Matt Hughes: 'Right Now It Looks Like I'm Fully Retired'

The former welterweight kingpin, Matt Hughes, hasn't been in the Octagon since suffering a knockout loss to Josh Koscheck at UFC 135 over a year ago. After that fight, he said that he would essentially be putting himself on the shelf for an undetermined amount of time.

Now, it seems that Hughes has finally officially retired—kind of. In an interview with Iowa's Daily Gate, Hughes said,

"

I’ve not announced my retirement, but right now it looks like I’m fully retired. The UFC still treats me well so I can be retired. It’s just funny, when God puts you on a road, you don’t know where you are going. I have all the faith that he put me there, and I have to thank him from that.

"

That sure sounds like a retirement statement, and if Hughes never makes a return to the cage, he will finish his career with a record of 45-9, as a two-time welterweight champion with seven combined title defenses and wins over some of the greatest fighters in MMA history.

Although retired, Hughes will still have plenty to do, as he talked about a hunting show and helping his brother with the family farm.

"

I’ve got a hunting show, which I love, on The Outdoor Channel. I’ll stay with the hunting show. I like to travel. I like to hunt, so that suits me well, I’m helping my brother with the family farm. Right now, he is in the combine cutting beans. I still am very close to the family farm.

"

Here's wishing the best to Matt Hughes, in or out of the cage.

Tim McTiernan is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. For the latest news on everything MMA, follow him on Twitter @TimMcTiernan.