so they're fighting someone on their own level
Frank had the good sense to retire when it was time but one more outing on the biggest stage against a fellow legend would be great.
menckenstein - January 30, 2012
But why even have that fight? Nobody wants to see an old broken down Frank Shamrock fight in the UFC.
Shnak - January 30, 2012
Replace any "up and coming" HW match with that fight
Infinitely better.
menckenstein - January 30, 2012
Disagree. I’d much rather see a fight like Barry/Morecraft than Hughes/Shamrock.
Shnak - January 30, 2012
That was one of the worst televised fights ever
It was only slightly less offensive than Konrad v Buentello
menckenstein - January 30, 2012
You didn’t like Barry/Morecraft? Are you dead inside? Do you not like MMA?
Shnak - January 30, 2012
That question should be asked of the person who prefers that fight to Hughes v Shamrock
Mr. 1700’s Cowboys
menckenstein - January 30, 2012
Remember how terrible Hughes/Gracie was at UFC 112? Hughes/Shamrock would be even worse, and Shamrock would need crutches just to get into the cage, not to mention just to stand up with Rogan to give him his losing interview… His body is broken like MMA fighters’ bodies rarely break on them. There’s a reason he last fought almost 3 years ago. He just can’t do it anymore.
Shnak - January 30, 2012
Hughes vs Gracie was a slaughter because Royce never evolved
Frank was a “complete” fighter back in the paleolithic era of MMA and despite being battleworn (which Hughes is too) I think it’d be a decent scrap. Frank’s trouble on the ground for anyone and K1 Hughes wouldn’t offer much of a threat on the feet.
menckenstein - January 30, 2012
Who’s talking about Royce? I’m talking about Renzo Gracie back at UFC 112… that was a joke of a fight, and Hughes fighting Frank Shamrock would be even worse as he can barely stand up nowadays.
Shnak - January 30, 2012
Oops, sorry I forgot about that fight because that whole end of the PPV was a giant WTF
That fight was awful and you’re greatly exaggerating FRANK Shamrock’s condition. If you were going on about Ken I’d agree but Frank isn’t nearly as depleted as Ken.
menckenstein - January 30, 2012
Agree with you menckenstein, Shamrock vs Hughes would be a good entertaining scrap. Shamrock is a LOT more well rounded than a lot of guys currently under contract with Zuffa.
sheikybaby - January 30, 2012
Big Johnson vs HD Barry
That would be a fun fight.
fightersvizion - January 30, 2012 via mobile
Hughes vs Fitch make it so
DirtyML - January 30, 2012
"My wife's a great lady but she's not gonna decide when Matt Hughes retires."
RolloTomasi - January 30, 2012
WIN!
DankNabbot - January 30, 2012
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