By Team Player Engagement
Matt Hughes is a nine time UFC Champion and the Vice President of Player Development & Government Relations at UFC Headquarters.
“There are two types of people in this world, those who think they can, and those who think they can’t. And you know what? They’re both right.”– Matt Hughes
NFL Player Engagement: We’re here with Matt Hughes, nine time UFC champion and Vice President of Player Development at the UFC who has just stopped by the League Office while on-site for an athlete development summit hosted by the NFL & NBA – so Matt, what did you think of the P.A.A.D.S. Summit?
Matt Hughes: Very interesting. Of course this is a very new topic for the UFC. So I knew coming in here, I was going to soak up way more information than anyone else. It’s a concept that’s very new for our company and very new for me. Yesterday was great, but today was probably even better as I was able to sit down with some of the panelists and get answers to my own questions about the athlete development space.
PE: What are your thoughts on the NFL’s programs for Health & Wellness and Professional Development, from what you learned and what you know of us?
MH: It sounds like you (the NFL) have some really great things going on. I’m not sure when the NFL started and how long it was before the player development function came into play, but based on what I’ve heard I was impressed… you have a wealth of experience and knowledge and I may have to lean on you guys as I get my feet wet and get the UFC up and running.
PE: Matt – getting back to your impressive career, as you personally pushed awareness of the sport with your stunning victories – what do you think your greatest accomplishments have been both in sport and in life?
MH: Well the life experiences are pretty easy. I have four kids – two boys, and two girls – and a great wife at home. On the back of my tombstone I don’t want it to say Matt Hughes - 9x UFC champ, I want it to say great father, great husband (Checkout the All Pro Dad foundation) – so that’s my priority in life. In the UFC, you know, I’ve been here from the beginning. I can remember when no state sanctioned, to where we are now in the sport with nearly every state having accepted us… in New York, I’m actually coming back soon to Albany to speak with the legislature about what we’re doing. It’s been really interesting and inspiring to watch the progression. When I started I could be the champ and walk through the airport and no one knew who I was... now that I’ve had several title fights people will actually stop me and ask “Hey, are you Matt Hughes?” They recognize us, the sport has truly grown by leaps and bounds. I think in the past 10 years it has to be one of if not the fastest growing sports out there. And it’s been rewarding to be a part of that.
PE: Talk to me about having mental toughness and strength, what do you think has been your secret in honing your ability to push through obstacles and reach your highest potential?
MH: I think the sport of fighting is 50% physical and 50% mental. So if I can beat someone mentally, making them crumble physically quickly comes after that. I’ll always give people a very tough first round, so they’ve got to go back to their corner and think “hey, I’ve got four more of those” or if it’s a title fight, I have to take two more of these. I want them to start thinking “hey this guy’s tough.” I want to get in their head, I want them to think that taking a shower and washing their hair is going to be a heck of a lot easier – let’s tap out and just do that now. There have been several guys who I can site who I broke mentally and they just gave up. That being said – I have not yet perfected how to coach the mental side on the guys I’ve trained, and believe me I’ve tried… This mental edge, this toughness, I don’t know if it’s genetic or if it’s developed from your environment, there’s no magic in a bottle but it can be developed. One of the quotes I always refer to is Cardio is Confidence. And I think you gain confidence in yourself from preparation and experience. There are two types of people in this world, those who think they can, and those who think they can’t. And you know what – they’re both right.
PE: Perfect. In your opinion, what similarities are there between UFC fighters and NFL players? That could be mental, physical obviously, but what are your thoughts?
MH: In the end, yes I think they’re very similar, I mean yes your guys are playing on a team and we’re playing as individuals. But you’re head to head, your lineman is going against another lineman, your running back is going against that tackler… but there’s a distinct similarity in the timespan of that physical event. It’s all about getting into someone’s head, I have 15-20 minutes to work on my opponents and your players have a given number of plays inside of the game to work on their opponent and wear them down. There are also similarities in the precise hand control needed to gain the edge over their opponent from both an offensive and defensive standpoint.
PE: Last question Matt, and I want to thank you again for making time for us. If you and I were to engage in a friendly, non-sanctioned sparring match in the ring – how long would I last and what move would you deploy to take me down?
MH: Well Justin, I would definitely slam you. (Matt Hughes’ signature move!) And how long you would last would depend on your experience.
PE: Which is none.
MH: (Laughs) Well, then I’m putting a smile on my face and I would have a good time.