UFC hall-of-famer Matt Hughes has issued a statement just days after it was revealed that both his wife and his brother have restraining orders against him.
A report from TMZ indicated that his wife filed one after multiple incidents of domestic violence, while his twin brother Mark also did so after the former UFC welterweight champion attacked his 15-year-old son.
In his statement Hughes denies any physical violence against his family and instead seeks to suggest that they are trying to distance themselves from him during to the traumatic brain injury he suffered in 2017 that changed his life forever.
“Since my train accident in June of 2017, my life has been changed forever,” Hughes wrote on Instagram. “Some days have been absolute hell. The challenges and battles that I have faced have been far greater than anything I ever took on in a cage. I am not the same person since my accident, even though, everyday I continue to try to be as normal as someone with a brain injury can be. I understand that it is not fun to teach a grown man to learn to do everything all over again. I understand that I am a burden to those around me. I understand that I am an inconvenience to my family. Unfortunately, my marriage was not perfect long before the accident, but NEVER, NEVER, NEVER would I, or have I, physically hurt those who I care about most. I do not resent those who are trying to hurt me and paint me out to be a monster through these false accusations. I understand now that they are just doing what they need to do in order to rid me of their lives forever so theirs can return to normalcy. I feel awful that my accident turned their world upside-down also. To those of you who have helped me, supported me, cared for me, and prayed for me- I truly cannot thank you enough. To my supporters who defended me and never believed these untrue, disgraceful reports for a second- thank you. If there is one silver lining that this accident has revealed, it is the ability to see who my true friends are. To know who are faithful and have never given up on me even when I am at my lowest. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I do not know where I would be without you. Please keep the prayers coming. God knows I need them.”
