There is an end of the year UFC tonight and I think the main event is going to be pretty exciting. I think Brock will win it in the second or third round. I would say that the only way Overeem can win is by a KO/referee stoppage in the first round; but I think Brock’s takedowns will play a huge part and I would say that he could get on top of him, wear him out and win the fight.
Trophy Hunters TV starts a new season and will have new episodes for the next three months. A new season also means new airtimes and here is what they are:
Tuesday at 6pm EST / 5pm CST
Wednesday at 8am EST / 7am CST
Saturday at 8pm EST / 7pm CST
They’ve done a few things different for the new season and I like what they’ve done. So watch it and let me know what you think.
The show description for this week:
1 Critter, 2 Critter, 3 Critter Boom! (Airs the week of December 26, 2011)
Matt Hughes hunts for big whitetail bucks at Agarita Ranch in South Texas, with ranch manager, Tye Green.
I hope everybody had a great Christmas, I know I did and I also wish everybody a great start to the New Year.
The Bible verse for this week:
And she will have a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)
I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to everyone out there and to thank our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for giving us the greatest gift we will ever receive and for making the ultimate sacrifice for our salvation. I hope everyone has a great day and please don’t forget our troops who are still out there defending our freedom. God bless.
Doing a lot of hunting and on the road a lot, so it’s been a little while since I’ve been here for a blog. When I get home, I’ve always got the “honey do” list to catch up on as well as reacquainting myself with the kids. I love to hunt, but man has this hunting season been dragging on. I’ve been able to kill quite a few animals this year and if you’re interested in what they are, follow me on Twitter (matthughes9x) and I’ll usually post a picture of my most recent kill.
The last two UFC events have been great. I was very interested in the Machida/Jones match up and it went kind of like I was hoping. I wanted Jones to get tested a little bit and then, as I figured he would, he eventually won. I read somewhere that two judges gave the first round to Jones. I’m very surprised at this as I really thought that Machida won the first round. That’s the one and only thing that I’ve always had a complaint with in this sport is the judging. I was also interested in the Noguiera/Mir match up as I wanted to see some groundwork. I saw the key-lock coming and was a little surprised Noguiera didn’t. Overall, I’m sure the UFC has been pretty happy with the last couple of events.
With only 11 days until Christmas, I hope everybody can take some time out from buying gifts and being busy and just enjoy what you have. I hope everybody has a safe and happy Christmas.
Air Dates & Times for 2011
Beginning August 15, 2011
Wednesday, 10:00 AM EST / 9:00 AM CST
Thursdays, 2:30 PM EST / 1:30 PM CST
Thursdays, 12:30 AM EST / 11:30 AM CST
Saturdays, 8:00 PM EST / 7:00 PM CST
The show description for this week:
“COLORADO ELK & TEXAS EXOTICS”
(Airs the week of December 12th, 2011)
A seasoned bowhunter goes all out to take a Rocky Mountain elk bull and two businessmen from Pennsylvania escape to Texas for a crossbow hunt only to find the heat was more than they bargained for.
The Bible verse for this week:
Put on the full armor of God so you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:13)
This weekend is UFC 137: Penn vs. Diaz and Audra and I will be out there rooting for several fighters. Dustin Jacoby, who used to fight out of the HIT Squad is competing; also from Pat’s old gym, Bart Palaszewski; Jeff Curran, a native northern Illinois boy is competing; and, as you all know, I’m going to go out and help BJ cut any weight and help him out in any way I can.
I really feel that if BJ is in shape, he should win this fight. I think BJ’s striking is better, I think BJ’s take-downs are better, and I think BJ’s ground game is better. So the only way I see Diaz winning is if he gasses BJ out. If you’re going out for the fight, hit the forums and let me know.
