This story was updated at 9 PM EST.
UFC Hall of Famer and former welterweight champion Matt Hughes, one of the first UFC stars made by television in 2005, is at a Springfield, IL, hospital following an accident Friday morning.
The story broke earlier Friday when Dana White gave details to ESPN.
According to police, the accident took place in Raymond, IL, where Hughes, driving a pickup truck, crossed railroad tracks and moved directly in front of an oncoming train. Hughes was transported to HSHS St. John’s Hospital by airlift.
Hughes, 43, a two-time UFC welterweight champion who worked as an office liaison to the fighters until recently, was, according to White, believed to have suffered head trauma in the accident. White said that the accident took place when Hughes was helping out a friend.
The issue is serious enough that White canceled a trip to Paris for a public appearance.
Hughes, a two-time All-American wrestler at Eastern Illinois University, fought from 1998 to 2011, ending his career with a 45-9 record. He was best known for his fights with Georges St-Pierre, B.J. Penn, and Royce Gracie, as well as for the finish of his second fight with Frank Trigg, which is played in an in-arena video montage at almost every live UFC event.
Following his recent release from UFC after his position was eliminated, Hughes had expressed interest in a comeback with Bellator.
The hospital made a statement on Facebook:
“Former UFC fighter and Hillsboro native Matt Hughes was airlifted to HSHS St. John’s Hospital in the noon hour on Friday, June 16, 2017. The HSHS St. John’s Regional Trauma Team stabilized him and continues to help him in his recovery.
Hughes’ family asks that you respect their privacy during this difficult time. They ask that you keep Matt in your thoughts and prayers.”