Matt Hughes retires and takes position with UFC

UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes officially announced his retirement from MMA on Thursday and has accepted a job with the UFC.

Mark J. Rebilas/US PRESSWIRE
Mark J. Rebilas/US PRESSWIRE

Hughes (45-9) made the announcement at the beginning of today’s UFC on FOX 6 Pre-Fight Press Conference and has accepted a nearly created role in the UFC front office, which is the Vice President of Athlete Development and Government Relations.

The former UFC welterweight champion will oversee the newly created Conduct Code, which the UFC announced today.

“Matt is one of those guys that was there from the early days and helped grow MMA to the modern, professional sport it is today,” UFC president Dana White said. “He has been in the sport since the late 1990s and really seen it all. Matt is a two-time world champion in the UFC, he’s coached The Ultimate Fighter reality series twice, has fought all over the world and has been in every situation a fighter can be in. Matt’s expertise makes him highly qualified for this.”

With his experiences in the sport of mixed martial arts, Hughes is looking forward to sharing his knowledge and experiences with the current fighters in the UFC in his new role with the company.

“This is something that the UFC is implementing because they really care about their athletes,” Hughes said.  “I’ve experienced ups and downs in my career and found that the UFC has supported me every step of the way. I understand the pressures and responsibilities that go along with being a professional athlete. I look forward to using my knowledge and experience to provide insight and perspective on behalf of athletes and the organization.”