UFc 50 | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Matt Hughes’ longtime manager manager Mont Cox has a positive update on the UFC star’s condition after he was involved in an accident with an oncoming train in Illinois early yesterday.

Cox told MMA Fighting that he had been talking with Hughes’ brother Mark and doctors are “hopeful and optimistic” about his condition:

“He is awake, but eyes closed,” Cox said. “Can squeeze hands.”

It seems Hughes isn’t out of the woods just yet, but seemingly there is some light at the end of the tunnel for him, his family and friends, and his fans.

MMA was thrown into an upheaval when news came that Hughes was involved in the harrowing accident where his truck was hit by an oncoming train as it crossed the tracks at approximately 10:45 in the morning. A few specific details of the crash were released per The State Journal-Register, and the Illinois State Police further elaborated on the crash by describing that Hughes had approached a “railroad grade crossing marked with crossbucks” in the truck. The truck crossed the tracks “directly in front of a train and the train struck the passenger side of the truck.”

The 43-year-old former UFC welterweight champion was then airlifted to nearby HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois, and they issued an official press release Friday evening:

“Raymond, Illinois – Officials with the Illinois State Police (ISP) are currently investigating a serious injury crash on Beelers Trail in Montgomery County.

“At approximately 10:45 a.m. a pickup truck was traveling eastbound on Beelers Trail approaching a railroad grade crossing marked with crossbucks. The driver of the truck crossed the railroad tracks directly in front of a train and the train struck the passenger side of the truck.

“The driver of the truck, Matt Hughes, age 43 of Hillsboro, Illinois, was seriously injured. He was transported to a Springfield hospital via Arch Air Medical Services. Officers with the ISP Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit are currently investigating the crash.

“No further information is available.”

HSHS also released an update later on Twitter:

“SPRINGFIELD–Former UFC fighter and Hillsboro native Matt Hughes was airlifted to HSHS St. John’s Hospital in the noon hour on Friday, June 16, 2017. The HSHS St. John’s Regional Trauma Team stabilized him and continues to help him in his recovery.

“Hughes’ family asks that you respect their privacy during this difficult time. They ask that you keep Matt in your thoughts and prayers”

So while the MMA world awaits a hopeful recovery from the hard-charging 170-pound legend, the Illinois State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit are actively investigating the root cause of the crash and details surrounding it, but have released no further updates as of this morning.

The post Matt Hughes’ Manager Offers Positive Update On His Condition appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

The mixed martial arts (MMA) world was dealt an incredibly disheartening blow this afternoon when it was revealed that former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes was in serious condition after being airlifted to a nearby hospital following a collision with an oncoming train in his home state of Illinois.

Dana White gave some initial details of the accident, stating that Hughes family was en route to be with the 43-year-old MMA star, describing what seemed to be very daunting injuries.

Hughes’ official condition remains uncertain at this point, but some specifics of the accident were released by Marcia Martinez of The State Register-Journal. Apparently Hughes had driven his truck directly onto the tracks where a train was passing, resulting in a collision with the passenger side of his vehicle:

“Hughes, 43, was taken to a Springfield hospital by helicopter. His condition was not immediately available, but Illinois State Police described his injuries as serious.

Illinois State Police said Hughes was heading east on Beelers Trail about 10:45 a.m. and crossed the railroad tracks directly in front of the train. The train struck the passenger side of the truck.

The crossing was marked only with a sign, state police said.

Officers with the Illinois State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit are investigating the crash.”

Officers will investigate the unfortunate circumstance while Hughes’ family, friends, and his legions of fight fans pray for recovery from the decorated former champion, who is regarded as one of the best welterweights to ever compete in the sport of MMA.

Hughes dominated the UFC welterweight division for the better part of a decade when he exploded into the octagon by winning the belt with his now-historic KO win over Carlos Newton in 2001. Hughes went on to defend that championship five times before losing it to then-rising star BJ Penn, only to win it back when “The Prodigy” vacated it with his legendary armbar submission over a still-rising Georges St-Pierre at UFC 50 in 2004.

The Illinois wrestling powerhouse defended the belt two more times against Frank Trigg and Penn, setting up a rubber match in one of Hughes’ final UFC bouts. His rivalries with St-Pierre, Penn, and Trigg undoubtedly ranked as the most heated in the UFC at their time, and produced some truly historical moments in the semi-early days of the rapidly developing combat sport.

Overall, the dominant grappler boasted a 16-6 overall record in the UFC including T/KOs and five submissions in one of the greatest MMA careers we’ve ever witnessed.

Hughes retired in 2011 and took on a job with the UFC under previous promotional owners Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, and was recently talking about returning to fight if he somehow got the right match-up, even teasing a rematch with fellow legend Royce Gracie, whom he demolished when he was in his prime in the pioneer’s return to the octagon in 2006.

Chronicling Hughes’ amazing career as a whole truly makes the tragedy of his unfortunate scenario even more heart-wrenching, so myself and all of the LowKick team send nothing but the best out to Matt, his family, his friends, and all of his fans. We’ll keep you updated on any new developments surrounding the matter.

The post Details Emerge Surrounding Matt Hughes’ Tragic Accident appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.