Matt Hughes began his mixed martial arts career nearly 14 years ago when he defeated Erick Snyder via submission slam at JKD Challenge 2.
Hughes then went on to win his next three bouts before losing the first fight of his MMA career to Dennis Hallman by way of Guillotine Choke at 17 seconds in the first round.
After his loss, Hughes rattled off a career-high 18 straight victories.
Once again, Hughes met Hallman at UFC 129 where he again lost by submission in the first round of action.
Hughes then lost his next bout to Jose Landi-Jons before establishing himself as one of the best Welterweight fighters of all time.
He won seven consecutive fights before arriving to UFC 34 where he was declared the UFC Welterweight champion for the first time in his career.
Hughes went on to defend his title five consecutive times before losing to B.J. Penn.
At this point, Hughes was at the top of the Welterweight division and arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC.
As time progressed, Hughes grew older but still proved he was at the top of his game, defeating notable opponents such as George St-Pierre, Frank Trigg and Royce Gracie.
Hughes then revenged his loss to Penn, defeating him via technical knockout at UFC 63.
Hughes would go on to lose three of his next four fights as his career quickly took a turn for the worse.
Instead of hanging it up, Hughes continued in the sport he loves but lacked the skills he once had.
In a highly anticipated bout at UFC 123, Hughes was knocked out by Penn in just 21 seconds of the first round.
Then, Hughes was set to square off with Diego Sanchez at UFC 135 before Sanchez was pulled from the card due to injury.
His replacement, Josh Koscheck stepped in as the two squared in front of a soldout Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.
Koscheck knocked Hughes out at 4:59 of the first round, putting Hughes’ career in jeopardy.
Even prior to the fight, there was speculation that UFC 135 may have been Hughes’ last go-around.
Hughes even went as far as to sell his team and gym due to time conflicts with the amount of time he spent with his family.
Not only is Hughes a fighter, but a husband and a father to his three children.
At the age of 37, it is very unlikely Hughes will ever build up a chance for another Welterweight title shot.
Losing five of his last nine fights, it’s time Hughes hangs up the gloves for good.
Hughes, arguably the greatest Welterweight of all time has the most UFC victories in the history of the sport with 18.
While he is undoubtedly one of the greatest fighters to have ever entered the Octagon, Hughes’ career has caught up with him.
It is now time for Matt Hughes to end his historical run.
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