MATT HUGHES

ATTRIBUTES

OFFENSIVE SKILLS

DEFENSIVE SKILLS

ULTIMATE TECHNIQUES

BACK FLIP SINGLE LEG TAKEDOWN

Level 3 - Both Standing, Striking Range

Hughes doesn’t want to be exchanging on the feet against most opponents for very long. Bring his adversary to the ground with this high-level takedown.

SUPLEX TO SIDE CONTROL, TOP

Level 3 - Double Underhook, Offense

Hughes has great control in the clinch, where he can suplex and slam his opponents to the ground with overwhelming force. This lands him in Side Control, ready to work his strong ground game.

KIMURA FROM SIDE CONTROL

Level 3 - Side Control, Top

Hughes has great talent for locking in this painful sub from Side Control. Best of all, he can usually switch to an armbar if this kimura is about to fail, extending his chances of forcing the tap.

STRENGTHS

• Slams

• Wrestling

• Strength

A former long-running UFC lightweight champion, Matt Hughes has a history of dominating his opponents with his overwhelming strength, wrestling technique, and ground-and-pound.

Hughes comes to every fight in great shape, so be aggressive when fighting with him and pressure his opponents as you look for the takedown.

Use his powerful single leg to bring the fight to the floor, or work for a big suplex from the Double Underhook clinch—the latter lands him in Side Control, ready to work over his opponent with body shots to wear them down in preparation for a crushing kimura.

Look to switch to an armbar if the opponent is slipping free of his kimura from Side Control—this gives you more time to finish the sub.

When you’re not attacking with subs on the ground, simply control the top position and batter rivals with heavy shots from the top.

WEAKNESSES

• Speed

• Footwork

• Standing strikes
  

Though he remains a dangerous grappler, Hughes’s striking speed has slowed down just a little over the years, and it has become easier for his opponents to catch him during striking exchanges.

Overwhelm the former champ with superior speed and footwork on the feet, landing long blows from the outside and maintaining a respectable striking distance.

His standing strikes lack speed and power, so feel free to rattle off long combos of quick strikes without fear of retaliation.

Simply remain ready to stuff his powerful takedowns and clinch attempts at all times, and punish the former champ with counters each time you wind up in a sprawl.

Light Hughes up with fast combos on the feet and strive to avoid every facet of the grappling game throughout the fight.

Work at escaping from his clinches and getting back up from the bottom each time he manages to tie up or take you down.