Sam Hughes (fighter)

Hughes grew up with three older brothers in South Carolina, where she also ran track in high school. At Wofford College for her undergraduate studies in accounting and finance, she ran track and field and cross country at NCAA Division I level. She continued competing in track when she made the move to the University of South Carolina to pursue her masters in Sports Management. But after graduation, Hughes took a job in the finance world, which took her to Seattle.{{Cite web|title=LFA 85's Sam Hughes: On the 'Sampage'|url=https://combatpress.com/2020/07/lfa-85s-sam-hughes-on-the-sampage/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Combat Press|language=en-US}} A friend invited her to Catalyst Fight House, in Everett, Washington and Hughes embarked on her amateur career in 2016 after a few months training at Catalyst. Hughes turned pro in 2019, due to her last amateur opponent, Melanie McIntyre, who after losing to Hughes, wanted a rematch as a pro. However, McIntyre pulled out of the fight and Hughes wound up making her debut a month later.{{Cite web|last=Anderson|first=Jay|date=2021-01-17|title=UFC Strawweight Sam Hughes: From the Track to the Cage|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/01/17/ufc-sam-hughes-interview/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}

Making her MMA debut at COGA 62 Supreme Showdown 4, she defeated Kayla Frajman via rear-naked choke in the first round. Hughes would collect two more stoppage victories, one by second round TKO and the other by first round armbar submission.{{Cite web|date=2020-05-21|title=Across the Pond Profile: Legacy Fighting Alliance fighter Sam Hughes {{!}} MMA UK|url=http://mmauk.net/2020/05/21/across-the-pond-profile-legacy-fighting-alliance-fighter-sam-hughes/|access-date=2021-10-05|language=en-GB}}

In her debut fight for Legacy Fighting Alliance at LFA 81, she took on Lisa Mauldin and defeated her via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|title=LFA 81 Results: Emmers Submits Barbosa|url=https://combatpress.com/2020/01/lfa-81-emmers-vs-barbosa-results/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Combat Press|language=en-US}}

Hughes faced Vanessa Demopoulos for the inaugural LFA Women's Strawweight Championship on July 17, 2020 at LFA 85. She lost the bout after being choked unconscious in the 4th round via inverted triangle choke.{{Cite web|last=Sherdog.com|title=Crystal Vanessa Demopoulos Inverted Triangle Chokes Sam Hughes Unconscious at LFA 85|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Crystal-Vanessa-Demopoulos-Inverted-Triangle-Chokes-Sam-Hughes-Unconscious-at-LFA-85-174033|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Sherdog}}{{Cite web|last=Staff|date=2020-07-18|title=LFA 85 Results: Vanessa Demopoulos Claims Title in Style|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/07/18/lfa-85-hughes-vs-demopoulos-results/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}

Hughes faced Danielle Hindley on October 16, 202 at LFA 93. She won the bout, chocking Hindley unconscious via guillotine choke at the end of the first round.{{Cite web|last=Dawson|first=Alan|title=A female MMA fighter scored a buzzer-beating guillotine choke which sent her opponent to sleep in the final second of the 1st round|url=https://www.insider.com/video-sam-hughes-sent-opponent-to-sleep-in-final-second-2020-10|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Insider|language=en-US}}

Replacing Angela Hill who tested positive for COVID-19, Hughes signed with the UFC and faced Tecia Torres.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/12/ufc-256-angela-hill-positive-covid-19-test-tecia-torres-rematch|title=Angela Hill announces positive COVID-19 test, out of Tecia Torres rematch at UFC 256|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Mike Bohn|date=2020-12-06|access-date=2020-12-07}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/12/8/22163636/tecia-torres-will-now-face-lfa-standout-sam-hughes-at-ufc-256|title=Tecia Torres will now face LFA standout Sam Hughes at UFC 256|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Alexander K. Lee and Damon Martin|date=2020-12-08|access-date=2020-12-08}} She lost the fight via doctor stoppage between round one and two after saying she couldn't see out of one of her eyes.{{Cite web|title=UFC 256 Results: Tecia Torres Lights Up Newcomer Sam Hughes|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/12/12/ufc-256-results-tecia-torres-vs-sam-hughes/|website=cagesidepress|author=Jay Anderson|date=2020-12-12|access-date=2020-12-12}}

