Long-time member of Miletich Fighting Systems (MFS), Matt Hughes, is leaving the prolific fight camp on good terms to open his own gym in Granite City, Ill., according to FightNetwork.com.
The “Hughes Intensive Training (H.I.T.) Squad” will be located less than a one-hour drive from Hughes’ Hillsboro farm — the trip to MFS in Iowa takes considerably longer.
Here’s a snip from MFS Founder, Pat Miletich:
“Matt’s been with me for almost a decade. We’ve had a lot of great years together. This is a natural progression for guys to eventually go out on their own…. I’m sure he’s had a lot of offers to do something like this and he got one close to home. I know it’s been tough on him driving up to Iowa all these years, spending the week up here and going home on weekends year after year.”
Hughes is one of two coaches on the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 6, which debuts on the Spike television network at 11 p.m. on September 19. He will challenge UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Serra for the 170-pound title at UFC 79 on December 29.
For TUF 6 Hughes enlisted the services of Robbie Lawler, Matt Pena and Rob Fiore to be his assistants. Now it appears the experience together will last longer than the six weeks of taping the reality series — the four will all be a part of the H.I.T. Squad.
According to the report, Hughes will begin to train at the new facility on the first of October and then open the “H.I.T. Squad” to the general public at the very beginning of 2008.
Veterans Jeremy Horn and Lawler, as well as Corey Hill and Jacob Hey, are the fighters who will help Hughes prepare for “The Terror.”
55 Comments »
cool cool. He’ll start a gym full of egotistical wrestlers. Thats just what we need. 20 mini Matt Hughes fighting in the UFC. lol. Whatchya gonna do ….. when Hughamania runs wild on yooouuuuuuuuuu?
Mania, I really love your site. I subscribe to the RSS and read the posts regularly.
This one has a small typo: “apart” = “separate from”; “a part of” = “a component of”.
Thank you for the constant flow of UFC/MMA news, opinions, and miscellany. It is appreciated.
[quote comment=”140317″]Mania, I really love your site. I subscribe to the RSS and read the posts regularly.
This one has a small typo: “apart” = “separate from”; “a part of” = “a component of”.
Thank you for the constant flow of UFC/MMA news, opinions, and miscellany. It is appreciated.[/quote]
Thanks.
Hey Mania: Sorry to get off topic, In a British MMA magazine i saw an ad about the release of a 2 disc dvd of Ultimate Japan and Ultimate Brazil in England.
Y dont these DVD’s get released in the USA instead of England ?
R they ever gonna start releasing the early years of the UFC on DVD as well as the pride events from 2006 and 2007 on dvd? These events are all released in England and Japan, do u have any idea as to y they haven’t been released here yet?
Corey Hill is helping Hughes to train for Serra. Fabulous. I can see that. Hughes can practice on Corey because he’s so similar in build and fighting style to Serra. And Corey’s and Hey’s overwhelming experience far excede Pat Miletich’s.
Is Pat bringing in someone to replace Pena?
Exceed, rather.
No fedor news? He had to of signed.
Rofl, nothing but Hughes haters.
Really makes sense for him to do this, he has made it clear that he is winding down and wants to spend more time with his family. Guy could make sick $$ ringing for fighters, and training. Good move on his part.
[quote comment=”140332″]No fedor news? He had to of signed.[/quote]
Yeh, he’s signed. I’l bet anything he will b introduced in england next saturday
I hope they Bring Fedor out, introduce him to the world as the UFC newest signee, and I hope that Dana announces what Fedor’s 1st fight will be (when, where, against who?)
Id like to c him and Randy battle it out right away, if not let him fight Arlovski. Arlovski isnt scheduled to fight anyone, and he is on the last fight of his contract and wants to be payed the big bucks in his next contract. OK lets c what he’s got, put him in the cage wit Fedor. A fight against Fedor will force Arlovski to actually start fighting again, if he doesnt he gets mauled. Simple as that. He wants the big bucks, he can earn it wit a good performance against “the Russian experiment” (I dont expect AA to win, but lets c how he competes.
I want Captain America vs. The Russian Experiment, if not I’ll
take:
The Russian vs. the Belarussian
[quote comment=”140336″][quote comment=”140332″]No fedor news? He had to of signed.[/quote]
Yeh, he’s signed. I’l bet anything he will b introduced in england next saturday[/quote]
He has not signed. Not yet, anyway.
How’d you like to train under Matt Hughes? Quite a drastic change in character from Miletich to Hughes.
P.S. John, I agree. I’d love to see the “Pre-Zuffa” years on DVD!
yeah hughes isn’t gonna fight for too much longer, and he obviously likes being a coach or a trainer, and i think he’s pretty good at it, on tuf 2 he reminded me of pretty much every coach i’ve ever had…
[quote comment=”140340″][quote comment=”140336″][quote comment=”140332″]No fedor news? He had to of signed.[/quote]
Yeh, he’s signed. I’l bet anything he will b introduced in england next saturday[/quote]
He has not signed. Not yet, anyway.[/quote]
Are they still talking?
