Is there a connection between UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes growing up on a farm and his success in MMA? Yeah man, You better believe it.
Thomas Edison, the prolific inventor of the light bulb and phonograph wrote that, "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."

Those who have grown up on a farm cherish the value system and tools gained from the hard work farm life demands. They have even been known to pit their daily existence and its intrinsic benefits against Americans who work in an office from 9 to 5.

When interviewing Matt Hughes, the UFC welterweight champion, you immediately sense his work ethic, discipline and focus. He admits it was his upbringing on his farm in Hillsboro, Illinois, that acted as the indoctrination that led to his success as an athlete.

"I do not know any other way to apply myself than full-force," he says. "Hard work is good. Life on a farm gives this to you."

Hughes, at times, is called a "country boy," but he does not mind the reference. He is confident that his humble upbringing has fared well for him.

"It has proved to be fundamental to my success as a professional athlete," he says.

When touching base with Hughes in February, I was amazed that his preparation for Royce Gracie had actually started in January. He was already following a diet and training several times a day. His strategy was clear and its execution had already begun.


The Competitive Edge and Royce

How Do You Beat Matt Hughes? Matt Hughes is scheduled to fight Royce Gracie. We posed the following question to Hughes. If you were Royce's coach, what would you tell him to do to be well prepared for Matt Hughes? "I would have him jumping guard," says Hughes. "I do not think he can take me down offensively; however, coming off a clinch, he could jump guard and take me down."

Q: Tell us about life growing up on a farm.
A: I started out on a grain and cattle farm. I had chores as a kid, such as feeding the animals, putting the crops in and taking them out. When I am home, I still put time in on the farm. I love the farm, and it has taught me a great work ethic. Farm life requires physical work for labor that I think is similar to fighting. It has provided me with so many skills and the ability to work hard as a fighter. You can not be lazy and succeed as a farmer. My parents farmed their whole life and raised a family of two boys and three girls. I still live on a farm, and my days after fighting will be spent working with my hands doing construction and farming.

Q: How did you get into the mixed martial arts game?
A: I started wrestling in high school with my brother Mark. We competed regularly and earned All-American honors. I had a strong high-school career [131 wins and 2 losses] and it earned me a scholarship to Eastern Illinois University [EIU]. I wrestled all through college until I was no longer eligible. When I couldn't wrestle anymore, I became the assistant wrestling coach at EIU. I loved coaching and training. I decided to learn a couple punches one day and it thankfully was right before I decided to fight in a show in Chicago, which was the first time I met Pat Miletich.

Q: To put it mildly, you've progressed quite nicely. Next up for you is Royce Gracie. What is your strategy for Royce?
A: I don't think he can keep up with my athleticism, and I've trained more than I've ever trained. I will push the fight, trying to wear him down, because I think he will be looking primarily for a submission.

Q: What were your feelings when you found out you were going to fight a legend?
A: The legend part means nothing to me. I don't fight for titles; I fight for competition. The legend is not affecting my training or my train of thought as I prepare for the fight. Not to mention, a legend is not factual; it is an opinion. However, I would never take Royce's contribution to BJJ away from him.

Q: You enjoy competition, regardless of the money?
A: I do not think I have met anyone more competitive than me.

Q: Are you preparing differently for the Royce fight?
A: Yes, it is different because I get 5 extra pounds at weigh-in. I am taking this fight just as serious as all my others, despite that it is a three-round match, and my last five fights were much longer.

Furthermore, this fight is personal for two reasons. One, I do not like the way the Gracies proclaim that their approach [submission only] to MMA is the best way. Two, I do not like it that he says he built the UFC. I think the sport has evolved so much since he competed in it. There are so many great fighters today that are proof of that.

Q: When you fight, do you need a personal angle?
A: Yes, I like when it is personal, because it gives me motivation. It helps me to train two to four times in a day and drive to Pat's [the Miletich Fighting Systems in Iowa] each week and leave my family.

Q: Is there anything in your training that you are doing differently for the Royce fight?
A: I am doing a lot more stand up. I am working on improving my kicks and punches.

Q: Why aren't you doing more jiu-jitsu?
A: If I can beat him on my feet, then there will be no takedown. Each fight should have its own strategy. In this fight, going straight to the ground is not a smart strategy. I feel that Royce's only way to win is on the ground, so I am going to use my takedown defense to keep him on his feet.

Q: Whom would you like to fight after Royce? B.J. Penn or Georges St. Pierre?
A: I tend not to look past my closest fight, but I would have more to gain by fighting B.J. again and a lot less to lose.

Q: What do you think of GSP?
A: He is pretty good.

The Athlete and His Coach

'This fight is personal' - Matt Hughes,
relaxing at Mandalay Bay's Events Center
before UFC 58, said his fight with Royce
Gracie is personal because he disputes
the BJJ's fighter notion that he built
the UFC.

Q: How far out before a fight do you normally structure your eating program?
A: Most of the time I structure my diet to reflect the weight I need to weigh in at, and I start a couple of months out. But I watched some of my tapes from three to four years ago, and I saw a big difference in the way I looked. I was in much better shape when I won my first title in 2001. I was bigger in the shoulders and chest and smaller in the waist. When I fought Sakurai in 2002, that was a very comfortable body for me to be in. This type of body makes me feel like I'm in better shape and mentally it makes me feel better. Plus, it gives me more useable muscle. That will be valuable in my match against Royce.

Q: Tell us more about Pat Miletich and how you became part of his team.
A: My first meeting with Pat was when he was the referee at my first MMA bout in Chicago, Illinois, at Madonna High School. I shot in against Craig "The Terminator" Quick. I picked him up, slammed him down, placed my right hand on his throat and punched him with my left. His face was bloody, but I followed with elbows. Through the puddle of blood, Quick looked up at Pat [who reffed the match] and belted, "Is this legal?" Pat told him, "Yes," and began laughing. I had just learned how to throw a punch and do a knee on the stomach right before this match.

