Is Matt Hughes done?
by MMAmania.com on Jun 5, 2008 2:37 PM EDT
72 comments
Thiago Alves -- his opponent this weekend at UFC 85: "Bedlam" -- seems to think so in a recent UFC.com interview, surmising that the former champion has failed to keep pace with the rapidly evolving sport and its young talent.
Here's the snip:
"No disrespect to Matt Hughes, but he hasn’t been a champion in a long time, and the sport keeps changing. You have better athletes now who are stronger and more complete fighters. Hughes was stronger a long time ago, when people didn’t train properly. I’m not saying he’s not strong, but I’ve been in there with a lot of strong fighters and I’m in great shape and have the best conditioning in the sport. I’ll be fine. He’s gonna try to come and take me down and I’m gonna have a little surprise for him."
Time in this instance is perhaps a relative term -- Hughes had the 170-pound belt as recently as late 2006 and managed to defend it four times up until his second fight (loss) with Georges St. Pierre.
However, the once seemingly invincible Hughes has looked mortal his last few appearances, losing two of his last three fights -- albeit both to St. Pierre. And lest we not forget that the fight prior to the second fight with "Rush" that Hughes endured a two-round licking from BJ Penn before surging back for the win.
It's a valid concern -- all fighters and athletes at some point in their careers begin to fade. Some sooner than others. However, Hughes reinforced once again in an interview with InsideFighting.com that his time has not past and that he plans to continue for several more fights.
Here's the snip:
"I’ve still got many fights left in me. I’ve got two more fights on my contract, counting the Thiago fight. So by no means am I going to retire before my contract is over. And I’m probably not going to retire afterwards either. I feel I’ve got three or four fights left in me. I’m very healthy right now, no aches and pains, no nagging injuries - I feel great. I’ve got many more fights under my belt.... I’m 34 years old and I’m definitely not done yet. Randy (Couture) is 43. Where if I was 43 I’d be looking at retirement, he’s still not even looking at retirement. I think he’s looking at maybe a couple fights down the road. So I’m still very healthy. Right now I actually feel great."
Blind confidence from a proud former champion who can't admit it's time to hang 'em up or words of wisdom from a fierce competitor who knows he can still kick ass?
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Bold statement from Alves.
He may be whistling in the dark.
Losing to a world class guy like GSP is not a sign that Hughes is finished.
Hughes will TKO this talented kid in Rd 2.
by OJR on Jun 5, 2008 2:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bold? More like Stupid… I liked this kid better when we wasn’t speaking english. Did everyone forget how Fitch ran over alves and that wasn’t too long ago. Karo looked horrible and it took a lucky knee to stop it, I’d say Alves will be GnP’d for 3 painful rounds.
by Arnold on Jun 5, 2008 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
“I liked this kid better when we wasn’t speaking english” = CLASSIC!
by ViolentMike on Jun 5, 2008 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know if it will go a whole 3 rounds, but I definately see some fierce GnP in Alves’ immediate future.
What does Alves’ statement say about him when he looses to a fighter supposedly past his prime?
Lets also not forget that Hughes destroyed the legendary Royce Gracie! He’s got a lot of punishment left in him to deal out.
by 2BAD4U on Jun 5, 2008 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow, even if I agree that Hughes might be slipping a little, Thiago shouldn’t be thinking that way. He should be training for Matt Hughes at the top of his game.
I’m not sure Thiago is ready mentally after that statement.
by TonyDrip on Jun 5, 2008 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I see what your saying here, but let me add that in two weeks, Randy will be 45.
by hbdale309 on Jun 5, 2008 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its going to be Hughes by complete ground n pound flurry. The minute it hits the floor and Hughes is on top its over. I know that and so does everyone else. Thiago knows that too! Watch the Lytle fight and how easy he controlled and took down lytle at will the entire fight. The same thing is going to happen on Saturday.
by darkhorse76 on Jun 5, 2008 2:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Alves has more ways to win. He will be in top shape. Hughes isn’t exactly the hardest training fighter. Fitch fight was a while ago. People do get better at defending takedowns, so who’s to say that He wont be able to stop Hughes, long enough to knock him out…which isnt long! Hughes cant stand with him for more then 3 minutes.
