Is Matt Hughes Back In The Title Mix?

[Turd Ferguson]

I think it's a very legitimate question. I've been under the impression that he's on his retirement tour, and I want to see him retire so badly, because the man is a scumbag and I really think that it's a farce that given everything he chronicled in his book that he's considered such a great representative for the sport.

Either way though, he now has three wins in a row right now, with wins over Matt Serra, Renzo Gracie, and Ricardo Almeida, who I thought was going to quickly rise up the Welterweight ranks, but he put a halt to that. Sure, Hughes is much older now, but he showed in those fights that he absolutely still has it, and is still very much a legitimate threat at 170 lbs. Last night, that finish of Ricardo Almeida was, well, a thing of beauty. That left hook he nailed him with didn't even look like it was that devastating on the surface, until Almeida went flying. Then, that choke hold, which apparently is a rarity to see in MMA, looked absolutely horrifying to be in, and it was lights out for Almeida.

After two losses to GSP and Thiago Alves, Hughes is on a tear right now, and looks like he has caught a second wind. And I think that you have to rank him in the top 10 right now.

I think Hughes could very well face someone like Paulo Thiago, Carlos Condit, or Dan Hardy next. He's definitely a threat right now, and I could see Dana seeing value in one last fight between GSP and Matt Hughes for Hughes' possible retirement match.

 

[INDYjon22]

Matt Hughes has been awesome as of late. I think a lot of people, including myself, wrote him off after both loses to GSP and Alves, but the man still has it. I thought the fight with Serra was a good win but uneventful all the same. Then the fight with Gracie was a bit of a blow off, since Gracie hasn't fought all that much in the last couple years. But, a win over Almeida is damn impressive. It is more impressive that he choked him out. Almeida is a very dangerous fighter and Hughes dismantled him.

I completely believe that Hughes should be ranked in the WW top 10 right now and should get someone like Paulo Thiago, Condit, Hardy, or even one of the AKA guys such as Swick. If he can get one more win I firmly believe we should see him fight for the title one final time, be it against GSP, Kos, Fitch or somebody else. I would also love to see him fight Jake Shields. That fight could be a big money maker.

 

[jmt225]

I think Hughes needs one or two more wins, against a big name, to be in title contention.

Right now though, there's no way anyone could argue him being ranked above Fitch or Shields. Both of those guys would deserve a shot at the WW Champion more so than Hughes.

However, as I've stated in the LD and in the official UFC 117 thread, I think the best solution is to match up Matt Hughes vs. Jon Fitch, if Shields beats Kampmann like he should. If Hughes can somehow defeat Fitch, then yes... he would be more than deserving of a title shot. However, if Hughes beats another opponent that's not even in the top 10, then he will still absolutely be nowhere near the title picture.

The fact is though, Matt Hughes only takes fights he believes he can win. To be honest, I don't even think Hughes would take the fight against Fitch. Any wrestler that's better or on the same level as him... he absolutely will not fight. Fitch and Koscheck both called Hughes out months ago, and instead he fought Renzo Gracie. What the fuck? That's either Hughes being a huge pussy, or just Dana and the UFC protecting him. Either way it's bullshit.

So, yeah... until Hughes can get a couple of wins over top 10 fighters, he does not deserve to be even considered for a title shot. The dude barely beat Matt Serra (I could ever make an argument that Matt Serra won that fight), got took to the limit by Renzo Gracie (who was coming off an almost 4 year lay-off and wasn't even that good to begin), and beat Ricardo Almeida, which was impressive, but Almeida's still not a top 10 fighter. When Hughes beats one or two top 10 fighters, then I'll talk about that motherfucker possibly deserving a title shot. Until then... Hughes can stay his ass in irrelevant mid-card fights.

 

[Dressler]

Do I think he can do it? Yes, Matt Hughes could definitely pull off another run at the Title. Do I think hes going to be fighting long enough to do so, not really. He wants to to wait 'till 2011 to fight again as he wants to take some time off, heal, go hunting and such and come back around the beginning of 2011, he'll be 37 in October. I think he needs to win 2 more fights versus some top of the end guys to get a title shot, which means 2 fights in 2011. That means if he wins, he'll get a shot in 2012. Making him 38. Now does this mean he can't do it? No, Randy Couture did it. Many others have done it. But me personally, I think he'll retire by then.

Now if he doesn't, and can and wants another run at the title, there are a bunch of names out there he could face. Next person I'd like to see him fight, if he wins, is Jake Shields. I think both men could get a serious push from beating the other. Plus it would be a good fight to watch in my opinion.