I’m currently driving home from the airport dictating this blog to Nate (my webmaster) over the phone. I’ve been sitting here debating whether I should tell this story or not and I’ve decided to go ahead and share it. So here we go: I’m in the airport bathroom washing my hands, getting ready to pick up my luggage and get on the shuttle. A man at the sink next to me says, “I’m surprised to see you here.” I do my typical thing where I look at him like I don’t know what he’s talking about. He then says, “UFC right?” and I say “Yes.” I then look him over a little bit and he’s an older gentlemen (he eventually told me he was 62) wearing nice clothes. He asks for a picture and I say sure we’ll step outside and snap a pic. Usually when I do this, we’ll find a third person to actually take the picture, so that way we’re both in the picture. Well he just whipped his camera out and took a picture of me, giving me just enough time to get my hands up into a fighting pose. I then went and grabbed my luggage and found a shuttle to take me to my truck. When I sat down in the shuttle he was sitting across from me. We struck up a conversation and as more people got on the shuttle, space got cramped, so I jumped over and sat next to him. I thought if I’m going to sit next to somebody, I might as well sit next to a good conversation. I would call myself a question-asker, so I quickly started to find out a little more about him. He was returning from a trip down to Dallas for a job interview. A few months back, he was let go from his job. He had mentioned that he was going to send the picture to his kid, so I asked about that. Turns out he’s been married for a long time and has 11 kids, ages 21-31. Then he tells me one of his boys is handicapped and lives in the house with them. He also said that his wife has never asked for anything, except that her father with cerebral palsy live out the rest of his life in their house. I asked a few questions about that and he says it’s tough because people with CP just don’t remember anything. After he tells me this, he keeps talking; but to be honest, I go straight to prayer for him and his family. Especially asking that he gets the job that he travelled so far to interview for. At this moment, I feel God putting something on my heart and when I get that feeling, a lot of times I’ll try and make God prove it to me. So I fired right back, “God if you want me to do this, have him get off the shuttle when I get off.” In a parking lot with a couple hundred cars, there is no chance he’s going to get off the shuttle when I do. So we keep chatting and when we get to the parking lot the driver asks where I was parked and what I was driving. The guy I prayed for said “That’s right next to me,” and he got off the shuttle when I did. So now I know what I need to do, but how am I going to phrase it? That’s what I’m thinking the whole time as I put my luggage in my car as he’s still standing there chatting with me. So I told him, “I’m trying to hurry up and put my kids to bed; but I’ve got to tell you a story.” I tell him “I started praying for you when you told me a little bit about yourself. God put something on my heart – so I told him to prove it and have you get off the shuttle when I did. Well, you did and now I have to do what God has put on my heart.” I gave him a $100 bill out of my wallet and said, “Go take your wife out to eat wherever she wants to go.” Of course, he wanted nothing to do with the money, but how do you say no? I told him I consider myself a greedy man, because I know that if I give him $100, in a short time God going to give me $1000. I could tell he was astonished and speechless, so I jumped in my truck and, at this moment, I am still trying to race home to catch my kids before they fall asleep. One of the funny things is, I never caught the man’s name. I believe what happened tonight is what you might call a “divine appointment.” God knew that this man and I would meet before I parked my truck at the airport. Even before this whole trip was scheduled, God arranged for this meeting. So I’m just humbled and awe-struck at how He works in our lives. I will continue to pray for this man and I would ask that anyone else who feels led to should pray for him as well.
Air Dates & Times for 2011
Beginning August 15, 2011
Wednesday, 10:00 AM EST / 9:00 AM CST
Thursdays, 2:30 PM EST / 1:30 PM CST
Thursdays, 12:30 AM EST / 11:30 AM CST
Saturdays, 8:00 PM EST / 7:00 PM CST
The show description for this week:
“Grin & Bear It”
(Airs the week of October 24th, 2011)
On his first archery hunt for bears, Matt Hughes enjoys the scenery of Saskatchewan, Canada. After a long wait, his patience is rewarded with the opportunity to take a cinnamon bear.
The Bible verse for this week:
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29)
I guess GSP is out of his title fight at UFC 137. All I know is it is some sort of knee injury, but I don’t know how bad or how long he’ll be out. I will go out on a limb and say it doesn’t have to be all that serious for Georges to pull out of the fight, because I know that he likes to make sure he’s 100% before he steps into the octagon.
Well this Thursday I’m going to the World Series with Matt Pena, Robbie Lawler and Tony. I’ve never been to a World Series game, so I hope the weather’s decent. Who knows when the next time the Cards will be there? I know this might come as a surprise for some Cubs fans; but they do play baseball in October. Most of the Chicago area has been in football mode for a little over a month now.