WAR ALVES!!!
by john on Jun 5, 2008 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
John, I’m looking at putting a little cash on Alves this time around (learned my lesson after the Karo fight). He’s at around plus-160. I also like Dooms Day at plus-300. Marcus Davis is sitting at minus-110, down from minus-105 a couple days ago, but he still looks like the best bet on the board, at least among the main card fights. What are your thoughts?
by PW on Jun 5, 2008 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love betting the underdogs, so I will lay a small amount on Alves and Leites. I would bet bigger on Alves but Hughes is kind of a mystery at this point in his career. I love Bisping, but at +300, betting Doomsday will be tough to pass up on.
You want to win money, Just bet big on Marcus Davis….I really cant see anyway that he can loose this fight.
by John on Jun 5, 2008 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Alves has fewer ways to win. His only chance is to win by strikes on the feet. Hughes can win by GNP, sub, or decision.
I think you’re underestimating how hard Hughes trains.
BTW, the Fitch fight wasn’t that long ago, and Fitch beat the living crap out of Thiago -from pillar to post. If we want evidence of Thiago’s TD defense, Karo took Alves down directly to side control within the first 30 seconds of their fight. And that style of TD is Hughes specialty. Thiago would have to train a long time to be good enough to repeatedly stop Hughes TDs, or Hughes’ GNP.
Thiago is incorrectly believing that just because GSP can do certain things to Hughes that he can as well.
by Hardcharger on Jun 5, 2008 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Has anybody watched Hughes’ fights besides myself? Every fight he is in he is struggling. Not that he isn’t a great fight, he’s number 2 WW in the world. Think of all of his fights even his fight to take the belt, he got chocked out standing and then dropped Newton on his head and knocked him out. He chocked Frank out standing up and also submitted him after getting a shot to the groin and taking some serious punishment. His first fight with GSP was even crazy, I’m not sure how it would have been had GSP not tapped out so early. Hughes may not have the skills that these round artist have but he’s got more drive than anybody else in the game. You can’t tell me you don’t respect the guy. He tried standing up with GSP twice. He’ll do it a third time if a fourth fight is warranted. Alves is looking past Hughes, this isn’t going past the first round… Alves is getting embarrassed. Armbar GSP style Alves taps near the end of the first or second round
by Smokes on Jun 5, 2008 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hughes is done…Alves by flying knee KO in round 1
by UFCPreview.com on Jun 5, 2008 2:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i still think matt hughes will suprise alot of people! yes he has lost 2 of his last 3 but they were both to gsp. gsp is without a doubt a great champion! just because he lost to him does not make him a bad fighter or over the hill it just means that he lost to the champ and a better fighter.
by Winner by Strikes! on Jun 5, 2008 2:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s not a suprise if he beats Thiago Alves, it’s more like a reassurement. It’s kinda like how Franklin is in middleweight. You beat eeveryone else apart from the champion you’ve lost to twice. This fight is not gonna be close: 3 rounds of solid ground and pound from Hughes.
by Anonymousf*ck on Jun 5, 2008 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hughe’s strength has always gotten him through it. He’s not gonna knock anyone out, but by no means is he a slouch! I’m not a big fan, but you can’t deny his raw abilities!
by kevin on Jun 5, 2008 2:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thats straight. Just look at all of his past fights, he got chocked out by Newton but bombed him down to win the title. Getting a groin shot and beating down Trigg afterward. Trying to stand with GSP twice. The guy has more heart and drive than any other fighter in WW division. Penn and GSP are just naturally talented, add Hughes drive and Penn wouldn’t of ever gassed in a fight and GSP would never have lost to Serra
by Smokes on Jun 5, 2008 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed. I would like Alves to win but I don’t think he will be able to withstand every takedown attempt. Once it’s on the ground, the GnP will lead to a 2nd RD submission for Hughes.
by DJ on Jun 6, 2008 6:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think hughes wins this fight as long as he doesn’t get caught by a big knee before he takes the fight to the ground.
by brac on Jun 5, 2008 3:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
cant wait for this fight! 3 more days! this fight has so many implecations(spelling?) its really got me pumped. swick/davis and werdum/vera also are very meaningful fights with alot on the line for all the fighters. i have done a complete 180 on this event and wouldn’t miss it for the world!
by b.w. on Jun 5, 2008 3:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed…..should be great.
