Just KC
11-19-2006, 07:11 AM
There have been rumblings from the Miletich camp for several months that UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes (Pictures) was considering winding down his extraordinary career.
Hughes recently confirmed to Sherdog.com that he indeed plans on fighting out his current UFC contract, which will have one bout left following his title defense against Georges St. Pierre (Pictures) on Nov. 18, before retiring from active participation in the sport of mixed martial arts.
The question was first broached when Hughes was asked where he saw himself a year from now. “Hopefully retired with my family back home,” the UFC welterweight champion responded.
“In a perfect world” Hughes declared that he would “fight a couple more times, retire, [and] go back home.”
Hughes cited the strain of being away from family, including a newborn daughter, as motivation for hanging up his four-ounce gloves.
The two time UFC champ, who stands at 40-4-0, made it clear he has come to a point where the benefits of fighting are far outweighed by the negatives that come along with it.
Hughes, 33, did leave open the possibility, should he get past a very tough St. Pierre, of moving up in weight to face UFC 185-pound champion Anderson Silva (Anderson Silva' class='LinkSilver'>Pictur es) in hopes of becoming the first fighter to concurrently hold UFC titles in multiple weight classes.
Hughes recently confirmed to Sherdog.com that he indeed plans on fighting out his current UFC contract, which will have one bout left following his title defense against Georges St. Pierre (Pictures) on Nov. 18, before retiring from active participation in the sport of mixed martial arts.
The question was first broached when Hughes was asked where he saw himself a year from now. “Hopefully retired with my family back home,” the UFC welterweight champion responded.
“In a perfect world” Hughes declared that he would “fight a couple more times, retire, [and] go back home.”
Hughes cited the strain of being away from family, including a newborn daughter, as motivation for hanging up his four-ounce gloves.
The two time UFC champ, who stands at 40-4-0, made it clear he has come to a point where the benefits of fighting are far outweighed by the negatives that come along with it.
Hughes, 33, did leave open the possibility, should he get past a very tough St. Pierre, of moving up in weight to face UFC 185-pound champion Anderson Silva (Anderson Silva' class='LinkSilver'>Pictur es) in hopes of becoming the first fighter to concurrently hold UFC titles in multiple weight classes.