Matt Hughes with Tony Zucca"He is working so hard and fights through the frustration. He is, as he's always been, an inspiration. I can't wait to hit the mats with him again ...and he told me today that he has 'one more round' left in him! Ha. (He laughed … but definitely wasn't joking!). Thank you for all of your prayers! Please keep them up as he still has a long road ahead of him. I am witnessing the power of them firsthand! So thankful."
The Instagram message was accompanied by a photo of Hughes presumably with Zucca. The post did not indicate where or when the photograph was taken.
On June 16, Hughes was driving his pickup on a country road in central Illinois, not far from his hometown of Hillsboro, when the truck was struck by a train on the passenger side. The crossing had only a warning sign; it did not have flashing lights or gates.
The critically-injured Hughes was airlifted to a trauma hospital in Springfield, the Illinois state capital. He reportedly suffered severe head injuries. However, in the weeks since the collision, there have been reports of steady progress in the 43-year-old Hughes' recovery.
Hughes held the UFC's welterweight championship at various points between 2001 and 2006. He is recognized as one of the greatest 170-pound fighters of all time, according to ESPN. Hughes launched his pro mixed martial arts career in 1998, and had not fought since 2011. He compiled a 45-9 record in MMA, and was welcomed into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2010.
Prior to entering MMA competition, Matt Hughes was an accomplished wrestler. He was a two-time Illinois Class A state champion at 145 pounds for Hillsboro High School in 1991 and 1992.
Hughes then started his college career at Southwestern Illinois College. After the school eliminated its wrestling program, Hughes transferred to Lincoln College (Illinois), where he placed third at the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) National Wrestling Championships. After graduating from Lincoln, Hughes continued wrestling at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, where he was a two-time NCAA Division I All-American, placing eighth in 1996 and fifth in 1997 at 158 pounds.
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