All good things...

The following article was posted on Sherdog.com this morning.

Hughes: Two More Fights Before Retirement
by Greg Savage

There have been rumblings from the Miletich camp for several months that UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes was considering winding down his extraordinary career. Hughes recently confirmed to Sherdog.com that he indeed plans on fighting out his current UFC contract, which will have one bout left following his title defense against Georges St. Pierre on Nov. 18, before retiring from active participation in the sport of mixed martial arts.

The question was first broached when Hughes was asked where he saw himself a year from now. "Hopefully retired with my family back home," the UFC welterweight champion responded. "In a perfect world" Hughes declared that he would "fight a couple more times, retire, [and] go back home." Hughes cited the strain of being away from family, including a newborn daughter, as motivation for hanging up his four-ounce gloves. The two time UFC champ, who stands at 40-4-0, made it clear he has come to a point where the benefits of fighting are far outweighed by the negatives that come along with it.

Hughes, 33, did leave open the possibility, should he get past a very tough St. Pierre, of moving up in weight to face UFC 185-pound champion Anderson Silva in hopes of becoming the first fighter to concurrently hold UFC titles in multiple weight classes.

Now I know many of you who check my blog are in the habit of skipping over my posts on the UFC. But even those of you who only skim the titles and pictures of such posts should have gathered that I have a great deal of admiration for Matt Hughes. As I said in September, he is my favorite active fighter, and his name must be mentioned whenever the subject of MMA's G.O.A.T. is being debated.

Given that he will only be about 34 years-old when his current contract is up, I'm a bit surprised that Matt has already finalized his plans to walk away from the sport. I can't help but feel a certain measure of disappointment. Of course, as Michael Jordan demonstrated for us, retirement need not be permanent. But given the reasons Matt cited for his retirement, it will likely be a few years before we see him compete again. Whether he returns or not, the fact remains that Hughes' run of dominance will soon come to an end.

What remains to be seen is how Hughes will exit the sport. Will he retire as champion, the UFC Welterweight belt still around his waist? For that to happen, he first must prevail against the uber-tough St. Pierre next Saturday evening. Greg Savage mentions what Matt's next move might be if he retains the title. Yet if he should falter against the present No. 1 contender, who will stand across the Octagon from him for his swan song? That fight would have to be meaningful. Would this be the ideal time for a rubber match with B.J. Penn? Or might the UFC place their living legend against a hungry, young lion like Diego Sanchez? Many fans would go crazy over that match up, and it would fit into the "Old School vs. New School" format the UFC brass seem to be in love with.

Whatever the near future might hold for Mr. Matt Hughes, I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to observe his career. I am also thankful for the privilege of having been able to cheer him on during some of his most memorable contests. He is the type of champion that can only be succeeded, never replaced.

Thank you, Matt. If any one has earned the right to retire on top, it is you. Now go out in style and kick some French Canadian ass on the 18th!