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Post by Ian from 616Entertainment. on Jun 8, 2008 20:09:08 GMT -5
I've been reading too many posts on fourms lately about people saying that Matt Hughes is losing because he has lost his touch as he gets older. I started this thread because when people say he's lost it, I say bull ****.
Don't get me wrong, I am not a Hughes hater in any way, shape or form. I find him very entertaining, and I know he is a great fighter. I just can't stand how so many people are blaming his recent losses on his age. His performance has changed very little, which leads to my main point in this rant.
What is the only way his performance has changed? He isn't dominating people anymore. That's it. And why isn't he dominating people anymore?
The answer is simple, really.
It's the quality of opponents he's facing.
Again, don't read too far into it. I'm not bashing guys like Carlos Newton and Frank Trigg, saying they suck and this and that. What I'm saying is today's top fighter is better than Matt Hughes. A perfect analogy is UFC 60: Hughes vs. Gracie. Royce fans jumped all over that fight, saying this and that. Matt didn't stop Royce in the first round because Royce had aged. Matt stopped Royce because Matt is the better fighter, hands down.
Matt Hughes dominated in an age that saw Frank Trigg (16-6), Joe Riggs (27-10), Renato Verissimo (7-5), a much too heavy Sean Sherk (17-0 back then), a relatively green GSP (8-1 at the time) and unmotivated BJ Penn (10-4 at the time) as some of his biggest challengers.
Have a look at the Welterweight division of today. We've got a very well rounded Jon Fitch (22-2-1), a focused and ass kicking Georges St. Pierre (16-2), an on fire as of late Thiago Alves (21-4), young gun wrecking balls in Josh Koscheck (13-2) and Diego Sanchez (20-2), and many, many more.
What I'm trying to say is that the landscape has changed. Matt Hughes was the king of the hill when climbers with tools made of plastic and wood were trying to climb to the top, whereas now a days the climbers are swooping in in helicopters.
Today's top fighters are much better than yesterday's top fighters is what I'm getting at. It seems right now that Matt Hughes is coming out as one of yesterday's top fighters, and there's nothing he can do about it.
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Post by 6 seasons and a movie on Jun 8, 2008 22:41:26 GMT -5
I am not a fan of Hughes actually I really don't like him much, but to say he has lost it is a little early. GSP may be one of the best athletes to fight in the UFC ever so losing to him isn't that bad. The Alves fight is a looks a little worse but it was on short notice when he was planning on taking some time off and Alves didn't even have to make weight for the fight. If he were to lose to Serra early maybe then he should look to get out.
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DWright
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 7, 2005 18:30:58 GMT -5
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Post by DWright on Jun 8, 2008 23:49:14 GMT -5
He lost to Dennis Hallman...
...twice. That says a lot.
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Post by Kliquid on Jun 9, 2008 0:01:11 GMT -5
He lost to Dennis Hallman... ...twice. That says a lot. A lot of fighters have random "kryptonite" like that. |
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DWright
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Joined on: Jan 7, 2005 18:30:58 GMT -5
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Post by DWright on Jun 9, 2008 1:25:36 GMT -5
He lost to Dennis Hallman... ...twice. That says a lot. A lot of fighters have random "kryptonite" like that. I know, I'm just adding to what Sweeney Todd was trying to emphasize, because I really do agree. I really think Hughes was a great fighter for his time and generation. But I think if he started his career now, he wouldn't be the "Best Welterweight Of All Time." I think he'd be good, but not the GSP level. |
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Post by Mr. Orange on Jun 9, 2008 5:13:54 GMT -5
I think that Hughes has 2 main problems:
1) The caliber of opponents have gotten better
2) His game plan is exactly the same everytime and it makes him one dimensional
I think those are the 2 main things with Hughes that are hurting him right now, not age. An opponent only has to nullify Hughes takedowns an he'll win most of the fight. On the other hand, look at GSP. You have to worry about hands, takedowns, speed and submissions. He can come at you with anything, making him a much more dangerous and better fighter. Hughes's gameplan might work on some guys, but not any more.