Another name that pops out is Dan Hardy. If Hughes wins, he gets a major look at another run, if Hardy wins that gets him back on track. Especially if he beats Condit at 120.

However, if Matt just wants to have interesting fights and not go for the title anymore, names like Koscheck, Condit, George St. Pierre IIII and list can go on.

 

[Tha Wolfpac]

Hey Yo!

Personally i cannot stand Matt Hughes, i dislike to the point of hate and maybe a bit further. But regardless that anaconda choke which is the first i've seen in a long time was absolutely impressive to say the least and was devastating. Matt Hughes is a bit of a mixed bag, he can win but never wins when it is most important a trend he has adopted in recent years. If he can rack up two or three wins against Top10 ranked fighters then maybe just maybe he will probably be considered for a title shot, if he hasn't retire by then.

 

[ITurnGirlsGay]

Do I think he can do it? Yes, Matt Hughes could definitely pull off another run at the Title. Do I think hes going to be fighting long enough to do so, not really. He wants to to wait 'till 2011 to fight again as he wants to take some time off, heal, go hunting and such and come back around the beginning of 2011, he'll be 37 in October. I think he needs to win 2 more fights versus some top of the end guys to get a title shot, which means 2 fights in 2011. That means if he wins, he'll get a shot in 2012. Making him 38. Now does this mean he can't do it? No, Randy Couture did it. Many others have done it. But me personally, I think he'll retire by then.

Now if he doesn't, and can and wants another run at the title, there are a bunch of names out there he could face. Next person I'd like to see him fight, if he wins, is Jake Shields. I think both men could get a serious push from beating the other. Plus it would be a good fight to watch in my opinion.

Another name that pops out is Dan Hardy. If Hughes wins, he gets a major look at another run, if Hardy wins that gets him back on track. Especially if he beats Condit at 120.

However, if Matt just wants to have interesting fights and not go for the title anymore, names like Koscheck, Condit, George St. Pierre IIII and list can go on.

I'm not attacking you, personally, but, rather, your comments.

I think it's foolish to say that anyone fighting at this level wouldn't want a title shot. If you don't have the desire to win, you wouldn't be there. Obviously, Matt Hughes still feels he can compete and win. NOTHING about Hughes suggests that he'd simply be doing this for the pay day. He's not Canseco.

Matt Hughes was the most dominant fighter we had ever seen in the UFC. There wasn't anyone that was as dominant as Hughes. People seem to forget, or lose sight of that now that we have GSP, Penn, and Silva. Before them, Hughes WAS the gold standard. Like him or hate him, the man can fucking fight. Some of my most memorable UFC moments have Hughes in them. Him slamming Newton while Newton had the triangle locked in...GOLD.

I, personally, would love to see Hughes vs. Fitch. Fitch isn't a good wrestler. I don't know why people think he is. His collegiate wrestling record is shit. There's a reason he won't fight Koscheck. I believe Hughes would dominate him and give Jeff what he so dearly wants, a Fitch ass beating.

Hughes is still relevant. The man is fucking 45-7. Raise your hand if you were the most dominant UFC champ of all time at one point, beat the best P4P fighter in the world (at that time and maybe now, people forget that Sakurai was considered the best in the world at that point, not to mention he beat GSP), amassed 45 wins and only 7 losses, AND are in the UFC HOF.

 

[Super Hans]

Of the three possible opponents you listed Guy only Paulo Thiago(i think) is available as Dan Hardy is fighting Carlos Condit at UFC 120 over here in the UK. I think he has to take on someone like Thiago or Fitch to be seen as having earned his title fight if he gets it.

 

[Rayne]

I must admit, I would like to see another Hughes vs. GSP. I don't really think it'd go all that well for Matt Hughes, but then again, I thought Silva was going to embarrass Sonnen with Jim Carrey impressions.

He won't get a title shot right now; first, GSP is occupied with Josh Koscheck and TUF for the foreseeable future. In the meantime, he'd need two more wins. First, another win against a quality opponent; one that says to fans that his last victory wasn't just a final hurrah. Then, he'd need to beat Jon Fitch, who is waiting very patiently for Dana White to say "ok, let's do this match again, I've got nothing else planned for Georges."

At that point you can credibly promote the GSP/Hughes fight without it having any taint of gimmick. Which, BTW, would put a lot of asses in seats even if it happened without the buildup, but Dana White is very smart about making sure the titles have integrity.

