Former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes can’t be held down. The 43-year-old Illinois native was involved in a near-fatal train collision with his vehicle on June 16. When medics arrived on the scene he was unconscious and remained minimally responsive for days afterward. But a fighter fights and that’s just what the champ has been doing. It was just a little over a week ago when one of Matt’s best friends posted a picture of him sitting up and looking alert, and now the same friend has posted the following update complete with video of Matt back on the mats.
“I leave for only five days and come back to his ass wanting (and able) to roll! Unbelievable! Spare me the grappling lessons. The only things that are important: firing muscles that haven’t been used in a long time…and having fun! So awesome to see that smile and hear that laugh again. If I posted a video from day one and compared it to today…and you still didn’t believe in miracles…well, there’s nothing that’s ever going to change your mind.”
It’s truly amazing to see Matt’s progress and our thoughts and prayers are with he and his family during this ordeal. Matt was scheduled to face Renzo Gracie at ADCC in September in a grappling super fight. That match of course is not going to happen now. But if this video update is any indication, the nine-time UFC champ is still looking to tangle with Renzo some time down the road.