UFC legend Matt Hughes has suffered another setback, losing a portion of his finger. This comes years after his devastating 2017 accident in which he sustained a brain hemorrhage and had to essentially relearn how to live. Hughes, a former UFC welterweight champion, had been making progress in his recovery from the serious brain injury. The details surrounding how he lost part of his finger have not been disclosed. Hughes' 2017 accident was a major turning point that required extensive rehabilitation.
Matt Hughes, one of the most decorated fighters in UFC history, has suffered yet another physical setback — losing part of a finger — years after a catastrophic accident nearly claimed his life in 2017.
Hughes, now 52, sustained a brain hemorrhage in that 2017 incident and was forced to undertake an extensive rehabilitation process, essentially relearning the basic functions of daily life. The former UFC welterweight champion had been making gradual progress in that recovery when this latest injury occurred. No details surrounding how he lost the portion of his finger have been disclosed.
The American fighter, who competed out of HIT Squad and stands five-foot-nine with a 73-inch reach, built one of the most dominant careers in welterweight history. He finished his fighting days with a record of 45 wins and 9 losses, establishing himself as a two-time UFC welterweight champion and a pioneer of the division. A switch-stance grappler, Hughes averaged nearly three takedowns per 15 minutes across his career, and his 53 percent striking accuracy underscored a fighter who was precise as well as physical.
Why it matters
- Hughes remains one of the UFC's all-time welterweight greats, and his post-career health has been closely followed by the MMA community
- The 2017 brain injury represented a severe and life-altering crisis; this new setback is another reminder of the ongoing challenges he faces in his recovery
- No official update on his current condition beyond the report of the finger injury has been made available
