We're still behind you, Matt: ALWAYS

[SpiritWarrior]

Matt, win or lose you'll always be a true champion. I'd really like to see you fight again and go out with a win, but whatever you decide I'll support you 100%. God bless.

[amills]

I dont really follow any other atheletes or celebreties at all. There is a reason I check matt's forum twice a day. Matt, you earned my respect a long time a go with how you carry yourself, treat your fans, and honor your family. The outcome of any fight really doesn't change any of that. I've lost plenty and it hurts, but when you have Christ and family and friends that love you then you are as rich as a man can be. Head up Matt and thanks for being a true champion, one we can respect after a win or a loss.

great thread ... matt you are a champ always and hall of famer .. you looked great in the fight!!! whatever you do, i will always be a fan ...

I watched the fight at the sports bar inside Ameristar casino in St. Louis. It was FILLED with people cheering for Matt! When he got caught, there was a collective "Noooo!"
After each of the fights, everyone was talking so loud you really couldn't hear the post-fight interviews--they talked through Kos, but there was almost total silence so that everyone could listen to Matt. Tons of respect there.
Everyone's right--Matt looked awesome for 4 1/2 minutes of that round--I was SO pumped up seeing that stand up! My heart broke at the end of the round.
If Matt fights til he's 70, I'll watch and cheer for every darn one of those fights. If he stays "on the shelf", I'll watch his videos over and over, knowing a greater champion never walked into the octagon.

Still the greatest Champ in any division, no doubt about it. I wish Josh well, but he will never be in the same league, win or no win.

[TENNESSEAN]

Originally Posted by Primadawn

I watched the fight at the sports bar inside Ameristar casino in St. Louis. It was FILLED with people cheering for Matt! When he got caught, there was a collective "Noooo!"
After each of the fights, everyone was talking so loud you really couldn't hear the post-fight interviews--they talked through Kos, but there was almost total silence so that everyone could listen to Matt. Tons of respect there.
Everyone's right--Matt looked awesome for 4 1/2 minutes of that round--I was SO pumped up seeing that stand up! My heart broke at the end of the round.
If Matt fights til he's 70, I'll watch and cheer for every darn one of those fights. If he stays "on the shelf", I'll watch his videos over and over, knowing a greater champion never walked into the octagon.

I watched from a bar in Savannah GA and it was the same way. There were about 200 people there having a very good time. Every one was pulling for Matt after the fight was over it was silent. Everyone listened to what matt had to say and you only hear quite chatter, "Matt the best ww ever" "GOAT" "class act" it was cool to see that many people with nothing but respect for him. As always it feels good to be a Hughes fan.

Matt you are awesome in so many ways. I support any decision you make but I really want you to keep fighting. If it weren't for you I don't believe I would have even become a fight fan. I don't believe I would have talked so openly to strangers on the forum about God. You bring so much goodness to the sport and even to the fans. We need more fighters like you. Kos was not winning the fight. Please remember that. He didn't school you and I believe the only reason he was respectful to you after the fight was because he didn't want you to ask for a rematch. He knows he was lucky and would be scared to fight you again.

You and the world already knows how much respect I have for you. Your always the owner of my MMA heart..