 

[Buffalo Dave]

I'm in the same boat as everyone else, let Hughes get another win or two before he is in the title picture. Those wins definitely need to come from guys that are in the hunt as well. Whether it be from Hardy, Fitch, Shields, Condit, Kampmann. I know that Kampmann and Shields are fighting and Condit and Hardy each other at two seperate fights in October, Have Hughes definitley face one of the winners out of those fights. Hughes himself said he taking time off to do some hunting and spend time with his family at the end of his fight at UFC 117 so it would make sense by the time he is ready to fight again, either one of the winners in those fights would be ready to fight baring they didn't substain any injuries.

With a win there, Hughes would definitely be near the top of being a contender again. But there is always Fitch too, Fitch in my mind should be getting very seriously looked at for another shot at the title. The guy has been very impressive since his lost to GSP, and well before that too. Hughes can always man-up and take a fight with him when he is ready to go again, If Hughes beat Fitch then I would say he should get another crack at the WW title since he would be the only guy to defeat Fitch in the UFC besides current champ GSP.

 

[Via Armbar]

As much as I hate to say it, Hughes can still give anyone who isn't GSP a run for their money in the welterweight division. He can do what Fitch is best at BETTER than Jon can do it himself. He has the wrestling to control Hardy and could probably fair pretty well in a rematch against Alves. He could probably beat Kampmann the same way, with his wrestling. Really, unless someone catches him standing there isn't very many men who can beat Hughes honestly.

The only way he is beaten is either being tagged with a well timed shot while on the defensive end of his striking game or being out-wrestled. The latter is an extremely hard thing to accomplish. GSP can do it, and Koscheck might be able to do it as well as Shields. Fitch on the other hand, I believe to be on par with Hughes maybe even less. Guys like Hardy just do not have the takedown defense to stop him. Nor the bottom game to scramble out. He is still a very tough opponent for anyone in the division.

Will he be champ again? Highly doubtful. He can absolutely be a contender again though.

 

[ITurnGirlsGay]

As much as I hate to say it, Hughes can still give anyone who isn't GSP a run for their money in the welterweight division. He can do what Fitch is best at BETTER than Jon can do it himself. He has the wrestling to control Hardy and could probably fair pretty well in a rematch against Alves. He could probably beat Kampmann the same way, with his wrestling. Really, unless someone catches him standing there isn't very many men who can beat Hughes honestly.

The only way he is beaten is either being tagged with a well timed shot while on the defensive end of his striking game or being out-wrestled. The latter is an extremely hard thing to accomplish. GSP can do it, and Koscheck might be able to do it as well as Shields. Fitch on the other hand, I believe to be on par with Hughes maybe even less. Guys like Hardy just do not have the takedown defense to stop him. Nor the bottom game to scramble out. He is still a very tough opponent for anyone in the division.

Will he be champ again? Highly doubtful. He can absolutely be a contender again though.

I don't believe that Shields or Koscheck can outwrestle Hughes. At a certain point you have to recognize that Hughes has been in the game so long that he's adapted to so many different styles of MMA grappling that his level trumps 99% of that division.

Does that mean that he will hold the title? No. But he CAN out-grapple those individuals. Shields is a great grappler, but he's not on Hughes level simply because Hughes has been in it for so long. Koscheck isn't on Hughes level of wrestling because of Hughes MMA adaptive wrestling.

GSP is the only person I believe that can out-grapple Hughes in that division.

Stand-up is a different story.

Armbar, I know you and I got into it, but you've quickly become someone that I highly respect.

I just think that Hughes is too effective at grappling for that division. Let's be real, he out-grappled Royce, Almeida, and Penn. That's no small feat.

Koscheck isn't, necessarily, the best at submission skills. Shields is a Gracie black belt and an accomplished wrestler, but I don't think he's as good of a wrestler as Hughes.

I don't subscribe to MMAth. His win over Henderson isn't as impressive to me because I HATE ring rust. I'm not sure Henderson would do much better in a rematch, but I don't think he could do worse. Ring/Cage rust is real. Shields mettle will be proven at the Honda Center.

EDIT: Also, Fitch was a piss poor collegiate wrestler. He truly sucked at Purdue. MMA wrestling has made all the difference in the world for him.

 

[Via Armbar]

I don't believe that Shields or Koscheck can outwrestle Hughes. At a certain point you have to recognize that Hughes has been in the game so long that he's adapted to so many different styles of MMA grappling that his level trumps 99% of that division.