Q: When did you begin training with Pat?
A: It was at my third match that Pat came up to me and said straight out, "Come train with me, and I can make you a champion." I have been with him ever since. Those were his exact words!

Q: What does Pat mean to you?
A: I grew up with a twin brother [Mark], and we have always competed against each other, pushed each other and supported each other. I would not trade having a twin brother for anything. Mark even fought for a while, did a UFC show and decided it wasn't for him. I lost that partner-in-training, so I don't spend time with him like I used to. Pat and I have a great time together, and he takes Mark's place when I'm up in Iowa. That's as simple as I can put it.

Q: Who else has been an influential training partner?
A: I have such a great gym. I could never name everyone. I think Jeremy Horn would be one of the best partners. He has taught me so much. I hated to see him leave the gym and start his own. It was the best thing for him, and I still treat him like the best friend he is.

Q: Do you think the way you train is the way all MMA fighters should train?
A: No. I train hard all the way up 'til I make weight. I am very lucky. I can fight a three-round fight any day of the week. I think most of it has to do with being mentally strong. I stay in shape all year. When I prepare for a fight, I take everything to the next level-mentally and physically.

The Recent Fights Following is a list of Matt Hughes' recent fights. In order, the list includes outcome, opponent, technique, event and date. Win, Joe Riggs, submission (kimura), UFC 56: Full Force, November 19, 2005 Win, Frank Trigg, submission (RNC), UFC 52: Couture vs. Liddell 2, April 16, 2005 Win, Georges St. Pierre, submission (armbar), UFC 50: The War of '04, October 22, 2004 Win, Renato Verissimo, unanimous decision, UFC 48: Payback, June 19, 2004 Loss, B.J. Penn, submission (RNC), UFC 46: Supernatural, January 31, 2004

Q: What is your career highlight?
A: When I won the world title the first time-that was great! It was in 2001 against Carlos Newton.

Q: The worst career moment?
A: When I lost two fights in a row. One was by submission against Dennis Hallman and the other by knockout against Jose Landi-Jons. I had a hard time after those losses, but I got my mental strength back and then fought in various fights like the Freestyle Combat Challenge. I did well and eventually got a UFC contract.

Q: Were you portrayed the way you wanted to be on the "The Ultimate Fighter 2"?
A: I do not know if I would trade anything on the show. I did and said everything on the show, but they air what they want. I'm a very intense person in the gym, so yes they showed my true colors there.

Q: How does your brother factor into your career now?
A: Mark does not train with me much anymore, but I love him in my corner. He gives me so much confidence.

The Author: Katalin Rodriguez-Ogren is the owner of POW! Mixed Martial Arts and Chicago Krav Maga. She has been a freelance writer for eight years and studied martial arts for 25. She also has 14 training DVDs and has written more than 100 articles. To contact her, write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Matt's Training Schedule

 

 

	6:00 a.m.	7:00 - 7:30 a.m.	8:30 - 9:30 a.m.	9:30 - 10: 00 a.m.	11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.	6:00 -7:30 p.m.	7:30 - 8:00 p.m.	8:00 p.m.
Monday-Pat Miletich Camp	30-45-minute run to jump start the metabolism	Breakfast: three scrambled eggs, 1/2 cup oatmeal, yogurt or fruit	Weight training: No more than 60 minutes, rotating body parts	Light pad work	Rest, errands, eat two to three small meals and supplements	First 30 minutes: warm up and stretch. Sparring with takedowns and full gear. No elbows. Assimilate throwing elbows, but no contact.	30 minutes of jump rope, abs and push-ups	Eat, rest, sleep
Tuesday-Pat Miletich Camp	30-45-minute run to jump start the metabolism	Breakfast: three scrambled eggs, 1/2 cup oatmeal, yogurt or fruit	Weight training: No more than 60 minutes, rotating body parts	Sprints	Rest, errands, eat two to three small meals and supplements	Grappling	Resistance band drills, 5-minute sprint, 5-minute walk	Eat, rest, sleep
Wednesday-Pat Miletich Camp	30-45-minute run to jump start the metabolism	Breakfast: three scrambled eggs, 1/2 cup oatmeal, yogurt or fruit	Weight training: No more than 60 minutes, rotating body parts	Grappling or light run	Rest, errands, eat two to three small meals and supplements	Full Sparring	30 minutes of jump rope, abs and push-ups	Eat, rest, sleep
Thursday-Pat Miletich Camp	30-45-minute run to jump start the metabolism	Breakfast: three scrambled eggs, 1/2 cup oatmeal, yogurt or fruit	Weight training: No more than 60 minutes, rotating body parts	Light pad work	Rest, errands, eat two to three small meals and supplements	Grappling	Resistance band drills, 5-minute sprint, 5-minute walk	Eat, rest, sleep
Friday- Hillsboro, Illinois	30-45-minute run to jump start the metabolism	Breakfast: three scrambled eggs, 1/2 cup oatmeal, yogurt or fruit	Drive home to Hillsboro, Illinois		Weight training: No more than 60 minutes, rotating body parts	Eat, rest, sleep	Eat, rest, sleep	Eat, rest, sleep
Saturday- Hillsboro, Illinois	30-45-minute run to jump start the metabolism	Breakfast: three scrambled eggs, 1/2 cup oatmeal, yogurt or fruit		Weight training: No more than 60 minutes, rotating body parts	Squeeze a light afternoon training of pad work, bags, abs	Eat, rest, sleep