Under construction: Matt Hughes' H.I.T. Squad gym in Granite City takes shape (Pic)

Props: Matt-Hughes.com
The grand opening of the Granite City, Illinois, MMA training facility is slated for February 9. For more details click here and here.
(Thanks to BloodyElbow.com for the assist.)
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47 comments
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it certainly looks the part, good on you matt!!
by mo on Jan 29, 2008 12:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Man, I would kill to have a Gym like that near me. I work out at a REC center… Not cool, just a bunch of OLD people and high school kids that like to use the word pussy.
by BustYoFace on Jan 29, 2008 12:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Congrats Matt it’s about time. I hope you and the guy’s enjoy this yet another of god’s blessing.
by anthony cazares on Jan 29, 2008 12:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Personally If I was a young fighter looking for a camp, Hughes would not be one of my top 10 choices. Not to discredit him as a fighter or as a camp, but I think he is a limited mma fighter and a terrible approach towards coaching. Him and Shamrock have to be by far the 2 worst coaches on the TUF show. He was a great fighter, I just think there are way better options out there and I could personally probably never be able to deal with his cocky, passive/aggresive personality. I would get pissed, I would say something, and then he would pound my face out…No thanks, I would much prefer other camps.
Put it to you this way if I had to choose between Team Serra or Team Hughes….it wouldnt even be close…Serra all the way.
If I had to choose between team Hughes and Team Franklin….rich all the way!
I could see the local people going to train there. he is probably their local Hero and they have limited options in that6 area… As for me, no thanks…that is not my cup of tea.
Matt Hughes/Pat Mletich = Cobra Cai do jo – Karate kid!
by john on Jan 29, 2008 12:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah man, if you gonna coach you need a certain degree of patience. sometimes encouraging words go further than a punishing beat down. If Hughes was just to teach wrestling and submission,cool. He aint got a clue when it comes to striking
by WayofTheWarrior on Jan 29, 2008 1:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
p.s nice gym, maybe he should play some GSP clips to coach striking
by WayofTheWarrior on Jan 29, 2008 1:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Coach aside, the facility looks pretty impressive
by Gary on Jan 29, 2008 1:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
just like PhilQNY, the mat space is what caught my eye, its huge
by MMA Wallpapers SF on Jan 29, 2008 1:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i would give anything to mover up there and train day in and out no dout the guys that will be commin out of the hit squd will be stacked
by dru on Jan 29, 2008 2:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah man, if you gonna coach you need a certain degree of patience. sometimes encouraging words go further than a punishing beat down. If Hughes was just to teach wrestling and submission,cool. He aint got a clue when it comes to striking
U r right! who wants to learn striking from Matt Hughes? He has never shown any kind of clinch game. Randy evolved and added things to his arsenal. Hughes is the same old Hughes…get u on your back G n P and submission wrestling….Very limited.
Hughes is pretty good at passing the guard and has a wealth of knowledge to offer when it comes to the ground game and being in a big fight. But he is far from the well rounded martial artist!
by john on Jan 29, 2008 2:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Coach aside, the facility looks pretty impressive
Agreed! But what did you expect? Hughes has made a lot of money in the UFC. What did he have 9 title defenses or something. Thats at least 9 huge pay days.
by john on Jan 29, 2008 2:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Does anyone else live near there? I’m thinking of going just to look at it and maybe meet him.
by DoMiNaToR on Jan 29, 2008 2:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If you notice the training center is at an old army base just outside of St. Louis. I think he probably got a good deal on the building. Especially with things in the Mid-West being not so good. But non the less it looks great.
by Mr. Jitters on Jan 29, 2008 2:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Good Coaching is what makes good training camps, not matt space or fancy equipment.
by Ktown on Jan 29, 2008 2:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Good Coaching is what makes good training camps, not matt space or fancy equipment.
True that!
by john on Jan 29, 2008 2:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Personally If I was a young fighter looking for a camp, Hughes would not be one of my top 10 choices. Not to discredit him as a fighter or as a camp, but I think he is a limited mma fighter and a terrible approach towards coaching. Him and Shamrock have to be by far the 2 worst coaches on the TUF show. He was a great fighter, I just think there are way better options out there and I could personally probably never be able to deal with his cocky, passive/aggresive personality. I would get pissed, I would say something, and then he would pound my face out…No thanks, I would much prefer other camps.
