Ranking the 5 Best Submissions of Matt Hughes' UFC Career

Matt Hughes will enter UFC 135 as one of the most established fighters of all time. He is a nine time UFC Welterweight Champion and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.

Over the course of his mixed martial arts career, Hughes has fought an amazing 53 times, winning 45 of them.

Hughes has defined toughness since entering the UFC in September of 1999. His work ethic, time and dedication to a sport that he so greatly loves has catapulted him into a class of his own.

Over the years Hughes has produced some of the greatest fights in UFC history. We've seen him put an end to his opponent by knockout and we've seen him go the distance.

But what makes Hughes one of the greatest of all time is his ability to submit his opponent? Of his 45 career victories, 18 of them have come by submission.

The following slides display the five greatest submission victories of Matt Hughes' career.

Let's take a look...

5. UFC 117 vs. Ricardo Almeida

Hughes entered UFC 117 looking to win his third straight fight and essentially work his way back to another title fight.

His opponent, Ricardo Almeida, who was already on a three fight win streak, was no match for Hughes. Hughes landed 10 blows in a matter of two minutes putting Almeida to the ground.

With just 1:45 remaining the first round of action, Hughes successfully put Almeida in an Anaconda Choke that would eventually put him to sleep.

Hughes went on to win Submission of the Night.

4. UFC 52 vs. Frank Trigg

Matt Hughes entered UFC 52 coming off arguably the greatest win of his career against George St. Pierre at UFC 50.

Hughes had won the Welterweight Championship and looked to defend his title against Frank Trigg.

The two squared off evenly half way through the first round of action. Trigg attempted to submit Hughes but failed as Hughes took advantage.

With just 55 seconds remaining in the first round, Hughes submitted Trigg by Rear Naked Choke to remain the UFC Welterweight Champion.

Hughes went on to win Submission of the Night.

3. UFC 56 vs. Joe Riggs

Hughes entered UFC 56 on the top of his career and the Welterweight Division. He was coming off two consecutive submission victories and two straight Submission of the Night awards.

His opponent was Joe Riggs who failed to make weight in what was suppose to be a title fight.

None the less, Hughes was prepared for battle and dominated action early. Riggs landed just one strike to Hughes before he was taken down.

Hughes ended the fight just 3:26 into the first round by Kimura Submission.

Hughes went on to win his third straight fight by submission and third consecutive Submission of the Night award.

2. UFC 45 vs. Frank Trigg

UFC 45 was the first time these two fighters met before Hughes went on to submit Trigg at UFC 52.

It was the first UFC Welterweight Championship opportunity of Trigg's career as action went underway in a sold out Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Although Trigg actually took Hughes down and attempted to submit him early in the fight, he was unsuccessful. The momentum shifted as Hughes landed a take down on Trigg.

With just a little over a minute remaining in Round 1, Hughes wrapped himself on Trigg's back and tapped him out via Rear Naked Choke to remain the UFC Welterweight Champion.

It was Hughes' 13th straight victory and once again was awarded Submission of the Night.

1. UFC 50 vs. George St-Pierre

Hughes entered UFC 50 in what would go down as one of the greatest fights of his career. It was his first title shot after being defeated by B.J. Penn at UFC 46 and Hughes was determined to get on top of the Welterweight Division

In one of the most anticipated matches in UFC history, St-Pierre and Hughes exchanged strikes early, giving St-Pierre the slight advantage.

St. Pierre took Hughes down but failed to capitalize on the opportunity. Hughes answered back and took St-Pierre down late in the first round.

Time was quickly running off the clock as Hughes successfully put St-Pierre in an Armbar. With just one second remaining in the first round, Hughes submitted St-Pierre and recaptured his Welterweight Championship.

It was the greatest submission of Hughes' career and earned him another Submission of the Night award.