[quote comment=”140336″][quote comment=”140332″]No fedor news? He had to of signed.[/quote]
Yeh, he’s signed. I’l bet anything he will b introduced in england next saturday[/quote]
In the UCF 75 press conference yesterday, Dana said “we have everyone from pride now.” He was then asked about Dennis Kang and he said “Kang isn’t a top pride guy.” So you can infer that Dana was saying he has everyone under contract from pride who he wants to sign and since he wants to sign fedor …..
I scrolled all the way to the bottom, alas, no Fedor news…
Well, if I ever get in shape, I now know where I can start training should I ever find the time or inclination for such a thing. This camp is like ten minutes away from me.
Hughes is doing what most in his situation would do. His career as a fighter is in it’s final years and he’s planning for his future. Solid move on his part. I like the fact that he left things positively with his old camp - that shows he’s a class act.
To all the Hughes haters. Doesn’t it suck to hate the future 170ib champ? Other than GSP, and mabye Diego (assuming he’s fully recovered from his injuries/staph infection), this guy will not be beaten. Is it jealousy or what? The only fighters who truly criticize this guy are Matt Serra and KOS. Two very unpopular guys in their own right. Take a close look at Hughes’ career - he’s been great for the sport of mma. Hughes is a legend, plain and simple.
I think its cool he’s starting his own Camp. And they said they might be like brother Camps where the fighters could go to MFS for training and also train at H.I.T. so i thought that was cool.
Good for Matt. I think he’s a punk but fighting under Matt Hughes is a blessing for any fighter
This isn’t related but I just wanted to say I can’t believe ufcmania just stopped making picks and wagers at mmaplayground. Yeah, he had made some bad calls but it’s the fight camp he started. Come on. Boooo.
[quote comment=”140332″]No fedor news? He had to of signed.[/quote]
anybody else hear the rumor that fedor was close to signing for 4 fights at 2 million per fight with 1 fight in russia. on the other hand,reportedly, there are also sources inside the ufc who said the deal is not close
I think all this Fedor stuff is wishful thinking, we all want it so bad that if no one says an absolute “no it was not a success” then we hope its a yes. Fingers crossed he has but if no announcement is made in London (my home town) next week then I doubt we will see Fedor before the end of the year and most likely not until at least May 2008, because Randy will defend the belt in Dec/Jan and since Fedor will want a direct title shot if the next HW title defense does not include him that means at least a 5 month wait for him to get his chance.
Yeah Whats up with Fedor
Fedor isn’t a sure bet even if he does sign!! Cro Cop?? Nog?? I’m starting to think that Pride may have been overrated (as many suggest the UFC was). I’m surprised I’m saying this, but I’m not even close 100% sure he could take Randy. I was about four months ago, but not anymore
I hope the UFC signs Robbie Lawler again. He is a great fighter. He is a much more disciplined fighter NOW than he was before. I hope he gets another shot.
Hughes was a dick at the old gym. He’s still a dick at the new gym.
nuff said.
Ya Hughes is a dick, however he has competed well for many years and to dominate for so long, like he did, and not be arrogent would be unheard of. People give Hughes a bad rep….most of it started when Pierre took the title from him and then everyone turned their back (maybe a little earlier) ……I remember when Hughes was loved by many…..those days have come and gone…
I’m from TO and obviously a GSP fan, but that doesn’t mean that I hate Hughes. He has acted and said a few things that have been off-color but I then remind myself that if I were in his position I might be worse.
Respect to all the fighters!
[quote comment=”140458″]I hope the UFC signs Robbie Lawler again. He is a great fighter. He is a much more disciplined fighter NOW than he was before. I hope he gets another shot.[/quote]
Lawler Diaz two
[quote comment=”140452″]Fedor isn’t a sure bet even if he does sign!! Cro Cop?? Nog?? I’m starting to think that Pride may have been overrated (as many suggest the UFC was). I’m surprised I’m saying this, but I’m not even close 100% sure he could take Randy. I was about four months ago, but not anymore[/quote]
Cro cop got caught, i honestly think nog has always been overrated, not fedor though, Fedor has some impressive wins. Randy is the man I think Randy could take him i don’t think that makes fedor overrated though it just means Randys the best heavy weight in the world
[quote comment=”140458″]I hope the UFC signs Robbie Lawler again. He is a great fighter. He is a much more disciplined fighter NOW than he was before. I hope he gets another shot.[/quote]
He just signed a 4 fight deal with Elire-XC, won’t see him in the UFC anytime soon. I agree though, I would like to see Lawler back in the UFC.