Put it to you this way if I had to choose between Team Serra or Team Hughes….it wouldnt even be close…Serra all the way.
If I had to choose between team Hughes and Team Franklin….rich all the way!
I could see the local people going to train there. he is probably their local Hero and they have limited options in that6 area… As for me, no thanks…that is not my cup of tea.
Matt Hughes/Pat Mletich = Cobra Cai do jo – Karate kid!
HughesShamrock fight team??? Imagine that.
On the TUF show it killed me when Dana kept saying " He is the greatest WW champ ever. ". If I was Serra..my response.
" That don’t mean he can coach ". At one point someone should of called th cops on him..he crossed that line a few times and I commend his team for sticking together and striving at the end..but that’s not cuz he was a good coach..he had Mac Danzig and some overrall tuf and hungry guys on his squad. Hughes is a hall of famer..used his Wrestling..the same way Royce used his BJJ till the game upgrade..while everyone is playing PS3..he is still rocking Nintendo ( the first one )
He should bring in some good coaches in all aspects of the game to up his huge facility..that place needs a map.
by PhilQNY on Jan 29, 2008 2:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This news has been floating around for days, yet know one is talking about it:
Undefeated welterweight, Korean fighter Dong Hyun Kim`signs with the UFC. I dont know much about the guy, but he is creating a buzz. I hear he is tall and lanky fighter that walks around over 185 lbs. and will be cutting weight to fight at 170. He will be moving to the USA soon and has yet to decide on a fight camp.
If anyone knows anything about this guy…Please do tell!
by john on Jan 29, 2008 2:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Personally If I was a young fighter looking for a camp, Hughes would not be one of my top 10 choices. Not to discredit him as a fighter or as a camp, but I think he is a limited mma fighter and a terrible approach towards coaching. Him and Shamrock have to be by far the 2 worst coaches on the TUF show. He was a great fighter, I just think there are way better options out there and I could personally probably never be able to deal with his cocky, passive/aggresive personality. I would get pissed, I would say something, and then he would pound my face out…No thanks, I would much prefer other camps.
Put it to you this way if I had to choose between Team Serra or Team Hughes….it wouldnt even be close…Serra all the way.
If I had to choose between team Hughes and Team Franklin….rich all the way!
I could see the local people going to train there. he is probably their local Hero and they have limited options in that6 area… As for me, no thanks…that is not my cup of tea.
Matt Hughes/Pat Mletich = Cobra Cai do jo – Karate kid!
That’s just your style of learning though. Lets keep in mind that everyone learns best in different atmospheres. For some people, negative reinforcement is the best way for them to learn, others psoisitive reinforcment, others repetition. There are countless approaches to teaching and although Matt Hughes looks tough on people…he was respected by a lot of the people that were on the show and it’s hard to gather a true sense for his style from the editting on the TUF show. Shamrock was not respected and they probably tried hard to make him look good but he never took that show seriously.
I also agree that Matt is fairly one dimensional but he has other coaches in his camp to round out the students.
Don’t get me wrong…I’m not a Hughes fan at all but if I had an opportunity to learn from one of the most dominant welterweights in UFC history…I’d jump all over it. Serra looked like a great coach as well and personaly I’d probably learn best under his tutelage from what I saw of his style.
by Buster Bluth on Jan 29, 2008 2:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That’s just your style of learning though. Lets keep in mind that everyone learns best in different atmospheres. For some people, negative reinforcement is the best way for them to learn, others psoisitive reinforcment, others repetition. There are countless approaches to teaching and although Matt Hughes looks tough on people…he was respected by a lot of the people that were on the show and it’s hard to gather a true sense for his style from the editting on the TUF show. Shamrock was not respected and they probably tried hard to make him look good but he never took that show seriously.
I also agree that Matt is fairly one dimensional but he has other coaches in his camp to round out the students.
Don’t get me wrong…I’m not a Hughes fan at all but if I had an opportunity to learn from one of the most dominant welterweights in UFC history…I’d jump all over it. Serra looked like a great coach as well and personaly I’d probably learn best under his tutelage from what I saw of his style.
