Jeff Hughes (born May 17, 1988) is an American
mixed martial artist
Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorp ...
. A professional since 2014, he has also fought in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...
and
Legacy Fighting Alliance
Legacy Fighting Alliance is an American mixed martial arts promotion, created as a result of the ''Legacy Fighting Championship'' and ''Resurrection Fighting Alliance'' merger in early 2017.
History Resurrection Fighting Alliance
On October 11, ...
, where he was a former heavyweight champion.
Background
Hughes was born and raised in
Canton, Ohio
Canton () is a city in and the county seat of Stark County, Ohio. It is located approximately south of Cleveland and south of Akron in Northeast Ohio. The city lies on the edge of Ohio's extensive Amish country, particularly in Holmes and ...
. He played basketball and wrestled in high school. He then turned to MMA after he graduated from high school in his hometown of Canton, Ohio.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
After compiling an amateur record of 11-3 from 2007 until 2013, Hughes started his professional MMA career in 2014 and fought under numerous organizations, notably
Legacy Fighting Alliance
Legacy Fighting Alliance is an American mixed martial arts promotion, created as a result of the ''Legacy Fighting Championship'' and ''Resurrection Fighting Alliance'' merger in early 2017.
History Resurrection Fighting Alliance
On October 11, ...
where he was the Heavyweight Champion twice.
He amassed a record of 9-1 before competing in
Dana White's Contender Series 14.
Dana White's Contender Series
Hughes appeared in
Dana White's Contender Series 14 web-series program on July 24, 2018, facing
Josh Appelt
Josh Appelt is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2009, he has competed for Bellator and King of the Cage.
Background
Born and raised in California, Appelt wrestled ...
. He won the fight via first-round TKO. With this win, Hughes was awarded a contract with the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Hughes made his UFC debut on March 9, 2019 at
UFC Fight Night 146
''UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. dos Santos'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 146'' or ''UFC on ESPN+ 4'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that was held on March 9, 2019 at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, ...
against
Daniel Spitz
Daniel Spitz (born July 31, 1990) is a retired American mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 2013 until 2019, he competed for King of the Cage and the UFC.
Background
Spitz was born in Spokane, Washington, United States. He atten ...
. However, Spitz pulled out of the fight in February citing injury and he was replaced by
Maurice Greene. He lost the fight via a split decision.
Hughes faced
Todd Duffee
Todd or Todds may refer to:
Places
;Australia:
* Todd River, an ephemeral river
;United States:
* Todd Valley, California, also known as Todd, an unincorporated community
* Todd, Missouri, a ghost town
* Todd, North Carolina, an unincorporated ...
on September 14, 2019 at
UFC Fight Night 158
''UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Gaethje'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 158'' or ''UFC on ESPN+ 16'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on September 14, 2019 at Rogers Arena in Vancouv ...
. The bout ended in the first round as a no contest due to an accidental eye poke that rendered Duffee unable to continue.
Hughes faced
Raphael Pessoa
Raphael Pessoa (born March 9, 1989) is a Brazilian mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight (MMA), Heavyweight division of Absolute Championship Akhmat, Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA). He also formerly competed ...
on October 26, 2019 at
UFC Fight Night 162
''UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Askren'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 162'' or '' UFC on ESPN+ 20'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on October 26, 2019 at Singapore Indoor Stadium in ...
. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Hughes was expected to face promotional newcomer
Carlos Felipe
Carlos Felipe (born January 12, 1995) is a Brazilian mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competed in the Heavyweight (MMA), Heavyweight division. A professional since 2014, he most notably fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (U ...
on March 14, 2020 at
UFC Fight Night 170
''UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 170'' and ''UFC on ESPN+ 28'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on March 14, 2020 at Ginásio Nilson Nelson in B ...
. Due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...
, the event was eventually postponed .
Hughes faced
Juan Espino
Juan Espino (born 9 October 1980) is a Spanish retired mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competed in the Heavyweight (MMA), heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Grappling
Juan Espino started in Canarian wres ...
on September 27, 2020 at
UFC 253
''UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on September 27, 2020 at the du Forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Background
The event was orig ...
. He lost the fight via submission in round one.
On October 2, 2020 it was reported that Hughes was released by the UFC.
Championships and accomplishments
*
Legacy Fighting Alliance
Legacy Fighting Alliance is an American mixed martial arts promotion, created as a result of the ''Legacy Fighting Championship'' and ''Resurrection Fighting Alliance'' merger in early 2017.
History Resurrection Fighting Alliance
On October 11, ...
**
Legacy Fighting Alliance Heavyweight Champion (Two times)
Mixed martial arts record
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 10–4 (1)
,
Juan Espino
Juan Espino (born 9 October 1980) is a Spanish retired mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competed in the Heavyweight (MMA), heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Grappling
Juan Espino started in Canarian wres ...
, Submission (scarf hold choke)
,
UFC 253
''UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on September 27, 2020 at the du Forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Background
The event was orig ...
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 3:48
,
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi (, ; ar, أَبُو ظَبْيٍ ' ) is the capital and second-most populous city (after Dubai) of the United Arab Emirates. It is also the capital of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the centre of the Abu Dhabi Metropolitan Area.
