UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes is “not yet awake” and remains hospitalised following an accident in which the truck he was driving was hit by an oncoming train on Friday.
Hughes’ sister, Beth Ulrici, issued a statement on social media updating the public of the former UFC welterweight champion’s condition amid multiple reports telling different stories of Hughes’ state of wellbeing after this incident.
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Monte Cox, Hughes’ long-time manager while he was still competing in the UFC, stated Hughes had “made rapid progress” in healing his injuries and how he was awake, responsive and squeezing family hands on Saturday per MMAjunkie. Meanwhile, UFC President Dana White told ESPN that Hughes had suffered significant head trauma.
Setting the record straight, Ulrici stated: “Our family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support. Please understand that there are many false reports out there by people who say they are close to the family. We will post another update here when we have more news.
“Matt is stable and has no broken bones or internal injuries. He has some minor lacerations and bruising and is currently being weaned from his ventilator. He is not yet awake and not responding as we would like to see but we see the fight in him. Matt’s strength and determination, along with God’s Mercy and Grace, will bring him through this. We ask that you all continue to pray.”
In response to Ulrici and the wishes of the Hughes family, Cox later said the media should only report updates on Hughes’ condition upon word coming directly from the family.
According to the report from Illinois State Police, [H/T the State Journal-Register], the passenger side of Hughes’s pickup truck was directly hit by a train while heading east on Beelers Trail in Montgomery County, southwest of Raymond, Illinois, at about 10:45am on Friday. The rail crossing is marked only with a sign and state officers with the Illinois State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit are now investigating the crash.
Hughes, 43, was then airlifted to HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois, later that afternoon. A statement from the hospital reads: “The HSHS St. John’s Regional Trauma Team stabilized him [Hughes] and continues to help him in his recovery. Hughes’ family asks that you respect their privacy during this difficult time. They ask that you keep Matt in your thoughts and prayers.”
Hughes hasn’t competed in MMA since 2011, suffering back-to-back knockout losses in his last two appearances in the Octagon to B.J. Penn and Josh Koscheck, prompting his retirement, though he did hint at making a comeback earlier in 2017.
Hughes is considered among the UFC’s greatest welterweight champions of all time, defending the belt a total of seven times—a record only beaten by Georges St-Pierre—and finished his distinguished MMA career with a record of 45-9.
Fightland and Vice Sports wishes Hughes a full and speedy recovery.