Buster Blath: U made some great points and I have to respect and agree with everything u said. us as fan’s of course would jump all over the opportunity to train under Hughes…now lets say that u just won the Ultimate fighter and u r looking for a camp to join….would Hughes camp be top 5 places you would try to join?
He wouldnt be in my top 10. But as a fan, if that gyp was in my area, I would probably join for sure. He is a legend and as much as I dont like him, I wont take that away from him. I respect him a lot because he is one of the few champions who truly cleared out their division (in the Prime of his title reign)…Not only did he clear out the UFC fighters but he holds a win over a top Pride welterweight, Mach sakurai from Japan….so Hughes clearly dominated from his division. I cant stand him, but I cant take anything away from what that man has accomplished.
by john on Jan 29, 2008 3:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
You can’t judge a guy by the way he was on TUF! Matt has a wealth of talent to pass on to the next generation. And do you thinki that pat teaches stricking, or any other coach for that matter. Even Randy has a stricking coach. And Matt has an excellent boxing coach on staff.
Matt you were and are one of the most dominent fighters of our generation!
Can’t wait to see you beat the hell out of Serra just like you did to HYPE BOY BJPenn.
by anthony cazares on Jan 29, 2008 3:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I wish there was something like that in Atlantic Canada…
If I had to pick coaches I would wanna learn under Karo Parisyan for sure for the technical side of it. A close second would be Henderson. Third would be Serra.
by Yikes on Jan 29, 2008 3:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Houston Alexander vs. James Irvin, Clay Guida vs. Samy Schiavo Added to UFC Fight Night 13 !!!!!!!!!!!!
by dpb on Jan 29, 2008 3:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Houston Alexander vs. James Irvin, Clay Guida vs. Samy Schiavo Added to UFC Fight Night 13 !!!!!!!!!!!!
Dude thats Sucks! So many great fights already on that card we wont even get to see half of them. Not to mention UFN events aren’t released on DVD… so all this means is there are gonna be about 5 UFC fights that will take place that I have to scramble to find a way and watch……How are we supposed to ever see these fight?
by john on Jan 29, 2008 3:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Interesting Read:
Tito vs. Frank Shamrock – according to Dana
http://sports.espn.go.com/extra/mma/…ory?id=2928261
Quote:
ESPN.com: Did you watch Showtime EliteXC’s Phil Baroni versus Frank Shamrock recently?
DW: I had dinner at the Palms, and I had them put it on in the room because I wanted to see Baroni knock his head off. It didn’t work out that way.
ESPN.com: What did you think of their skill levels?
DW: They both looked bad. Phil’s a good friend of mine, so it’s unfortunate. Frank Shamrock is not going to fight anybody near the top-10 level.
ESPN.com: You wouldn’t be tempted to bring back Frank for a big event?
DW: Who knows? But Frank is such a moron. He’s so hard to deal with. He really is a jackass. If I could get it done, maybe I would. Look at me and Tito. We don’t get along at all. You won’t ever find two people who work together talk more [expletive] about each other. Tito’s an idiot. He’s a complete, absolute moron. But we can do business.
ESPN.com: So why not kill two birds with one stone. How about Tito versus Frank Shamrock?
DW: Frank Shamrock would never fight Tito Ortiz. Tito would crush him. Frank’s not going to fight anybody serious. He’s going to very carefully handpick his opponents, and continue to play the smoke and mirrors game.
by john on Jan 29, 2008 3:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Matt isn’t coaching striking, he couldn’t. Matt Pena is their boxing coach, and he’s a good one too. I don’t why Matt has such akward strikes, but Pena has coached Lawler, Pulver, and other talented strikers out of Iowa. I think the extent of Matt’s coaching is gonna be jiu-jitsu and a voice of motivation.
by Fred on Jan 29, 2008 3:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
does anybody know if they televise UFC events in casinos in Vegas. i will be out in Vegas for UFC 82 and really want to see the Silva/Henderson fight. do they show it in the betting rooms?
by dpb on Jan 29, 2008 3:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Dude thats Sucks! So many great fights already on that card we wont even get to see half of them. Not to mention UFN events aren’t released on DVD… so all this means is there are gonna be about 5 UFC fights that will take place that I have to scramble to find a way and watch……How are we supposed to ever see these fight?
