Hughes is a farm boy from Hillsboro who became an All-American wrestler at Eastern in the mid-1990s (that’s Hughes at EIU on the left) and, for a time, was an assistant coach. Hughes also carries a proud distinction here at the EIU (Unofficial) Hall of Fame: the rumors we gathered about his social life while on campus are so hot we can’t print any of them. He’s the only person in the shrine we can say that about.

Nowadays, Hughes is considered a musclehead in a sport full of pumped-up studs. He used to be called The Wreckin’ Machine, but he dumped that nickname because it was too wussy. Now he just goes by Matt Hughes and (thanks to his reputation) that is scary enough.

Some of Hughes’ major fights in the UFC have ended in the following ways: stoppage by a doctor, knocking someone unconscious, doctor stoppage because of an eye injury, and stoppage due to “strikes” (we don’t know what “strikes” are but it sounds bad).

While we can’t tell you much – for fear of lawsuit – about his days at EIU, here’s a story he once told the MMA Insider about his EIU-esque ways.

"There was a UFC in New Orleans. The night before, a bunch of us fighters went out - me, Jens Pulver, Pat Miletich, (promoter/manager) Monte Cox. And we were down on Bourbon Street. We were all drunk. We all drank Hurricanes, you know them? They have like seven shots in one drink! I had four, Pat had four. We're all plastered. Pat's got two false teeth. Walking back, me and Pat decided to do a beer guzzle contest. Pat won the race. But then he was puking and walking up the street. Puking, then walking, puking, then walking. Then he realized that he puked his teeth out! Then he had to go back and sift through his puke and find his teeth [smiles]. One of those things I'll never forget.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life.

He lives in Hillsboro with his family. He has a custom-made motorcycle and Hummer.

Best of all, Matt is a loyal Panther who comes back to campus. But aside from the wrestling team, EIU basically pisses all over him. He hasn’t been named a distinguished alumnus nor inducted into the school’s sports hall of fame.

You’ve got a home here, Matt!!!

Sources for information and some photos: Matt Hughes’ Web site, Matt Hughes’ MySpace Page, Wikipedia and Panther wrestling.