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Beyond Fighting: Parent First, Fighter Second
A Glimpse Into the Life of UFC Fighter Matt Hughes |
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Written by Doug Jeffrey
Photos by Jaimee Itagaki |
 On one side of the dusty road, there were thousands of cornstalks reaching 8 feet into the pristine Illinois sky. On the other, there were thousands more, all reaching in unison for the warmth of the sun.
Although there wasn't a farm in sight, the GPS said we had arrived at Matt Hughes' farm. Figuring we were close, we drove up and down road after dirt road, searching for a farm, looking for a clue.
After burning another 20 minutes off the clock, we finally turned around, figuring we'd go back to the main road and start over, a main road that was, for all intents and purposes, quite deserted.
Such is life in Hillsboro. Contrasted with Southern California and its freeways, fast food and strip malls, life in Hillsboro is, obviously, different and, obviously, much slower.
But don't let that fool you. These are some of the hardest-working people on the face of the earth, and this is where we ultimately found former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes on his farm. Following is a glimpse into his world.
You're a former UFC welterweight champion, but your life extends far beyond the gym and cage.
Matt Hughes: I want to show [do] the right thing [for my children]. For example, I don't like wearing my seat belt. But as a parent, I do it every time so my son sees me wearing that seat belt [so I set a good example]. I'm a doer.
Your job, as coach on "The Ultimate Fighter" and as a fighter, takes some time. Do the kids ever join you?
Joey is coming out the end of this month [during his second tenure as coach on the reality show]. He likes [Las] Vegas. [UFC president] Dana [White] has basically an amusement park in his back yard, so Joey will come out and have a good time.
He also comes to practice with me now and then. On Season Two [of "The Ultimate Fighter"], he came with me for a little while. He'll have a good time.
Does he want to follow in your footsteps?
He's not a grappler yet. He is not real aggressive. We play around, but when it comes time for me to say, 'Never put your hand here' [providing instruction for grappling and/or fighting] he is ready to go play with his Star Wars. He is not ready for coaching. He just wants to play.
In life, what direction would you like him to take?
I'd like to see him become a doctor or lawyer. I do not know if I want to be in the stands or his corner and see my son get hit. There are better ways to make money out there. I will guide my boy in the direction and avenues I think he needs to go down, but if he does not want to do them, it's his choice.
I [do] want him to wrestle in high school, and I will guide him that way. If he does not want to, however, I won't force him to do anything. I won't be that type of parent.
Is it more important to be a good parent or a champion?
Those two elements go hand in hand ... being a champion and being a parent. Which is more important? Being a parent, and I'm a firm believer in that.
I've always said I would never let being a champion change who I am. On my gravestone, what would be more important ... having it say UFC world champ or good parent? I don't think anyone would say it's not being a good parent. The No. 1 item on the priority list is being a good parent, which equates to being a good person.
You had a stranglehold on that belt for a long time. What is life like without it?
Boy, I don't know. It's hard to say. Maybe I'm used to not having it now. But the belt means a lot of security, and it always has. Maybe I am getting mature enough that I don't need all that security.
Does that mean I don't want the belt? No. I'm a huge competitor and that is still what keeps me in the UFC and what keeps me fighting.
Do I like to lose? No, I hate it. But you know what? I'm going to get to fight for that belt [again] and God on my side, I'll get it back.
At the post-fight press conferences, Dana always talks very highly of you. What is your relationship with him like?
Dana takes us by our word. There have been times when I have not even been under contract to the UFC, but Dana knows I'm loyal. Nor is he worried because he knows I'm not going to do anything [go to another organization]. He knows Chuck [Liddell] and I are loyal.
I'm a UFC boy. My last fight will be in the UFC, and I'll never fight for another organization. Number one, the UFC has been so good to me and number two is because Dana and I are such close friends.
"The Ultimate Fighter" Spin
Yes, I will watch [my segment of] "The Ultimate Fighter." They can portray people the way they want, but they can't twist things around. Everything is what I said or what I did, but it will be interesting how they put their spin on things.
I could have done six negative things and [opposing coach Matt] Serra could have done 40 negative things, but the show could have been all of Serra's positive things and all my negative things. It will be interesting how they edit it.
Note: This interview was conducted before Hughes' second stint as coach on "The Ultimate Fighter."
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