...
, United Arab Emirates
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 10–3 (1)
, ,
Raphael Pessoa
Raphael Pessoa (born March 9, 1989) is a Brazilian mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight (MMA), Heavyweight division of Absolute Championship Akhmat, Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA). He also formerly competed ...
, Decision (unanimous)
,
UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Askren
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Kallang
Kallang is a planning area and residential town located in the Central Region of Singapore.
Development of the town is centered around the Kallang River, the longest river in Singapore. Kallang Planning Area is bounded by Toa Payoh in the no ...
, Singapore
,
, -
, NC
, align=center, 10–2 (1)
,
Todd Duffee
Todd or Todds may refer to:
Places
;Australia:
* Todd River, an ephemeral river
;United States:
* Todd Valley, California, also known as Todd, an unincorporated community
* Todd, Missouri, a ghost town
* Todd, North Carolina, an unincorporated ...
, NC (accidental eye poke)
,
UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Gaethje
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 4:03
,
Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver ( ) is a major city in western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 10–2
,
Maurice Greene
, Decision (split)
,
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. dos Santos
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita ( ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Sedgwick County, Kansas, Sedgwick County. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population of the city was 397,532. The Wichita metro area had ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 10–1
,
Josh Appelt
Josh Appelt is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2009, he has competed for Bellator and King of the Cage.
Background
Born and raised in California, Appelt wrestled ...
, TKO (punches)
,
Dana White's Contender Series 14
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 4:26
,
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 9–1
,
Maurice Greene
, Decision (unanimous)
,
LFA 38
,
, align=center, 5
, align=center, 5:00
,
Minneapolis
Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. Minneapolis has its origins ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 8–1
, Richard Odoms
, Decision (unanimous)
,
LFA 26
,
, align=center, 5
, align=center, 5:00
,
Houston, Texas
Houston (; ) is the most populous city in Texas, the most populous city in the Southern United States, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, and the sixth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 in ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 7–1
, Ryan Pokryfky
, Decision (unanimous)
, Big Guns 24
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Tallmadge, Ohio
Tallmadge ( ) is a city in Summit and Portage counties in Ohio, United States. It is a suburb of Akron and part of the Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 17,537 at the 2010 census. Tallmadge was founded in 1807 and is the sec ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 6–1
, Dan Spohn
, TKO (punches)
, IT Fight Series 48
,
, align=center, 5
, align=center, 2:02
,
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus () is the state capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio. With a 2020 census population of 905,748, it is the 14th-most populous city in the U.S., the second-most populous city in the Midwest, after Chicago, and t ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 6–0
, John Hawk
, Decision (unanimous)
, Big Guns 18
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Mansfield, Ohio
Mansfield is a city in and the county seat of Richland County, Ohio, United States. Located midway between Columbus and Cleveland via Interstate 71, it is part of Northeast Ohio region in the western foothills of the Allegheny Plateau. The city ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 5–0
, Jason Riley
, KO (spinning back kick)
, Caged Madness 40
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 4:59
,
Akron, Ohio
Akron () is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Summit County, Ohio, Summit County. It is located on the western edge of the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau, about south of downtown Cleveland. As of the 2020 C ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 4–0
, Curt Lemmon
, Decision (unanimous)
, Big Guns 16
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Streetsboro, Ohio
Streetsboro is a city in Portage County, Ohio, United States. It is formed from the former township of Streetsboro, which was formed from the Connecticut Western Reserve. It is nearly co-extant with the former Streetsboro Township; the village of ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 3–0
, Ed Abrasley
, TKO (punches)
, PA Cage Fight 21
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:59
,
Akron, Ohio
Akron () is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Summit County, Ohio, Summit County. It is located on the western edge of the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau, about south of downtown Cleveland. As of the 2020 C ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 2–0
, Leviticus Roberson
, TKO (retirement)
, RFO: Big Guns 15
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 5:00
,
Akron, Ohio
Akron () is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Summit County, Ohio, Summit County. It is located on the western edge of the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau, about south of downtown Cleveland. As of the 2020 C ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 1–0
, Devon Wilson
, Submission (guillotine choke)
, Rock N Rumble 8
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 3:52
,
Canton, Ohio
Canton () is a city in and the county seat of Stark County, Ohio. It is located approximately south of Cleveland and south of Akron in Northeast Ohio. The city lies on the edge of Ohio's extensive Amish country, particularly in Holmes and ...
, United States
,
, -
See also
*
List of male mixed martial artists
This is a list of notable professional male mixed martial arts fighters in alphabetical order.
__NOTOC__
A
* Shamil Abdurakhimov - ( M-1, UFC)
* Daichi Abe - (UFC, Pancrase)
* Hiroyuki Abe - (Shooto, KOTC, Cage Rage, DEEP, Pride)
* Papy Ab ...
References
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hughes, Jeff
1988 births
Heavyweight mixed martial artists
Mixed martial artists utilizing wrestling
Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Living people
American male mixed martial artists
American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters
Sportspeople from Norfolk, Virginia
Mixed martial artists from Virginia