UFC hall-of-famer Matt Hughes announced his retirement yesterday at the ‘UFC On FOX 6’ press conference and revealed he’s taken up a new job within the company.
The former two-time UFC welterweight champion has long been considered by Dana White to be one of the fighters who helped build the sport and as such has now rewarded him with a role as the UFC’s Vice President of Athlete Development and Government Relations.
One of the key duties will be to oversee the UFC’s new Fighter Code Of Conduct which was also announced yesterday.
“The role of that person first and foremost was to be a mentor,” Zuffa COO Lawrence Esptein explains. “To keep guys out of trouble and keep them from making mistakes that could affect both their career and could tarnish image of mixed martial arts and the UFC. We took a look at our roster of athletes and in particular those who built the sport, which is what Matt has done. We also took a look at the record of thos individuals, and I think Matt Hughes’ record, not just as a fighter but as an individual, is second to none.”
Below you can find a full interview with Hughes in which he talks more about his retirement and his new role within the company.
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