Text size:

Q & A: UFC champ Matt Hughes

BY JOE FERNANDEZ | Newsday Staff Writer

May 26, 2006

A four-time All-American wrestler at Lincoln Community College and Eastern Illinois University, Matt Hughes' ability to take a fight down to the ground has elevated him to the greatest heights of the UFC.

The 32-year-old two-time and current welterweight champion will face 39-year-old UFC legend Royce Gracie in a three-round non-title bout this Saturday at UFC 60 in Los Angeles' Staples Center.

The fight, which will be live on pay-per view, is a true battle between the UFC's past and present, and possibly a look at its future.

We spoke with Hughes in the days leading up to the fight.

Joe Fernandez: Who approached you for this fight?
Matt Hughes: [UFC President] Dana [White] called me three days before he made the announcement public. He said: 'Hey I got a fight for you.' I said: 'Who is it?' He said: 'Royce Gracie' and I said 'whatever'." That was about the extent of the conversation."

JF: This is a three-round, non-title bout; what do you think will be the difference in this match?
MH: Anything can happen in a fight. A far superior fighter can lose to a novice fighter just because there's so many things going on. I think I have many advantages, most of which the sport has evolved so much since Royce has been in the fight game. I think there's a slight advantage because of my age, for how athletic I am. I'm more of a scrambler than he is. He's more of a slow, methodical fighter. My stand up is a lot better than his, my wrestling is a lot better than his and our submissions are actually pretty equal I think. So I think I have a lot of advantages, but Royce is very deadly on the ground.

JF: Are you working more on certain aspects of your game for this fight?
MH: I've been working my stand up more than anything.

JF: I read in a UFC interview that you wanted to keep the fight standing, and you felt that Royce isn't dangerous on his feet.
MH: I'm not saying he can't hit me or hurt me on his feet, but I think he's uncomfortable on his feet. I think I have more of an advantage on my feet, and as a smart fighter I'm going to keep him on his feet to possibly beat him there; and number two, I think that's going to work against his cardio. Him staying on his feet where he's not used to being.

JF: What are you guys making for this fight?
MH: Royce is making $1.3 million. I'm getting nowhere close to that.

JF: But you're the champ.
MH: I'm happy with what I'm getting. I'm not a greedy person at all. So, the UFC and I get along very well.

JF: What's your biggest fear with Royce? What are you trying to stay away from?
MH: Triangles actually, that's what I'm trying to stay away from. That seems to be my only weakness so to speak. Carlos got me in one. Dennis Hallman submitted me with an armbar from a triangle. That'll be the only thing I stay away from.

JF: Are you going to slam him like you did when Carlos Newton got you in a triangle?
MH: I have no idea, hopefully he doesn't make it that far.