It’s the same with UFC 82…what’s the deal with the UFC saturating these cards? UFC 83(in Canada since the original UFC 83 was canceled) could use a few more fights…I’d like to see them push back a few of these fights that most fans want to see or just air more fights on the main card for us PPV buyers. I am being a little selfish in my request since I will be going to UFC 83 for my first live UFC. I’m not complaining about these 2 great cards but it’d be nice if they spread out these great mathups a little better so we can watch them live instead of after the fact.
by Buster Bluth on Jan 29, 2008 4:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Is that bald Dana walking down there with Hughes?
by River Horror on Jan 29, 2008 4:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It’s the same with UFC 82…what’s the deal with the UFC saturating these cards? UFC 83(in Canada since the original UFC 83 was canceled) could use a few more fights…I’d like to see them push back a few of these fights that most fans want to see or just air more fights on the main card for us PPV buyers. I am being a little selfish in my request since I will be going to UFC 83 for my first live UFC. I’m not complaining about these 2 great cards but it’d be nice if they spread out these great mathups a little better so we can watch them live instead of after the fact.
At least if they moved the fights to UFC 83 I would be able to buy the DVD and see the prelims but you cant buy UFN events, so how will I ever see the prelims?
by john on Jan 29, 2008 4:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Why did the 80 and 81 cards blow, and then UFC 82 and UFN 13 look they they will be the cards of the year? Plus I don’t think we will be seeing a better main event then Hendo/Silva in regards to championship fights.
by ViolentMike on Jan 29, 2008 4:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Mania: Can you give us a list of the Top gym locations or point to a direction as to where I can find out.
by DownUnder on Jan 29, 2008 4:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
What is Matt going to teach this kids? Why does he need such a big place to teach…BREATH BREATH BREATH, YOU DOING GOOD!
I think he is kind of a dope!
by mac daddy on Jan 29, 2008 5:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Man, I would kill to have a Gym like that near me. I work out at a REC center… Not cool, just a bunch of OLD people and high school kids that like to use the word pussy.
I know what you mean man. And it smells like sweaty ass and balls! And the people using the word pussy are usually the biggest ones!
by the_mexicutioner on Jan 29, 2008 7:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Personally If I was a young fighter looking for a camp, Hughes would not be one of my top 10 choices. Not to discredit him as a fighter or as a camp, but I think he is a limited mma fighter and a terrible approach towards coaching. Him and Shamrock have to be by far the 2 worst coaches on the TUF show. He was a great fighter, I just think there are way better options out there and I could personally probably never be able to deal with his cocky, passive/aggresive personality. I would get pissed, I would say something, and then he would pound my face out…No thanks, I would much prefer other camps.
Put it to you this way if I had to choose between Team Serra or Team Hughes….it wouldnt even be close…Serra all the way.
If I had to choose between team Hughes and Team Franklin….rich all the way!
I could see the local people going to train there. he is probably their local Hero and they have limited options in that6 area… As for me, no thanks…that is not my cup of tea.
Matt Hughes/Pat Mletich = Cobra Cai do jo – Karate kid!
Gee, glad you you didn’t “discredit” Hughes or anything…
Sounds like you could never be a member of a competitive team or sport. That would call for some toughness…the ability to be coached and not take everything personally. There are some fantastic coaches out there who use the same approach as Hughes…and funny thing, they find success. Look at the camp that Hughes helped shape – MFS – do you think they don’t walk around with the exact same attitude. Look at all the Champions that have come from that camp. This is mma remember.
And comparing Hughes to Shamrock – ridiculous. Hughes tried to coach his team…Shamrock couldn’t have given two shits about his team.
by WADZ on Jan 29, 2008 8:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
U r right! who wants to learn striking from Matt Hughes? He has never shown any kind of clinch game. Randy evolved and added things to his arsenal. Hughes is the same old Hughes…get u on your back G n P and submission wrestling….Very limited.
Hughes is pretty good at passing the guard and has a wealth of knowledge to offer when it comes to the ground game and being in a big fight. But he is far from the well rounded martial artist!