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Post by ET had AIDS on Jun 9, 2008 11:51:30 GMT -5
hes not as good as phil hughes
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Post by Codesters on Jun 9, 2008 13:50:01 GMT -5
Matt Hughes was one of the top wrestlers and mma fighters in 2002. Times changed. And you have to face the facts Sweeny, Hughes is getting old.
Hes also a dick head. which is why I personally cant stand him.
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DWright
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Joined on: Jan 7, 2005 18:30:58 GMT -5
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Post by DWright on Jun 9, 2008 14:45:44 GMT -5
Matt Hughes was one of the top wrestlers and mma fighters in 2002. Times changed. And you have to face the facts Sweeny, Hughes is getting old. Hes also a dick head. which is why I personally cant stand him. That's just Matt being Matt. In my opinion he's not a dick, just like Jeremy Horn said '' Matt has a dry sence of humor. '' So i think Matt looks at things differently than most people. I met Matt Hughes once...talking to another fighter while he was around. Hughes didn't acknowledge the fighter, nor myself...even when the person I was with tried to be polite to him. Matt Hughes is a prick. |
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Post by Patrick Bateman (original) on Jun 9, 2008 18:07:38 GMT -5
That's just Matt being Matt. In my opinion he's not a dick, just like Jeremy Horn said '' Matt has a dry sence of humor. '' So i think Matt looks at things differently than most people. I met Matt Hughes once...talking to another fighter while he was around. Hughes didn't acknowledge the fighter, nor myself...even when the person I was with tried to be polite to him. Matt Hughes is a prick. I have also met Matt. And he only acts "nice" when someone around him is more famous than him. Other than that he is a dick. |
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Post by Ian from 616Entertainment. on Jun 9, 2008 20:17:57 GMT -5
Matt Hughes was one of the top wrestlers and mma fighters in 2002. Times changed. And you have to face the facts Sweeny, Hughes is getting old. Hes also a dick head. which is why I personally cant stand him. He's 34 years old. Chuck is 39, Randy is going to be 45 in like 14 days. His age is not the problem here. I said it before. Matt is one of the best of yesterday's fighters. |
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Post by shogun on Jun 10, 2008 7:40:59 GMT -5
Bring back Carlos Newton. That guy was awesome. Always put on a good fight, just never had the raw strength to handle Hughes. Actually, I think Newton would fare better against GSP than Hughes did.
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Post by ajstyles888 on Jun 10, 2008 11:29:06 GMT -5
I love Hughes, but i do think it's mostly to do with his age.
- Iron Heart
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Post by Patrick Bateman (original) on Jun 10, 2008 14:52:13 GMT -5
To be honest I think it is his training regimen. His last fight against St. Pierre he was training in an old gym. And he finally got his new one up and built. Not having a place to train properly and also having other things to distract you from training (getting the facility up and going) are two major detourants from winning fights.
That being said I don't think Matt Hughes will ever bethe same because he suffered two very humiliating losses.
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Post by Ian from 616Entertainment. on Jun 10, 2008 16:55:33 GMT -5
To be honest I think it is his training regimen. His last fight against St. Pierre he was training in an old gym. And he finally got his new one up and built. Not having a place to train properly and also having other things to distract you from training (getting the facility up and going) are two major detourants from winning fights. That being said I don't think Matt Hughes will ever bethe same because he suffered two very humiliating losses. Very humiliating? Are you kidding me? There is nothing humiliating about losing to GSP and Thiago Alves. Sure, he didn't leave with a smile on his face, but being out classed by a better fighter is nothing to be down on yourself about. |
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Post by Codesters on Jun 11, 2008 15:58:06 GMT -5
Matt Hughes was one of the top wrestlers and mma fighters in 2002. Times changed. And you have to face the facts Sweeny, Hughes is getting old. Hes also a dick head. which is why I personally cant stand him. He's 34 years old. Chuck is 39, Randy is going to be 45 in like 14 days. His age is not the problem here. I said it before. Matt is one of the best of yesterday's fighters. Just Because Chuck and Randy are doin great for their age doesnt mean every fighter will  Age affects people differently. Imo Matt should maybe have one or two more fights and iff he loses call it quits. |
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Post by johnnymalloy on Jun 15, 2008 16:42:59 GMT -5
Quality of opponents in UFC changed. So Hughes win percentage changed. Enough said.
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