Matt Hughes Releases Statement On Domestic Violence Allegations

Earlier this week, some concerning domestic violence allegations surfaced against former welterweight champion Matt Hughes.

Hughes was accused of choking his wife Audra in 2017 and then hitting her in front of family last December. Also in 2018, Hughes allegedly became violent with his twin brother Mark. The two supposedly had a disagreement over the ownership of a tractor. Hughes allegedly grabbed and shook Mark’s 15-year-old son upon seeing him using the tractor. Reports stated he also poured gasoline on it so no one could use it anymore.

Hughes reportedly became violent after recovering from a serious brain injury after he was hit by a train in 2017. In the incident with his wife, she refused to give him his car keys. Audra said Hughes choked her while screaming, “This is what choking is!”

In July 2018, Hughes allegedly told his wife, “I’m going to f–king shoot you,” She had taken his phone and accused him of texting other women. His family obtained restraining orders to prevent further violence from the MMA great. It’s a mess to say the least, but Hughes has finally addressed the allegations.

Hughes’ Statement

He released a lengthy statement on Instagram asking for forgiveness as he’s had to relearn everything. With that said, he claimed he would still never hurt his family and denied the allegations:

“Since my train accident in June of 2017, my life has been changed forever. 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, and 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.”