10 Precise Moments UFC Careers Ended

6. Matt Hughes Goes To Sleep

Matt Hughes Ufc
Duane Burleson/AP/Press Association Images

One of the most important fighters in UFC history, Matt Hughes fought a whopping 54 times throughout his 13-year career, but time had caught up to him by 2011.

Five years had passed since Hughes' last Welterweight Title reign. He'd been finished four times since then, despite defeating Matt Serra, Renzo Gracie, and Ricardo Almeida between 2009 and 2010. Still, even after being put to sleep by a single BJ Penn punch at UFC 123, Hughes wasn't quite ready to hang it up.

He was booked to face Josh Koscheck - a gritty, grinding grappler not exactly associated with highlight reel knockouts - at UFC 135. Sadly, Matt's decline had never been so apparent. He spent five minutes playing moving target for his opponent, but while Hughes landed several pitter-patter blows, he eventually fell to Koscheck's powerful slugs.

Knocked out at 4:59 in round one, Hughes insisted that he wasn't going to retire afterwards, but it would be the last time he ever fought in the UFC. After a few months of reflection, Matt announced his decision to transition away from the Octagon in January 2013.

In this post: 
Matt Hughes
 
First Posted On: 
Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.