Air Dates & Times for 2011
Beginning August 15, 2011
Wednesday, 10:00 AM EST / 9:00 AM CST
Thursdays, 2:30 PM EST / 1:30 PM CST
Thursdays, 12:30 AM EST / 11:30 AM CST
Saturdays, 8:00 PM EST / 7:00 PM CST
The show description for this week:
“Whitetail – Four for Four
(Airs the week of October 17th, 2011)
Share the adventure of four passionate whitetail hunters as they pursue their own unique experiences in very different parts of Texas.
The Bible verse for this week:
Let the loveliness of the LORD, our God, rest on us, confirming the work we do. (Psalm 90:17)
Second, I want to thank everyone for all the support that I had before, during and after the fight. I can remember during the fight that it was so loud I could barely hear my cornermen. I could hear them yelling behind me and I had to back up to understand what they were saying. I have always liked listening to my corner and I have always said that MY cornerman make it a team sport. Several forum members have told their stories about the weekend so here is a link to that: Boomer Tale – Denver
At the end of the month, Audra and I will head to Vegas to talk with DW and decide what to do next in regards to my UFC career. My wife says I’m going to retire and I can’t say I blame her. Back when my brother was still fighting, it was hard enough for me to watch him in the octagon; so I can imagine that it is much harder when it is someone you are married to in there fighting. But I told her that I will decide when I give it up. I just feel I have more to give. I’ve never been hit in practice and hurt and I think in my last two fights I’ve just been hit hard. Like I said, we will get it figured out at the end of the month.
I’m headed into hunting season now, so I’m still busy. I’ve had 2 weeks with the family so that has been great. Tater (Katelyn) my 21 month old and I have gotten to spend some good time together. Joey and Hanna are in school, so I’m not around them during the day. Mark’s in the field now, so I will tell Nate to snap some pictures of the work being done.
Like I said before, I want to thank you all for the support and I will know a lot more after BJ’s fight.
The UFC has made a very good DVD collection with a lot of footage shot at my house and several interviews on it. It should be available for sale right now, if you’re interested. Here is the link to the UFC’s promotional video for the set (it’s in hi-definition so it might take a while to load up): ULT-HUGHES-PROMO
Air Dates & Times for 2011
Beginning August 15, 2011
Wednesday, 10:00 AM EST / 9:00 AM CST
Thursdays, 2:30 PM EST / 1:30 PM CST
Thursdays, 12:30 AM EST / 11:30 AM CST
Saturdays, 8:00 PM EST / 7:00 PM CST
The show description for this week:
“Long Time Coming”
(Airs the week of October 3rd, 2011)
After three seasons of near misses, a dedicated bowhunter from New Jersey seeks success in bringing down his first Rocky Mountain elk.
The Bible verse for this week:
Surely this is our God: we trusted in Him, and He saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation. (Isaiah 25:9)
As most of you know, Diego hurt his hand and is now out of the fight. I was sad to hear that, I was looking forward to going up against another Christian and thought that I could just let the fight go in God’s hands. Dana called me yesterday and told me the bad news, and said that Koscheck or Fitch would most likely be replacing Diego. I said “yes” to either fighter and then here about a half hour ago, DW called me and told me it was going to be Koscheck.
Training has been going great. Yes, we’re switching things up with a different opponent and I will be ready.
Air Dates & Times for 2011
Beginning March 28, 2011
Tuesdays, 6:00 PM EST / 5:00 PM CST
Thursdays, 2:00 am EST / 1:00 am CST
Saturdays, 8:00 pm EST / 7:00 pm CST
The show description for this week:
“Hunting in the Heat”
(Airs the week of September 5th, 2011)
Blake Barnett discovers the true meaning of heat during a Texas crossbow hunt and TTHA’s Hal Gahm returns to his home state of Illinois during the whitetail rut.
The Bible verse for this week:
Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. (Psalm 86:11-12)
As most of you know, the week before last I had a great training camp in Hillsboro. I’d like to say thanks to everybody around town for being so good to all of the guys. I also want to say thanks to Hillsboro High School for letting us use their gym.
The training was great. Actually there was so much information there that it was hard to soak it all up. Between Jeremy, BJ, Pat, Robbie, Demarques and Matt, there was a lot of experience to learn from the whole week long. With 208 wins and 277 total fights between all of us, it was a great place to soak up all the knowledge. I think BJ really liked Hillsboro, as did the other guys and I would have to say that most of them will come back just to visit. We practiced twice a day, around 9:00 in the morning and 4:00 in the afternoon. Between the two practices we shot guns, rode 4-wheelers, swam, and just relaxed. So we had a full day with two practices and just good entertainment between. At night everyone had their own hotel rooms, so it gave me a little family time with the kids. All in all it was a great experience and one of those things I will never forget.