There is definitely the possibility that they cannot out-wrestle him. That alone should be a testament to his skills and relevancy. Two of the top wrestlers in mma all together and an older veteran like Hughes still poses a huge threat. That's saying something. Not to mention, like you said, his grappling is amazing. Wrestling is one thing, holding them down and controlling posture is another and Hughes does it better than those two men.

Does that mean that he will hold the title? No. But he CAN out-grapple those individuals. Shields is a great grappler, but he's not on Hughes level simply because Hughes has been in it for so long. Koscheck isn't on Hughes level of wrestling because of Hughes MMA adaptive wrestling.

Totally understand what you are saying here Shields and Kos both have great wrestling and can really blanket opponents well. That isn't an insult at all, it's a great skill to have. Grappling is different though. Hughes can work more positions and threaten his opponents with more submission, definitely more than Kos. Hughes can grapple and blanket, while Shields and Kos can blanket but much of the time they give that up once they start working.

GSP is the only person I believe that can out-grapple Hughes in that division.

Stand-up is a different story.

Agreed completely.

Armbar, I know you and I got into it, but you've quickly become someone that I highly respect.

Now everyone gets a little defensive over their favorite fighter on occasion right?

I just think that Hughes is too effective at grappling for that division. Let's be real, he out-grappled Royce, Almeida, and Penn. That's no small feat.

Definitely victories worth noting. You have the seasoned vet in Royce, one of the greatest defensive grapplers ever in Penn and a hungry young prospect in Almeida. He has got the field covered. Along with GSP, I do believe that he has best adapted his grappling and wrestling for mma without a doubt.

Koscheck isn't, necessarily, the best at submission skills. Shields is a Gracie black belt and an accomplished wrestler, but I don't think he's as good of a wrestler as Hughes.

Like I said above, both men are great wrestlers but not as good as Hughes at effective post-takedown grappling.

I don't subscribe to MMAth. His win over Henderson isn't as impressive to me because I HATE ring rust. I'm not sure Henderson would do much better in a rematch, but I don't think he could do worse. Ring/Cage rust is real. Shields mettle will be proven at the Honda Center.

Tough fight to watch. I've always been a big Hendo fan but coming into this fight he didn't look the same. Looked a little more doughy and unmotivated than usual and it showed in the fight. Would he do better? Probably but that doesn't mean he would win a rematch. Shields is no joke and is a threat to anyone at either MW or WW.

EDIT: Also, Fitch was a piss poor collegiate wrestler. He truly sucked at Purdue. MMA wrestling has made all the difference in the world for him.

VERY true. That's why his wrestling is sloppy and he needs to pepper in shots not for effectiveness but to make up for lacking abilities in his wrestling. It's good enough to get the takedown but he doesn't do shit once he has it.

 

[ITurnGirlsGay]

You've hit the nail on the head.

I'm actually glad that you've made note of post-takedown posturing and grappling. Hughes has never been someone that sought the LnP. He actively works for position and finishes.

Honestly, I've not seen a wrestler of Hughes caliber that's worked as hard for finishes as successfully as he has. It's a rare art. One, that in my opinion, he perfected. GSP is the only other "wrestler" that works for things as hard as Hughes does, with his success rate.

I know people will say that GSP doesn't, but he does. He's just very cautious about doing so. Hughes got to where he was at by doing the same.

Granted, we were a bit more spoiled with Hughes technique back then because it didn't exist, but the roots are the same.

Armbar, you've really touched on a lot of things. It's about the post-takedown positioning. Hughes is presently, GSP aside, the best at trying to finish fights. GSP is the champ, but Hughes puts forth position like I've never seen before. This is why he will always be a favorite of mine.

 

[ITurnGirlsGay]

Also, for those that have never rolled or grappled, top game is a very difficult thing to maintain.

You're constantly having to sprawl out to maintain position. In doing so, this does not mean that you have the most effective positioning possible. There's plenty of BJJ that goes on in maintaining said position.

A crucifix requires more than just hooks and wrist control. You need to be able to position yourself so that they are unable to sprawl beyond your base. Movement with their weight and hips is required.

It's actually a lot harder to maintain full mount and top position than people actually believe.

Just food for thought.

 

[INDYjon22]

Hughes has been very good as of late and should certainly be on the list of Top 10 Welterweights right now, however, I still think he is a win or two away from being in the title picture. If he took a fight against one of the top guys and won then he would most certainly be back in contention. Give him a fight against Shields, Kos, Fitch, or even Hardy, that will show us what he can do against the cream of the crop and if he can win then hell yeah he should be in line for a title shot. His most recent wins have been impressive and against good fighters but not against the top guys, which is a victory he needs if he wants another shot at the belt.