H.I.T SQUAD WTF?
Sorry guys this sounds like the begining of a bad boy band!
Hahahahahahahahaha!
[quote post=”3212″]Fedor isn’t a sure bet even if he does sign!! Cro Cop?? Nog?? I’m starting to think that Pride may have been overrated (as many suggest the UFC was). I’m surprised I’m saying this, but I’m not even close 100% sure he could take Randy. I was about four months ago, but not anymore [/quote]
All the people who said Pride fighters would own the UFC fighters were most definitely overrating Pride. I’d say they are all top notch fighters with the advantage going to the ones accustomed to fighting in the cage. Randy spent his whole career in the cage. Has Fedor even fought in a cage? Is Fedor used to throwing and not recieving elbows? Advantage ,Randy.
Good for him. So many other big names are getting in on these types of things and so should Hughes. Training with guys like Corey Hill though, hmmm, may be enough for Serra, but he better bring in the big guns if he rematches GSP. Dude can even learn French if he wants to hear what his corner is saying but it still won’t matter.
[quote comment=”140616″][quote comment=”140452″]Fedor isn’t a sure bet even if he does sign!! Cro Cop?? Nog?? I’m starting to think that Pride may have been overrated (as many suggest the UFC was). I’m surprised I’m saying this, but I’m not even close 100% sure he could take Randy. I was about four months ago, but not anymore[/quote]
Cro cop got caught, i honestly think nog has always been overrated, not fedor though, Fedor has some impressive wins. Randy is the man I think Randy could take him i don’t think that makes fedor overrated though it just means Randys the best heavy weight in the world[/quote]
Randy Couture Sucks he is 16 and 8. Fedor is 26 and 1, and that loss was just because of a cut above the eye. Fedore is really undefeated. Randy can’t even beat Liddel and we all know Liddell is over rated. Randy Couture Sucks you are all idiots.
Pride is not that good where do you think Anderson Silva and Rampage are from! It won’t be long until Pride has the Heavyweight belt- the next fight old fart steroid boy Randy Couture fights will be his last he will end his career at 16 and 9 not even a 500 percentage- hardly a hall of famer record.
I can see Hughes putting together a team for the IFL it seems to be the grazing fields for has beens. I’m sure Matt is a great coach and instills great values and shit but i hope somebody there is teaching boxing besides Hughes.
I think it’s cool that Hughes is starting his own camp. I like the name H.I.T. that’s bad ass.
[quote comment=”140757″]Pride is not that good where do you think Anderson Silva and Rampage are from! It won’t be long until Pride has the Heavyweight belt- the next fight old fart steroid boy Randy Couture fights will be his last he will end his career at 16 and 9 not even a 500 percentage- hardly a hall of famer record.[/quote]
a 16-9 record is still over 600% average. basic math my idiotic friend
[quote comment=”140874″][quote comment=”140757″]Pride is not that good where do you think Anderson Silva and Rampage are from! It won’t be long until Pride has the Heavyweight belt- the next fight old fart steroid boy Randy Couture fights will be his last he will end his career at 16 and 9 not even a 500 percentage- hardly a hall of famer record.[/quote]
a 16-9 record is still over 600% average. basic math my idiotic friend[/quote]
Both of you seem to be a little out with your maths where the hell are you getting 500% and 600% from
He would have a 64% win record (based on your predictions Matt).
I have often looked at Randys record and wondered how he is a hall of famer. However true fighting has never been about numbers that is for mathmaticians. It is about heart and Randy has gunned for the biggest guys in MMA, and has taken them down. To a true fighter defeating 5 people you should of lost to is a greater achievement than defeating 50 opponents in which you winning was never in doubt.
Thats why the numbers alone will never be able to tell Randys story.
Randy Couture 16-8 (yet he is a legend in MMA)
Tim Sylvia 23-3 (no one believes he is close to a legend)
Numbers only tell part of the story
Randy = Legend
Does anyone know if Robbie Lawler left Miletich Fighting Systems too? I know he fights Ninja Rua on September 15.
[quote comment=”140901″][quote comment=”140874″][quote comment=”140757″]Pride is not that good where do you think Anderson Silva and Rampage are from! It won’t be long until Pride has the Heavyweight belt- the next fight old fart steroid boy Randy Couture fights will be his last he will end his career at 16 and 9 not even a 500 percentage- hardly a hall of famer record.[/quote]
a 16-9 record is still over 600% average. basic math my idiotic friend[/quote]
Both of you seem to be a little out with your maths where the hell are you getting 500% and 600% from
He would have a 64% win record (based on your predictions Matt).
I have often looked at Randys record and wondered how he is a hall of famer. However true fighting has never been about numbers that is for mathmaticians. It is about heart and Randy has gunned for the biggest guys in MMA, and has taken them down. To a true fighter defeating 5 people you should of lost to is a greater achievement than defeating 50 opponents in which you winning was never in doubt.
