Matt Hughes Illness: Is Matt Hughes Sick? What Disease Does Matt Hughes Have?
by Sona
Updated May 13, 2023
Who is Matt Hughes?
Matt Hughes, also known as Matthew Allen Hughes, is a retired American mixed martial artist who specialized in wrestling. Born on October 13, 1973, in Hillsboro, Illinois, he is widely recognized as one of the greatest fighters in the history of MMA. Hughes achieved significant milestones throughout his career, including being a two-time UFC Welterweight Champion, an inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame, and a member of the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
During his time competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Hughes showcased his exceptional skills and dominance in the welterweight division. He notably accomplished two separate six-fight winning streaks, defeating all available opponents in his weight class and successfully defending his championship title a then-record seven times.
In May 2010, Hughes was honored as the eighth inductee into the prestigious UFC Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy as one of the sport's most respected and accomplished fighters.
Matt Hughes Illness
On June 16, 2017, former MMA fighter Matt Hughes suffered a serious head injury when his truck was hit by a train at a rail crossing near his home in Montgomery County, Illinois. He was hospitalized and remained unconscious and unresponsive for several days, but was found to have no broken bones or internal injuries.
His family worked with the Triumph Over Tragedy Foundation, which provides care for families with brain and spinal cord injuries, to determine his next steps for care. Hughes, who had been a board member for the Foundation for five years, returned to the hospital on September 23, 2017, to honor the staff who had taken care of him during his hospitalization.
Despite his initial progress, Hughes had lost his motor skills and ability to speak due to the severity of his injury. He had to undergo extensive physical and cognitive therapy to re-learn basic skills such as walking and talking. After a year had passed, Hughes had not shown significant improvement.
In September 2019, he filed a lawsuit against Norfolk Southern Railway and several of its employees for the train crash that caused his injury. However, he made a public appearance on January 14, 2018, as a guest of honor at UFC Fight Night in St. Louis.
Is Matt Hughes Sick?
Yes, former two-time UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes experienced a traumatic brain injury in 2017 following a collision between the truck he was traveling in and a train. The accident occurred on the Beelers Trail in Zanesville. Unfortunately, Hughes has not fully recovered from the incident.
The absence of railroad crossing signs in the area contributed to him not noticing the oncoming train. As a result of the accident, Hughes suffered a grade 3 brain bleed and was placed in a medically induced coma for 19 days. The road to recovery has been challenging for the UFC legend.
What Disease Does Matt Hughes Have?
Matt Hughes suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of a near-fatal train accident on June 16, 2017. Following the accident, he experienced a severe brain bleed known as Grade 3 diffuse axonal injury. This injury had a significant impact on his life, leading to a decline in his overall well-being.
Prior to the accident, Hughes was assisting a farmer by delivering diesel fuel to his farm and refilling the farmer's tractor. As a result of the traumatic brain injury, he was placed in a medically induced coma for 19 days.
Matt Hughes Condition
On June 16, 2017, Matt Hughes was driving along a rural road in Raymond, Illinois, when his truck was struck by a train at a railroad crossing. The impact occurred on the passenger side of his vehicle shortly before noon. Due to the severity of his injuries, Hughes was airlifted to a hospital in Springfield. Doctors discovered that he had a brain bleed and made the decision to induce a coma to aid in his recovery.
Hughes remained hospitalized for nearly a month as he gradually recuperated from his injuries. His journey toward recovery was arduous, and he had to relearn basic daily tasks such as brushing his teeth and walking. Despite facing a life-threatening situation, Hughes displayed immense determination and resilience in his rehabilitation process.
What Happened to Matt Hughes MMA?
In 2017, at the age of 43, Matt Hughes, the former two-time welterweight champion in MMA, was involved in a devastating accident. While driving on the Beelers Trail in Raymond, Illinois, Hughes' pick-up truck collided with a moving train. Tragically, the incident occurred as there were no railroad crossing signs to alert him of the approaching train.
The collision resulted in severe injuries to Hughes, particularly on the passenger side of his truck. He was swiftly transported to a hospital, where he remained in a medically-induced coma for a period of nineteen days as medical professionals attended to his life-threatening condition.
Since the accident, which has been four years ago, Matt Hughes has been steadily making progress in recovering his motor skills. He occasionally provides updates on his journey to his followers, showcasing his determination and improvement.
What Happened to Matt Hughes UFC?
Matt Hughes, despite his life-altering accident, made a remarkable recovery and was able to attend a UFC event in St. Louis in January 2018, demonstrating the progress he had made. In June 2020, he took to Instagram to mark the anniversary of his accident, sharing a collection of photos and videos.
These visuals showcased both his initial injured condition following the collision and the significant strides he had made in his recovery. Notably, he was captured running for the first time since the tragic incident, highlighting his inspiring journey of perseverance and resilience.
Matt Hughes Illness - FAQs
Matt Hughes, also known as Matthew Allen Hughes, is a retired American mixed martial artist who specialized in wrestling.
In 2017, at the age of 43, Matt Hughes, the former two-time welterweight champion in MMA, was involved in a devastating accident.
Yes, former two-time UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes experienced a traumatic brain injury in 2017 following a collision between the truck he was traveling in and a train.
Matt Hughes officially retired from professional MMA in 2013.
After retiring from MMA, Matt Hughes has been involved in various endeavors, including coaching and working as a UFC ambassador.