Matt Hughes is a 48 years old American retired mixed martial artist with a background in wrestling who survived a traumatic brain injury through an accident he met in 2017.
Born on the 13th of October 1973, the former athlete is a two-time UFC Welterweight Champion, UFC, and NJCAA Hall of Fame inductee; moreover, he is considered one of the greatest fighters in the history of MMA.
Matt Hughes Illness: What Happened?
Hughes suffered a severe head injury after his truck got hit by a train at a rail crossing near his home in Montgomery County, Illinois, on the 16th of June 2017.
Matt was unconscious and unresponsive, although he had no broken bones or internal injuries as per the statement released by his family on the 18th of June. However, he got medically induced into a coma for 19 days as he suffered a Grade 3 diffuse axonal injury (a brain bleed).
Furthermore, the retired MMA fighter suffered progressive and permanent damage to his brain and body; his legs didn’t work like they used to. However, he has been receiving therapy since the incident happened to go back to living everyday life with his family and friends.
Matt Hughes Health Update In 2022
Hughes has been receiving physical therapy three times a week and cognitive treatment twice a week; the athlete has re-learned how to walk, talk and function normally.
Matt went through a miraculous recovery after the tragic accident that almost took his life; however, he overcame people’s worst nightmares. Furthermore, he is going through rehab (reactive coordination and strength work) to restore his body functioning smoothly.
The retired MMA fighter uses his social media platforms to keep his well-wishers updated on his conditions; you can follow his recovery journey at @matthughes9x. The former athlete has made 287 posts on his verified account and accumulated 200k followers as of the 16th of June 2022.
Does Matt Hughes Suffer Brain Damage?
Matt is a traumatic brain injury survivor and is still getting treated to recover from the damage he suffered from the accident; he is receiving treatments from APEX Brain Centers.
After suffering the worst brain injury, the fighter underwent many changes in his head and body; his words still stutter when he speaks, but it has significantly improved.
Hughes has shared that getting his left leg and foot to cooperate the way he wants is one of the biggest challenges since the incident; his brain injury has affected his physical ability to walk, stand, balance, coordinate, and gait.
The former athlete also uses laser therapies to decrease inflammation, accelerate nerve healing, increase energy production, and activate specific brain areas. Furthermore, he is learning fast, and his brain cells are communicating more effectively; he has overcome many other damages and shared his result on social media.
What’s Wrong With Matt Hughes? Did He Got Paralyzed From The Accident?
No, Hughes did not get paralyzed, but he survived a traumatic brain injury which has made it difficult for his body to function correctly; however, through rehab and therapies, he is getting better.
Ever since he met with the accident, his world has turned upside down, but he never gave up on getting back on his feet and is still doing his best to recover from the damage.
Furthermore, the retired MMA fighter seems to have sued Norfolk Southern Railway and its employees for the 2017 train crash for their negligence in failing to warn motorists of dangerous conditions at the railroad, which caused the accident while driving lawfully.
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