Bullet = dodged.

Former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes was recently under investigation for an April 23 altercation that left a female patron with a broken nose, according to the bloodhounds at TMZ.

The country boy was apparently out for a night on the town when an argument broke out between he and a male bar patron that eventually turned into a mini-melee of which subsequently caused the woman's injuries.

Or so she said.

Now TMZ is reporting the subsequent investigation revealed insufficient evidence to charge Hughes for any crime.

TMZ has learned the champ will not be charged with a crime. ... TMZ spoke with the Illinois State's Attorney who told us there was not enough evidence to prove the fighter committed a battery when he allegedly shoved another man into a female bystander at the Trails End Bar and Grill in Taylor Springs, IL.

Sounds like Hughes can get back to preparing for his upcoming return to the Octagon against Diego Sanchez later this year.

After Thiago Alves booted him from the 170-pound title hunt back in 2008, Hughes (45-8) managed to string together three consecutive wins before B.J. Penn pasted him at the 21-second mark of their rubber match at the UFC 123: "Rampage vs. Machida" event last November.

Hughes, who turns 38 in October, has been enjoying some downtime after a busy 2010 fight campaign that saw the flinty farmboy compile a 2-1 record with wins over Renzo Gracie (UFC 112) and Ricardo Almeida (UFC 117) before the aforementioned drubbing in his Hawaiian trilogy.

The fight against Sanchez is rumored for UFC 135 on Sept. 24 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, however nothing is official at this time.

As always, keep it locked to MMAmania.com for any and all updates.