Matt Hughes Exclusive Interview

What are the flashiest martial arts moves you've ever seen performed? Sato from Japan once performed a flying arm bar. It was a pretty amazing thing to see him pull off. You have to remember, it's a lot like playing pool, setting up the moves. I like to consider my fights as an actual chess match. This is where we’ll end up and I’ll submit him here. So, if I get a flashy move in, great. If not, I'll be just fine.

What's your weekly workout schedule now? Well, I wake up and go on a 45-60 minute run. Then I'll eat breakfast. Around 9 A.M. I go to the gym. It'll be one hour and I'll do training, pads, running, sprint work, grappling. That's from 9-10. From 10-11:30, I do my other forms of training. At 11:30, I go to lunch. I like to take the entire afternoon off. 5:30 I hit the pads, 6:30 I've got class routine but only from Monday to Thursday. It's about one hour long. Then, to end the day, I do heavy cardio from 7:30 – 8:15.

Wow, that sounds like a lot of cardio. Yeah, well I'm in it to win it. I feel that if I never get tired I will always have a chance to win any fight I'm in.

What do you think of all this new attention UFC's getting over the past two years? Some people would argue it has overtaken boxing. I'm of the school that feels it has definitely overtaken boxing, and even the WWE. Spike plays a HUGE role in where they are at today. And the reality show, well it helps with the drama. The females love it because of the drama factor.

What was the first thing you did when you won the UFC Welterweight Championship? I jumped on the right post and pointed at my hometown. I had to praise and give love back to my hometown. I wanted to let them know it was really appreciated.

Did that get you some points in the bedroom with your lady? No comment.

How does someone become a "Matt Hughes"? What are the key ingredients to becoming... you? Well, I wrestled my whole life. I feel like wrestlers have an advantage in this sport. A little boxing, learning submissions and plenty of heart. If they are going to be me they gotta be a good wrestler. I'm blessed to have my coach Pat, my good manager Monty Cox and my family. My twin brother helps me a lot.

Right, your twin brother. Does he ever get stopped on the street because people think he's you? (chuckles) Oh yeah, all the time. And depending on the mood he's in, he may play along for a few laughs or he'll just brush it off and correct the person. 

Any plans to go on to movies? Yeah, if the right scenario came along. Sure, why not?

Excellent. Well, you're in luck because I've got a few scenes from movies to pitch you, but I want to hear what move you'd do in each scenario. (laughs) Okay, go ahead.

#1) You're with your wife at an outdoor mall when a pack of ten ninjas swoop down, grab her and threaten you with ninja swords. Your character is unarmed. First thing on my mind is the safety of my wife, violence would not be what I would resort to there. If you took my wife out of the situation, I’m going down throwing punches. Otherwise, I’ll try to be diplomatic.

#2) You're a farmer in rural Illinois, moving bales of hay with a pitchfork. Suddenly, a UFO crash lands onto your farm. Five menacing aliens emerge from the ship. (laughs) We’re probably going to get it on. (laughs) This an interesting scenario. Well, whenever the odds are against you things are not in your favor. The pitch fork helps, and I’m a tough customer, so I would definitely use it as a weapon.

Do you find yourself practicing wielding your pitchfork as a weapon back on the farm in Illinois? (laughs) What? (laughs harder) That is funny, and no. I don't find myself practicing with a pitchfork. 

#3) Al Pacino is performing a monologue right in your face. He hasn't brushed his teeth and he keeps spitting on you. I’m going to try and play my part, and not lose my cool. Afterwards I would definitely call him out on it. I'd say, "Al, you’re killing me. Mind taking it down a notch and get a piece of gum?" If couldn’t stop from smiling while playing the part, I’ll just tell everyone about it.

Tell us why you're just a regular guy, like the rest of us? I put my pants on one leg at a time, just like everyone else. I am a common person. I grew up like everyone else did, only thing that separates me and the other 33 year olds is that I’m on TV. I don’t think I’m more special than anyone else. I look forward to the day that I can just be Matt Hughes the guy who farms for a living and is nobody special.

And tell us why you're not? The fact that I'm on TV. That's about it really.

Your next fight is against Serra, what do you think will be your greatest asset in coming out with a victory? My experience, my strength and my knowledge. My techniques are better than his.

We feel like you will definitely kick his ass. Yeah, shouldn't be a problem.

Do you wish you were fighting GSP? No, that's alright. He's next anyway.

Any words of wisdom for aspiring MMA fighters? Learn everything, learn your striking, wrestling, become very well-rounded. You have to take one fight at a time. Don’t take fights you can’t win. Start with the amateurs, and work your way up.

Okay, just so you know, me and my friends love your guerilla tactics. Especially when you pick the other dude up out of nowhere and just slam him down. (laughs) Yeah? Thanks.

Do you have any last words for our readers? www.matt-hughes.com – if you have questions about me or what I do, you can reach me there.