Jeff Hughes
Lights Out
USA
Dropped from UFC roster
Hughes was one of four fighters released by the UFC on Friday, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Hughes is without a win in four fights under the UFC banner, posting two decision losses, one fight ruled a "no contest" due to an accidental eye poke, and most recently, a first-round defeat by submission. He wasn't the least bit competitive in the recent loss to Juan Espino, which is particularly concerning given Espino is a 39-year-old coming off nearly a two-year layoff, and Hughes wasn't able to land a single significant strike. Hughes is still 32 years old, which is still young for a heavyweight, so he'll presumably get a chance to turn things around in a lesser promotion. Training with champion Stipe Miocic at Strong Style Fight Team in Ohio is one way Hughes can continue to hone his skills.
Hughes is without a win in four fights under the UFC banner, posting two decision losses, one fight ruled a "no contest" due to an accidental eye poke, and most recently, a first-round defeat by submission. He wasn't the least bit competitive in the recent loss to Juan Espino, which is particularly concerning given Espino is a 39-year-old coming off nearly a two-year layoff, and Hughes wasn't able to land a single significant strike. Hughes is still 32 years old, which is still young for a heavyweight, so he'll presumably get a chance to turn things around in a lesser promotion. Training with champion Stipe Miocic at Strong Style Fight Team in Ohio is one way Hughes can continue to hone his skills.
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Quickly taps out in Abu Dhabi
Hughes lost to Juan Espino via submission (arm-triangle) at 3:48 of Round 1 at UFC 253 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Hughes' struggles continue. The big man is now without a victory in his first four bouts (1-3, 1NC) since earning his contract on Dana White's Contender Series in July 2018. Hughes is a pure brawler with limited technical skills, particularly on the mat, so it comes as no surprise he had difficulty with a BJJ wizard such as Espino. UFC brass is going to have a hard time running the 32-year-old Hughes back out there again.
Hughes' struggles continue. The big man is now without a victory in his first four bouts (1-3, 1NC) since earning his contract on Dana White's Contender Series in July 2018. Hughes is a pure brawler with limited technical skills, particularly on the mat, so it comes as no surprise he had difficulty with a BJJ wizard such as Espino. UFC brass is going to have a hard time running the 32-year-old Hughes back out there again.
Facing Espino Sept. 26
Hughes will take on Juan Espino at UFC 253 on September 26, ESPN MMA reports.
ANALYSIS
Hughes was supposed to fight Tanner Boser on March 28, but that event was later scratched due to COVID-19 concerns. This will be his first time in the Octagon since October of 2019 when he lost via unanimous decision to Raphael Pessoa. This late September bout with Espino will be at heavyweight.
Hughes was supposed to fight Tanner Boser on March 28, but that event was later scratched due to COVID-19 concerns. This will be his first time in the Octagon since October of 2019 when he lost via unanimous decision to Raphael Pessoa. This late September bout with Espino will be at heavyweight.
Gets new opponent for March 28
Hughes (10-3-0, 1 NC) is now scheduled to face Tanner Boser (17-6-1) in a heavyweight fight March 28 at UFC on ESPN 8.
ANALYSIS
Hughes will have to contend with both an opponent and venue change in his return to the Octagon. Along with Boser's addition to the card in place of Carlos Felipe (8-0-0), Hughes will head to a to-be-determined location for the fight after the event was moved from Columbus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Hughes has gone 0-3 since joining the promotion.
Hughes will have to contend with both an opponent and venue change in his return to the Octagon. Along with Boser's addition to the card in place of Carlos Felipe (8-0-0), Hughes will head to a to-be-determined location for the fight after the event was moved from Columbus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Hughes has gone 0-3 since joining the promotion.
Booked for UFC Columbus
Hughes will take on Carlos Felipe in a heavyweight bout at UFC Columbus on March 28, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Hughes has failed to record a victory in each of his first three fights with the UFC, most recently losing to Raphael Pessoa via unanimous decision at UFC Singapore in October. The 31-year-old is now 10-3 (1 NC) over his professional career, but it's safe to wonder how much more patience the promotion will have if Hughes is unable to contend against Felipe. Felipe has yet to make his UFC debut as he was suspended for two years in 2017 after testing positive for Stanozolol prior to making his debut, but he carries a record of 8-0 over his MMA career. Hughes carries a slight height advantage heading into the fight.
Hughes has failed to record a victory in each of his first three fights with the UFC, most recently losing to Raphael Pessoa via unanimous decision at UFC Singapore in October. The 31-year-old is now 10-3 (1 NC) over his professional career, but it's safe to wonder how much more patience the promotion will have if Hughes is unable to contend against Felipe. Felipe has yet to make his UFC debut as he was suspended for two years in 2017 after testing positive for Stanozolol prior to making his debut, but he carries a record of 8-0 over his MMA career. Hughes carries a slight height advantage heading into the fight.
Still looking for first UFC win
Hughes lost to Raphael Pessoa via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Singapore.
ANALYSIS
After three UFC fights, Hughes is still looking for his first win in the Octagon. He had a solid showing against Pessoa, but it was not enough to sway the judges. He landed 34 significant strikes, but Pessoa stayed ahead of him for most of the bout and landed 39. It will be interesting to see if Hughes retains his job in the UFC. He is now 0-2 and one "no contest," but on the other hand, the UFC is not exactly deep in terms of heavyweights.
After three UFC fights, Hughes is still looking for his first win in the Octagon. He had a solid showing against Pessoa, but it was not enough to sway the judges. He landed 34 significant strikes, but Pessoa stayed ahead of him for most of the bout and landed 39. It will be interesting to see if Hughes retains his job in the UFC. He is now 0-2 and one "no contest," but on the other hand, the UFC is not exactly deep in terms of heavyweights.