Thats why the numbers alone will never be able to tell Randys story.
Randy Couture 16-8 (yet he is a legend in MMA)
Tim Sylvia 23-3 (no one believes he is close to a legend)
Numbers only tell part of the story
Randy = Legend[/quote]
all right smart guy its 64.4% if you really want to do math. which i know. this can be converted to a .644 winning percentage which in the end still comes out to over a .600 thats what i meant
[quote comment=”140852″]I can see Hughes putting together a team for the IFL it seems to be the grazing fields for has beens. I’m sure Matt is a great coach and instills great values and shit but i hope somebody there is teaching boxing besides Hughes.[/quote]
Hughes isnt a has been i dunno where you are getting that. Matt Pena is gonna be the boxing coach.
[quote comment=”140757″]Pride is not that good where do you think Anderson Silva and Rampage are from! It won’t be long until Pride has the Heavyweight belt- the next fight old fart steroid boy Randy Couture fights will be his last he will end his career at 16 and 9 not even a 500 percentage- hardly a hall of famer record.[/quote]
Who are you, and where did you learn anything about this sport. You have obviously been a fan for maybe 2 weeks and listened to 3 opinions. I love when people like you give the real fans a good laugh. Go back an do your homework. I am not at all dogging Pride, but for you to dismiss Randy as a legend is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.
As for Hughes opening a gym? OUTSTANDING!!!!! We will see champions come from there. And he is not done fighting. We have plenty more to see from him. He will roll through Serra, and then we get to see some good fights. Althought the Serra fight will be cool. I can’t stand him. Such a punk
Hughes and gsp are my favorite fighters, its too bad they’ll be fighting again, serra is going to lose and never come close to a title shot again. Good move on Hughes part, I know it really bothered him being away from his family and all so having a gym to train at which is so close will be great for him. I could see his gym being very successful as randy’s gym’s have done very well his should too. As for serra the more I see him talk the less I like him, “he has little man complex” - Hughes, pretty funny and I would agree. Even though I want to see Hughes beat the crap out of the mouthy serra I really want to see GSP put him in the ER, highly doubt it will ever happen though, too bad because GSP needs to get some payback on that lucky midget.
HAHAHAHA, what in the WORLD can Cory Hill do to help Hughes prepare for Serra. If your fighting a short, stout, strong, BJJ fighter; why in the world would you train with a super tall, lanky, completely unskilled, newbie to the sport?
Not a good decision by Hughes.
Good timing at least. he can stock his stable with the fighters he cherrypicks while a coach on TUF, a la Tito recruiting half the team over to Punishment. For an unlikeable jock, I’m loathe to give him credit, but timing is everything and this is probably a good move.
ShoGun was poisoned before the fight.
Actually Matt Huges, not only plans on opening a >>in his home town of ILL, But througout the WESTCOAST. One of the gyms are almost done being built on the West Side of PHOENIX>
WEST COAST H.I.T Squad GYMS
[quote comment=”140864″]I think it’s cool that Hughes is starting his own camp. I like the name H.I.T. that’s bad ass.[/quote]
Wait till Matt Hughes has a HIT SQUAD in every State Throughout the WESTCOAST. THE HIT SQUAD PHX is almost done as well.
[quote comment=”140309″]cool cool. He’ll start a gym full of egotistical wrestlers. Thats just what we need. 20 mini Matt Hughes fighting in the UFC. lol. Whatchya gonna do ….. when Hughamania runs wild on yooouuuuuuuuuu?[/quote]
Can’t wait till Hughes shuts that smart-mouth of Serra up. I’ve never seen a more undeserving, arrogant, pompous, winy, high-school behaving, child then Matt Serra. I could take Serra.
[quote comment=”140309″]cool cool. He’ll start a gym full of egotistical wrestlers. Thats just what we need. 20 mini Matt Hughes fighting in the UFC. lol. Whatchya gonna do ….. when Hughamania runs wild on yooouuuuuuuuuu?[/quote]
Yea keep talking bud hughes is one of the best fighters ever yes he was beat by GSP. GSP is a stud also, when you are as good of a fighter as hughes you can be egotistic and cocky. The way i see it he is not cocky or egotistical he is just confident and that is what it takes to be a good competitor.
Why doesnt everyone get off of Hughes. I have not been watching UFC as long as some I am sure. But when someone is good they are good. And Hughes is good.So he has lost a couple of matches, but how many has he won.There are alot of good fighters that show just as much confedence as he does.I know that I could’nt compete with any of them. COULD YOU ???
I`m from Granite city and I have a 5 year backround in kickboxing and a 5 year backround in wrestling and all i can say is im excited to see him open a gym here, i`m ready to train hard.