Hughes, as a replacement for Hannah Cifers, was expected to face Emily Whitmire on February 27, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gane.{{Cite web|author=Mike Heck and Steven Marrocco|date=2021-02-03|title=With Hannah Cifers out, Emily Whitmire now expected to face Sam Hughes at UFC Vegas 20|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/2/3/22264945/with-hannah-cifers-out-emily-whitmire-now-expected-to-face-sam-hughes-at-ufc-vegas-20|access-date=2021-02-03|publisher=mmafighting.com}} Whitmire was removed from the bout on February 14 due to undisclosed reasons,{{Cite web|author=Danny Segura|date=2021-02-14|title=Sam Hughes vs. Emily Whitmire off UFC Fight Night 186|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/sam-hughes-vs-emily-whitmire-off-ufc-fight-night-186-booking-women-mma|access-date=2021-02-14|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com}} and the bout was cancelled.{{Cite web|date=2021-02-14|title=Sam Hughes vs. Emily Whitmire off UFC Fight Night 186|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/sam-hughes-vs-emily-whitmire-off-ufc-fight-night-186-booking-women-mma|access-date=2021-02-15|website=MMA Junkie|language=en-US}}

Hughes faced Loma Lookboonmee on May 1, 2021 at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka.{{Cite web|author=Marcel Dorff|date=2021-02-17|title=Loma Lookboonmee vs. Sam Hughes toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 1 mei|url=https://mmadna.nl/loma-lookboonmee-vs-sam-hughes-toegevoegd-aan-ufc-evenement-op-1-mei/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=MMA DNA|language=nl}}{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX58TNs7qpg|title=Loma Lookboonmee to turn up aggression against Sam Hughes|date=April 6, 2021|work=South China Morning Post|via=YouTube}} She lost the bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|last=Evanoff|first=Josh|date=2021-05-01|title=UFC Vegas 25 Results: Loma Lookboonmee Outlasts Sam Hughes|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/05/01/ufc-vegas-25-results-loma-lookboonmee/|access-date=2021-05-02|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}

Hughes was scheduled to face Lupita Godinez on October 9, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez.{{Cite web|last=Heck|first=Mike|date=2021-06-26|title=Lupita Godinez vs. Sam Hughes set for UFC event on Oct. 9|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/6/26/22551291/lupita-godinez-vs-sam-hughes-set-for-ufc-event-on-oct-9|access-date=2021-10-05|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}} However, Hughes was pulled from the bout for testing positive of Covid-19 and she was replaced by newcomer Silvana Gomez Juarez.{{Cite web|last=ATSteveDuncan|date=2021-10-06|title=Hughes fuera, Silvana Gomez Juarez enfrenta a Lupita Godinez en UFC Vegas 39|url=https://mma.uno/hughes-fuera-silvana-gomez-juarez-enfrenta-a-lupita-godinez-en-ufc-vegas-39/|access-date=2021-10-06|website=MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español.|language=es}}

Hughes, as a replacement for Jessica Penne, faced Luana Pinheiro on November 20, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate.{{Cite web|author=Nolan King|date=2021-11-10|title=With Jessica Penne out, Sam Hughes steps in against Luana Pinheiro at UFC Fight Night 198|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/11/ufc-fight-night-198-jessica-penne-out-sam-hughes-vs-luana-pinheiro|access-date=2021-11-11|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com}} {{in lang|pt}} She lost the bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|last=Behunin|first=Alex|date=2021-11-20|title=UFC Vegas 43: Luana Pinheiro Defeats Sam Hughes Via Unanimous Decision|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/11/20/ufc-vegas-43-sam-hughes-vs-luana-pinheiro/|access-date=2021-11-21|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}

Hughes faced Istela Nunes at UFC on ESPN 34 on April 16, 2022.{{Cite web|date=2022-02-22|title=Istela Nunes enfrenta Sam Hughes em abril e busca a primeira vitória no UFC|url=https://www.superlutas.com.br/noticias/178906/istela-nunes-enfrenta-sam-hughes-em-abril-e-busca-a-primeira-vitoria-no-ufc/|access-date=2022-02-25|website=SUPER LUTAS|language=pt-BR}} She won the fight via majority decision.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2022-04-16 |title=UFC Vegas 51: Strong Second Half Leads to First Win for Sam Hughes, Over Istela Nunes |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/04/16/ufc-vegas-51-istela-nunes-vs-sam-hughes/ |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}} The bout marked the last of her prevailing contract.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLELNBmGFFw|title=Sam Hughes talks UFC victory after move to Fortis MMA, details toxic environment with former team|date=April 19, 2022|via=YouTube|author=John Hyon Ko}}

Hughes faced Elise Reed at UFC Fight Night 206 on May 21, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Behunin |first=Alex |date=2022-05-03|title=Sam Hughes vs. Elise Reed Added To UFC Vegas 55 on May 21|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/05/03/sam-hughes-vs-elise-reed-set-added-ufc-fight-night-holm-vs-vieira/|access-date=2022-05-03 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}} She won the fight via technical knockout in round three.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2022-05-21 |title=UFC Vegas 55: Sam Hughes Puts On Best Performance to Date Against Elise Reed |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/05/21/ufc-vegas-55-elise-reed-vs-sam-hughes/ |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Hughes faced Piera Rodríguez on October 15, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 212.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-08 |title=Piera Rodriguez vs. