Matt Hughes has denied what he calls “false accusations” that have surfaced after his wife and brother reportedly filed separate restraining orders against the former Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight king.
“Since my train accident in June of 2017, my life has been changed forever. Some days have been absolute hell,” Hughes wrote on Instagram. “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. I feel awful that my accident turned their world upside-down also.”
Hughes’ wife, Audra, alleged that her husband attacked her in the shower last year when she refused to give him the keys to his truck. She also accused Hughes of threatening to shoot her and hitting her in front of their family after she confronted him about being in contact with “multiple women.” His twin brother, Mark Hughes, filed a separate restraining order against his sibling for allegedly getting violent in a dispute over the ownership of a tractor. Mark claims that Hughes grabbed and shook his son and later attempted to destroy the tractor by dousing it with gasoline.
Hughes was injured in June 2017 when his truck was hit by a train while crossing railroad tracks. The UFC Hall of Famer suffered a brain injury in the accident but has made an impressive recovery considering the circumstances.
“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,” Hughes wrote.
“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.”
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A post shared by Matt Hughes (@matthughes9x) on Feb 27, 2019 at 2:53pm PST