Net Worth Ranker
What Is Matt Hughes’ Net Worth?
As of 2024, Matt Hughes, the celebrated retired mixed martial artist, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $4 million. This figure reflects his successful career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), endorsements, and ventures outside the octagon.
Early Life and Transition to MMA
Matt Hughes was born on October 13, 1973, in Hillsboro, Illinois. During his time at Hillsboro High School, Hughes distinguished himself as a two-time IHSA Class A state wrestling champion in the 145 lb category, securing consecutive titles in 1991 and 1992. This wrestling background was pivotal in his transition to mixed martial arts. He further honed his wrestling skills at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, Illinois, before transferring to Lincoln College, and ultimately to Eastern Illinois University (EIU) in Charleston. At EIU, he achieved the distinction of being a two-time NCAA Division I All-American in wrestling, setting the stage for his professional fighting career. While specific financial details of his early life are not publicly available, his wrestling achievements provided a strong foundation for his future earnings in MMA.
UFC Career: Championships, Earnings, and Hall of Fame
Hughes’ MMA career began on New Year’s Day in 1998 at Joe Goytia’s JKD Challenge. He quickly made a name for himself, winning his debut fight in just 15 seconds via KO. In September 1999, Hughes debuted in the UFC at UFC 22, where he defeated Valeri Ignatov by unanimous decision. His early UFC earnings would have started at a relatively modest level, likely a few thousand dollars per fight, plus any win bonuses. In 2001, he won his first UFC World Welterweight title by defeating Carlos Newton at UFC 34. Securing the title marked a significant turning point in his career, substantially increasing his earning potential through higher fight purses and potential pay-per-view bonuses. In UFC 36, Hughes successfully defended his title against Hayato Sakurai via TKO. He continued his title defenses with another victory over Carlos Newton at UFC 38. At UFC 40, Hughes defeated Gil Castillo, further solidifying his reign as champion. A notable victory came against the then-undefeated Sean Sherk at UFC 42, adding to his prestige and financial gains. At UFC 45, Hughes triumphed over Frank Trigg in their first encounter. Hughes’ initial title reign ended at UFC 46 when he lost to B.J. Penn. However, he regained the vacant World Welterweight title at UFC 50 by defeating Georges St-Pierre, re-establishing his dominance and increasing his earnings once more. His rematch with Frank Trigg at UFC 52 is considered one of the greatest fights in UFC history, likely boosting his pay-per-view revenue. In 2006, at UFC 60, Hughes defeated Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Royce Gracie in a non-title bout, which became the best-selling pay-per-view in UFC history. Although the exact breakdown of his earnings from this event is not publicly disclosed, it undoubtedly contributed significantly to his wealth. Later that year, he lost his title to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 65. His subsequent fights included a victory over Chris Lytle at UFC 68, followed by a loss to St-Pierre at UFC 79. He also lost to Thiago Alves at UFC 85 in 2008. Hughes then faced and defeated his rival Matt Serra at UFC 98 via unanimous decision. He set a record for most UFC wins at UFC 112 by defeating Renzo Gracie, extending it further with a win over Ricardo Almeida at UFC 117. However, his career began to wind down with losses to B.J. Penn at UFC 123 and Josh Koscheck at UFC 135. In 2010, Hughes was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. While induction itself doesn’t directly add to net worth, it enhances his legacy and potential for future endorsements and appearances. Over his UFC career, Hughes likely earned several million dollars in fight purses, win bonuses, and pay-per-view shares. Exact figures are not publicly available, but his status as a long-reigning champion and popular fighter would have put him among the higher earners in the welterweight division during his prime. His estimated $4 million net worth reflects these earnings, combined with income from other sources.
Television Appearances and Media Ventures
In 2005, Matt Hughes took on the role of head coach opposite Rich Franklin in the second season of Spike TV’s reality television series, “The Ultimate Fighter.” While the exact salary for this coaching role isn’t publicly available, it would have contributed to his income during that period. He returned to the series as a guest coach in 2007 and as a head coach again in 2007 and 2011. In 2011, Hughes hosted “Trophy Hunters TV” on the Outdoor Channel, followed by “Uncaged with Matt Hughes” and “The Takedown with Matt Hughes” on the Sportsman Channel. Hosting these shows would have provided additional income, though specific figures are not disclosed. These television appearances expanded his profile beyond MMA and diversified his income streams.
Personal Life, Train Accident, and Legal Issues
Matt Hughes is a born-again Christian and often shares Bible verses on his personal website. He has two daughters, Hannah and Katelyn, from his ex-wife Audra Moore. In 2017, Hughes was involved in a serious accident when a train struck his truck at a rail crossing in Montgomery County, Illinois. He sustained a severe head injury and was unconscious for a period of time. In 2019, Hughes sued Norfolk Southern Railway and several of its employees for the crash. Details of any settlement or legal outcomes are not publicly available. Also in 2019, Moore filed a restraining order against Hughes, alleging domestic violence. His brother, Mark, also filed a restraining order, claiming Hughes had choked his son and attempted to damage his tractor. Hughes and his wife divorced soon after the restraining order was filed. The legal fees and any settlements related to these personal issues would have likely had a negative impact on his net worth.