The only fight i’m not looking forward to seeing is the Hardonk fight. Hope they show the Taylor/Liaudin fight as taylor is always in really good fights.
by MoonUK on Jun 5, 2008 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hughes is the Lyoto Machida of three/four years ago before people knew how to beat BORING one-dimensional wrestlers. NOW they know – just like soon people will know how to easily defeat Machida’s BORING one-dimensional style in a year or so to where Lyoto will never win another fight again either.
by EdenMachine on Jun 5, 2008 3:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What? Machida one dimensional??? I agree that Machida is not a stand out exciting fighter, but to say he is one dimensional is crazy! I’m a karate guy so I have to admire what he does.
What do you think the tactic to beat Machida is? I think the only people that have a chance against him are the real top end stikers (Tito, wandy, page)
by MoonUK on Jun 5, 2008 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did I say TITO!!!!!!!
ment to say Chuck!
Wow I gotta go to bed.
by MoonUK on Jun 5, 2008 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
WOW MoonUK. Good thing you caught that one!
And Eden, how do you consider Machida 1-dimensional???
He is obviously a phenominal striker seeing that no one has landed more than 8 punches on him in any one fight. One of the top 2 LHW coutnerpunchers (Liddell also). His strikes are unorthodox and he really knows how to mix up his punches and kicks.
He is a black belt at BJJ.
His Karate background gives him something that no one else in MMA has.
His wrestling sure is decent now. If it wasn’t then you’d think that the larger wrestler, Tito Ortiz would have been able to take him down at will. But actually, it was the exact opposite. Tito could not get Machida down, and in every clinch Machida either took Tito down or shoved him away with force.
That doesn’t sound too 1-dimensional to me…
by ViolentMike on Jun 5, 2008 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lol… It was up 5mins before I noticed my mistake, suprised I wasn’t flame 20 times.
Machida is the real deal.
by MoonUK on Jun 5, 2008 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Please share the secret behind beating Machida’s ‘one-dimensional style’, because I’m pretty sure there are plenty of guys at 205 that would love to know…
by Matt on Jun 5, 2008 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if hughes can’t take is opponent down he is done, I think this is the case
by shamo84 on Jun 5, 2008 3:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I wouldnt say he is done, but in my opinion there are a few guys in the division that could beat him: Koscheck, Fitch, Alves, and GSP in the UFC, and I think Condit could beat him if they moved him up.
by the_mexicutioner on Jun 5, 2008 3:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Condit… really… Condit? He might mean-mug him to death
by Arnold on Jun 5, 2008 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dude, Condit is the most underated WW in the game right now. I bet he’d submit Hughes. The guy backs that ‘mean-mug’ up every time.
by the_mexicutioner on Jun 5, 2008 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Condit is the real deal. Carlos has excellent muay thai and BJJ and he is very long so that works to his advantage in both of those disciplines. However, his wrestling is his weakness. If Condit can get his wrestling abilities on par with the rest of his game, he will be a serious threat to ANYONE in the WW division including the beloved GSP.
However, Condit should stay and defend the WEC WW belt like 3 more times before moving to the UFC.
by ViolentMike on Jun 5, 2008 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with you Mike up until the defending the belt 3 more times. He’s pretty much cleaned up the division already. Why not move him up now? He doesnt have anything left to prove in the WEC.
by the_mexicutioner on Jun 5, 2008 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He just recently signed a contract extension…
by ViolentMike on Jun 5, 2008 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He would tear throught he bottom and mid tier WW fighters in the UFC. I only see the Top 5 of the division giving him problems at this point. 2 more years of training and he may be able to right into the UFC and challenge GSP for the belt immediatly.
by ViolentMike on Jun 5, 2008 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don’t get me wrong, I like Condit, but I think he’s a small 170. After he’s done with his next 3 fights maybe he’ll move up (yes up) to the UFC. Although after the last great televised WEC fight, he might get more attention and cash staying in the WEC.