That’s why camps have different coaches for different disciplines.
I love those of you who said you would rather train with Serra’s camp because Hughes is so one-dimensional…even with that logic, I can’t see why anyone would want to join Serra’s camp? To be taught striking by Pete Sell? To be taught BJJ by that guy who quit TUF after having his ass handed to him?
Face it people, Hughes has been a winner and he’s probably the BEST fighter in his weight class in the history of the sport. He’s consistent…can anyone say the same thing for Serra?
by WADZ on Jan 29, 2008 8:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That’s why camps have different coaches for different disciplines.
I love those of you who said you would rather train with Serra’s camp because Hughes is so one-dimensional…even with that logic, I can’t see why anyone would want to join Serra’s camp? To be taught striking by Pete Sell? To be taught BJJ by that guy who quit TUF after having his ass handed to him?
Face it people, Hughes has been a winner and he’s probably the BEST fighter in his weight class in the history of the sport. He’s consistent…can anyone say the same thing for Serra?
No. I would want to train at Serra’s camp because he has arguably the best stand up coach in all of mma in Ray Longo…Matt is that you?
by john on Jan 29, 2008 9:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah man, if you gonna coach you need a certain degree of patience. sometimes encouraging words go further than a punishing beat down. If Hughes was just to teach wrestling and submission,cool. He aint got a clue when it comes to striking
Matt Pena who came from MFS is the striking instructor. I can’t beleive that everyone thinks that Matt will be coaching disabline and everyone that come in. Come on people, use your brains!
by Djs3467 on Jan 29, 2008 10:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
What is Matt going to teach this kids? Why does he need such a big place to teach…BREATH BREATH BREATH, YOU DOING GOOD!
I think he is kind of a dope!
wrong matt. you are thinking of Serra.. whom i agree is a worthless jackass
by kitsunex on Jan 29, 2008 10:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
What is Matt going to teach this kids? Why does he need such a big place to teach…BREATH BREATH BREATH, YOU DOING GOOD!
I think he is kind of a dope!
Who’s the dope, you’re the one who got your Matt’s confused.
by Pat on Jan 29, 2008 11:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That mat space looks huge.
Yeh and like the look of the cage wall that goes round it!!
Sick gym!
by ToeLock on Jan 30, 2008 8:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Matt Pena who came from MFS is the striking instructor. I can’t beleive that everyone thinks that Matt will be coaching disabline and everyone that come in. Come on people, use your brains!
Matt Pena? Ray Longo?…..npt even close!
by john on Jan 30, 2008 9:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I bet they’re gonna charge an arm and a leg for membership. And then Hughes will proceed to rip off your remaining two limbs in training. Awesomeness.
by Pat on Jan 30, 2008 2:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Personally If I was a young fighter looking for a camp, Hughes would not be one of my top 10 choices. Not to discredit him as a fighter or as a camp, but I think he is a limited mma fighter and a terrible approach towards coaching. Him and Shamrock have to be by far the 2 worst coaches on the TUF show. He was a great fighter, I just think there are way better options out there and I could personally probably never be able to deal with his cocky, passive/aggresive personality. I would get pissed, I would say something, and then he would pound my face out…No thanks, I would much prefer other camps.
Put it to you this way if I had to choose between Team Serra or Team Hughes….it wouldnt even be close…Serra all the way.
If I had to choose between team Hughes and Team Franklin….rich all the way!
I could see the local people going to train there. he is probably their local Hero and they have limited options in that6 area… As for me, no thanks…that is not my cup of tea.
Matt Hughes/Pat Mletich = Cobra Cai do jo – Karate kid!
WELL SAID JOHN… I respect Matt Hughes as a fighter, but dislike him as a coach… If he has no expectations of his students as a fighter, he ignores them, if he has high expectations then he expects nothing less than a win, and if there’s a loss, he looks down on them… just not a great motivater among other things.
by THORAZINE on Jan 30, 2008 4:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
looks like youve made alot ofriends these people are just jeolous they dont have nothing, matts been there an done it doing it tomorrow litchfield illinoise matts nieghbors to the west
by danny on Jan 1, 2009 2:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

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