Who Is Matt Hughes (fighter)? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on October 13, 1973, Matt Hughes is a retired American wrestler and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter renowned for his accomplishments in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Hughes began his career in the sport in the late 1990s and quickly became one of the most dominant welterweights in MMA history. He held the UFC Welterweight Championship for an impressive tenure and is celebrated for his grappling prowess and powerful fighting style.
As of 2025, Matt Hughes is 51 years old. Over the years, he has not only made a name for himself in the octagon but has also inspired many aspiring fighters around the world.
| Occupation | Martial Artist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 13, 1973 |
| Age | 51 Years |
| Birth Place | Hillsboro, Illinois, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Matt Hughes (fighter)'s Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
In his fighting prime, Matt Hughes stood at 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) and weighed approximately 170 lbs (77 kg) when competing in the welterweight division. Known for his muscular build, Hughes maintained excellent fitness throughout his career, which significantly contributed to his fighting success.
Hughes's next fight took place at UFC 56: Full Force, where he was scheduled to fight Judo practitioner Karo Parisyan. After Parisyan suffered a hamstring injury and could not fight, Joe Riggs took his place. The match was originally scheduled as a title bout, but since Riggs could not meet the 170-pound weight limit, it became a non-title fight.
It marked the first time for the UFC that a title fight had to be called off for this reason.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Matt Hughes has been quite private about his personal life. He was previously married to his ex-wife, Audra, with whom he shares two children. As of 2025, there have been no confirmed reports about his current relationship status or any new romantic interests. Hughes has often chosen to focus on his professional endeavors rather than publicly discussing his dating life.
Hughes is a born again Christian and regularly posts Bible verses on his website. Hughes and his wife have two daughters together. She also has a son from a previous relationship. Matt and his twin brother were born on their father's birthday.
Net Worth and Salary
With a career that spanned several years and included numerous championship fights, Matt Hughes has amassed a considerable fortune. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated to be around $10 million. This wealth stems not only from his fighting career but also from various endorsements, appearances, and his involvement in the sports industry following his retirement.
Hughes was scheduled to fight Georges St-Pierre in a rematch at UFC 63, but after St-Pierre sustained a severe groin injury, the UFC announced that B.J. Penn would replace him in the title fight. At this point in their careers, Penn was the only mixed martial artist to beat Hughes after March 2001.
In fact, it was Hughes's only loss in his last 19 fights. In the bout, Penn controlled the first two rounds, but sustained a rib injury during the scramble to take Hughes's back in round two. He was visibly different in the third round, appearing exhausted and missing punches he was landing earlier.
Hughes was able to take Penn to the mat, and in side-control crucifix position rained punches on Penn's head until referee "Big" John McCarthy stopped the fight at 3:53 of the third round. In the process, Hughes became the first man to stop Penn in a fight. Both fighters were awarded the Fight of the Night bonus.
In an interview on Penn's personal website, Penn stated that by round three he could hardly breathe and had no "mobility in his core". Despite the injury, Penn congratulated Hughes, calling him a great fighter and saying he deserved the victory.
Career, Business and Investments
Matt Hughes’s impressive career in the UFC began in 1998 and continued until 2011. After retiring from professional fighting, Hughes shifted his focus to coaching, promoting, and various business ventures. He is actively involved in the MMA community and has taken on roles that help mentor new fighters. Additionally, Hughes has delved into investments which include gyms and training facilities, demonstrating his commitment to the sport and its future.
His college career started at Southwestern Illinois College. Hughes placed fifth in the nation at 158 lb. After Southwestern dropped their wrestling program, Hughes transferred to Lincoln College, where he placed third in the nation, notching a 33–3 record for the Lynx.
Social Network
Matt Hughes maintains an active presence on social media, allowing him to engage with his fans and followers. You can find him on platforms such as:
- Instagram: @matthughes
- Twitter: @matt_hughes
At UFC 42: Sudden Impact, Hughes faced future UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk, winning via unanimous decision. Hughes started the action by taking Sherk down immediately, passing to half guard. Sherk was able to stand for a few seconds before Hughes took him down again.
In round two, they started to trade punches, but eventually Hughes took Sherk down. Like the first round, they stood up for a moment. At the beginning of the third round, Sherk took Hughes down, while Hughes attempted a kimura from the bottom. A late stand up led to a second takedown by Sherk.
Round 4 saw Hughes using his strength to control the challenger on the ground. Sherk took Hughes down again in the fifth round, but the champion controlled the rest of the time sprawl-and-brawling as he finished on top. With the victory, he became the first man to defeat Sherk.
Education
Matt Hughes graduated from Eastern Illinois University, where he distinguished himself in wrestling. His collegiate wrestling experience laid the foundation for his illustrious career in MMA and showcased his dedication to athletics and competition.
Hughes has two siblings, a sister and his twin brother, Mark. During high school they both participated in football and wrestling. Hughes went to Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, Illinois, before transferring to Lincoln College, in Lincoln, Illinois and then on to Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.