by Arnold on Jun 5, 2008 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Condit wouldn’t be able to keep it on the feet. And I can’t remember anyone subbing Hughes from their back…
by Matt on Jun 5, 2008 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Hughes should beat down Alves and Serra then take Condit. I still think that GSP and Penn are the only guys who can take Hughes. Alves is going to underestimate him, Serra is a joke but he did show up game to fight GSP the first time. Condit would be an awesome fight but the challenge would be to much, I do think that Condit would stand the most chance along with Kos. Those are the only other two WW that could give Hughes a lot of trouble.
by Smokes on Jun 5, 2008 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Told you guys, he will fight BJ for a rubber match, its his biggest pay day left and after alves and serra id bet anything its bj. There is no reason for them not to fight again, especially now knowing that retirement is the farthest thing from Hughes’s mind. AND IM STOKED!!! BJ BJ BJ!!!
by ( (Adam G) ) on Jun 5, 2008 3:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hughes wouldn’t even be a challenge for BJ!
I would rather see BJ fight GSP, then Anderson, then Rampage then Nog! 8) GRAND SLAM!!
by MoonUK on Jun 5, 2008 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol BJ would get own by gsp, anderson, rampage for sure. and with a little less confidence, even Big Nog. wait till BJ gets put on his back and takes a beating, something sherk should of done, he will gas and thats all there is too it
by Irish Hand Grenade on Jun 5, 2008 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If BJ does it right and puts on muscle instead of fat to move up and fight GSP then I don’t see him gasing.
When he was fighting at 170 he was overweight and not into training for fights.
He’s already said that he’s looking for 6-9 months off to put the weight on (muscle) to fight GSP again.
by MoonUK on Jun 5, 2008 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I remember some Penn fan said Penn would take on GSP to take the title. I could buy that although GSP has a good chance of winning as well. But if Penn won then a rubber match with Penn would almost be certain if Hughes beats on Alves and Serra. It’d be sick. I don’t think Hughes will win but you can never count him out, if he did win he could go out on top. It’d the best possibility for ma boy Hughes
by Smokes on Jun 5, 2008 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree, not a challenge, but to avenge a loss is all, and to return the favor for that crucifix!! Hughes, ya dead!
by ( (Adam G) ) on Jun 6, 2008 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Matt hughes is still one of the best mma fighters in the world no doubt.
by chipdog on Jun 5, 2008 3:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I hate Hughes and am a big fan Alves, with that said I predict Hughes via TKO in the 2nd (I hope I’m wrong). Unles Hughes is fighting BJ or GSP I will pick him against any WW right now.
by Haze on Jun 5, 2008 3:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thiago is delusional.
At what point during the year of 2006 did fighters suddenly become stronger than Hughes?
Who are all the really strong fighters Thiago has been in the cage with? Fitch? And Fitch beat Thiago like he stole something, with Thiago unable to stop takedowns or stop his face from getting smashed by elbows from Fitch.
And just LOL at Thiago saying his conditioning is the best in the WW division.
Thiago is making a lot of statements based off the succes 1 guy had against Hughes, and that is GSP.
Unfortunately for Thiago, he’s not even in GSP’s league. He may find out that he’s not in Hughes’ league either.
by Hardcharger on Jun 5, 2008 3:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He only feels like he has the best conditioning because he just fought Karo “Lovehandles” Parysian.
by ViolentMike on Jun 5, 2008 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Alves probably will win if this fight go stand up the whole time but i think Hughes will win either subission or ground n pound. I like to see Hughes finish him off with a crucifix like he did on BJ. Alves is not even good as GSP or even BJ Penn, his ground skills sucks he needs to improve his BJJ or wrestling skills. Matt is a strong hybrid ground fighter with wrestling and BJJ together which Alves lacks.
by Ro on Jun 5, 2008 3:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think Hughes has BJJ training. Some boxing, and a lot of wrestling.
by Smokes on Jun 5, 2008 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hughes wins in a boring, unimpressive, lay & pray decision.
by mmamaniaReader on Jun 5, 2008 4:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
25 out of Hughes last 30 fights have not gone to decision.
by Biken on Jun 5, 2008 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this fight will either end TKO or submission from hughes. some of you may count him out but he isnt the one with all the pressure of winning either. alves loses and he loses a title shot. Alves is very slick but like someone said up top, he got worked by fitch and fitch is a wrestler. so we will see what happens
by Irish Hand Grenade on Jun 5, 2008 5:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Matt may ot be the fighter he was. But he is dangerous enough that if you take him lightly and aren’t mentially prepaired, he will rip your head off and shove it up your a**.