This last weekend, we had some fights and, lo and behold, I get a text from my buddy who likes to wager a little bit. He thinks Okami is going to win and I reply back that I would take Anderson. And once again, my buddy loses a bet. Now he says he’ll never bet me again; but we’ll see.
Been doing a lot of training in Salt Lake City and will be heading back there in the future.
Recently I decided to set up a Facebook Fan Page. You can visit and “like” the page by clicking on the link below: Matt Hughes Facebook Fan Page
I’ve also set up a Twitter account, but I haven’t done anything with it yet. You can still follow me by clicking on the link below: Matt Hughes@matthughes9x
Air Dates & Times for 2011
Beginning March 28, 2011
Tuesdays, 6:00 PM EST / 5:00 PM CST
Thursdays, 2:00 am EST / 1:00 am CST
Saturdays, 8:00 pm EST / 7:00 pm CST
The show description for this week:
Show #36 “Wompus Goes to Texas”
(Airs the week of August 29th, 2011)
Father and son (Wompus and Clay) journey down to San Antonio, Texas, from Arkansas, for their first visit to the Hunters Extravaganza and to find some time to squeeze in a south Texas hunt.
The Bible verse for this week:
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. (Psalm 91:2)
I spent all of last week in Salt Lake City with Jeremy, Matt and the rest of the gang. Had a great week rolling with Jeremy and the guys and hitting with Matt. Friday, I flew straight down to Houston where I’ve been at the Texas Trophy Hunters Extravaganza. We did go to a place to watch the fights tonight and I got a text from a buddy of mine wanting to bet on some of the fights. Money wasn’t an issue, but bragging rights were up for grabs. Surprisingly, I won three out of the four fights and now Baby J owes me 10 bucks. Overall, a fun night was had socializing with a lot of friends and texting BJ about what was going on with the fights. I did text my buddy Boomer about who he had in the fights and he immediately texted back “go away.” After another text, I found out that we both had Rashad, so Boomer’s money was safe this time.
This next week, I’ll have training camp at home and it will be a good one and the week after that I’ve got some big news I will break later.
Air Dates & Times for 2011
Beginning March 28, 2011
Tuesdays, 6:00 PM EST / 5:00 PM CST
Thursdays, 2:00 am EST / 1:00 am CST
Saturdays, 8:00 pm EST / 7:00 pm CST
The show description for this week:
Show #32 “Freedom Isn’t Free Hunt”
(Airs the week of August 10th, 2011)
Returning wounded warriors get their chance to go hunting on a south Texas ranch. The Freedom Isn’t Free Hunt shows its’ respect and gives back a hunt that will always be remembered.
The Bible verse for this week:
Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:17)
Sorry about the super late blog, I’ve been up in Chicago training and getting Robbie ready for his fight tonight on Strikeforce against Tim Kennedy. Had a good week. Robbie looks great, made weight easy and will be heavy come fight time.
Robbie has been getting a lot of attention due to him falling asleep at the press conference, so here’s a picture of that:
It’s been fun up here this week with the UFC taking over Strikeforce. The UFC is just so much better managed that things are flowing a lot more smoothly. It’s also fun being around guys I’ve known for a little while because I like to jack around and have a good time with people I’m familiar with. This is Burt from the UFC, I like to call him Elmer because he is the glue that keeps this place together:
So I hope everybody tunes in tonight and watches the fight and I’ll check back in with you next week.
Air Dates & Times for 2011
Beginning March 28, 2011
Tuesdays, 6:00 PM EST / 5:00 PM CST
Thursdays, 2:00 am EST / 1:00 am CST
Saturdays, 8:00 pm EST / 7:00 pm CST
The show description for this week:
Show #31 “Grin & Bear It”
(Airs the week of July 25th, 2011)
On his first archery hunt for bears, Matt Hughes enjoys the scenery of Saskatchewan, Canada. After a long wait, his patience is rewarded with the opportunity to take a cinnamon bear.
The Bible verse for this week:
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. (Jeremiah 33:3)
