Matt Hughes is a retired American mixed martial arts fighter and wrestler who was born on October 13, 1973, in Hillsboro, Illinois. He has a sister and a twin brother named Mark. Hughes and his twin brother played football and wrestling in high school. After graduating from high school, Hughes attended Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, Illinois. He eventually transferred to Lincoln College in Lincoln, Illinois and then again to Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois. Hughes was a two-time state wrestling champion in the 145lb Illinois High School Association in 1991 and 1992. During his final three years of high school, he racked up an impressive 131 wins and only 2 losses. On January 1, 1998, Hughes made his mixed martial arts debut at Joe Gaytia's JKD Challenge.
He won his first professional MMA fight with a KO just fifteen seconds into the first round by slamming his opponent which became his signature move. Hughes made his UFC debut in "UFC 22: There Can Be Only One Champion" on September 24, 1999. He went on to become a two-time UFC Welterweight Champion before announcing his retirement on January 24, 2013. Hughes married his wife Audra who he had two daughters with and they each have a son from a previous relationship.
| Birth Date: | 13 Oct, 1973 |
| Age: | 46 yrs |
| Occupations: | Mixed martial artist |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Hillsboro |
| Education: | Eastern Illinois University Lincoln College |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American mixed martial artist |
| Net Worth 2021: | 8 million |