Hughes win in the 2nd.
by Tiger Mike on Jun 5, 2008 5:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
is Hughes done??
This is the perfect fight to tell us!
24 year old! 5 fight win streak! Tko of Karo
Lets get in on!
by braveheart on Jun 5, 2008 5:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hughes is no where done. He trains very hard and is very Mentally trained and ready to take on Alves. Hands down he will come out on top!!! GO MATT GO!!!!
by SLT on Jun 5, 2008 6:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Alves will run thru Hughes with such authority that Matt won’t ever want to climb back in a cage.
KO in 2
by darlyn on Jun 5, 2008 7:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No offense to Alves but that sort of logic losing two fights to the champ would have indicated that Randy Couture was done when he couldn’t get past Chuck Liddel. Sometimes you just get stuck behind a guy who has your number, I think that’s the case with GSP and Hughes. Hughes still is a great wrestler and I think Alves should be very wary of taking that lightly especially given how he was manhandled by another wrestler in Fitch.
by Chris on Jun 5, 2008 8:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I hope Hughes isnt finished we will see after this fight. I think it would be a great exit for a great champion to go out with wins in his last two fights.
Alves then Serra.
by tobias808 on Jun 5, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Obviously Alves knows something I mean why would he take this fight with Hughes if he doesn’t think he can win it he was guaranteed a shot right after Fitch anyway. Not saying he’s gonna win for sure but I predict he will win. Alves is a great striker and Hughes has terrible yes I said terrible standup, and vice versa for Alves and Hughes on the gorund but Alves ground game isn’t terrible he is a BJJ Black belt gotta give him some credit. I predict if Alves can keep it standing Hughes will not make it outta the 1st round.
by albert on Jun 5, 2008 10:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Obviously Alves knows something I mean why would he take this fight with Hughes if he doesn’t think he can win it he was guaranteed a shot right after Fitch anyway. Not saying he’s gonna win for sure but I predict he will win. Alves is a great striker and Hughes has terrible yes I said terrible standup, and vice versa for Alves and Hughes on the gorund but Alves ground game isn’t terrible he is a BJJ Black belt gotta give him some credit. I predict if Alves can keep it standing Hughes will not make it outta the 1st round.
by albert on Jun 5, 2008 10:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Your thinking too much into this. If Alves thinks he can beat GSP he should also think he can beat Hughes. Hughes is a future hall of famer, and the best proven WW in the world. He’s only got a few fights left although I’m thinking it’ll be like 6 more including the Alves fight. But if Alves can win he will get huge recognition and he’d go into a title shot looking like a champ. If Alves beats Hughes he deserves a title shot against GSP, anyone who can beat Hughes deserves a title shot against GSP… so far that only leaves Penn. I don’t think anyone is going to get to add their name to the list of four guys Hughes has ever lost to, especially not Alves
by Smokes on Jun 5, 2008 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
IF Hughes wins his next 2 fights he’s next in line for another crack at the chip.
oh yeah, Pitbull via tko
by Little Focker on Jun 5, 2008 10:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Look guys Until now I was undecided who I wanted to win.
Now its Hughs. But watch out cause I am bad luck and Alves will do something to screw me over.
by Yikes on Jun 6, 2008 6:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I am going for Alves in this fight, not because he lost to GSP twice or because BJ nearly kicked his ass again, but because of that shite performance he put on against Chris Lytle. I am judging him by that performance and that was pretty sad. It is a good thing Dana made sure that referee kept that fight on the ground all the time even though Hughes was hardly able to do anything, otherwise Lytle would have probably knocked him out. They really should have been stood back up a hell of a lot more in that match, but with a GSP fight hanging in the air, that is probably why it wasn’t. I think that was the first and last time I saw that ref, good thing too.
by Ade on Jun 6, 2008 7:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i would be shocked if Matt Hughes is stronger than Thiago Alves if u look at the guys Alves is wayy more athletic but we dont know thats just the way i think..
by RoB on Jun 6, 2008 8:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
“What does Alves’ statement say about him when he looses to a fighter supposedly past his prime?”
True!
by james on Jun 6, 2008 9:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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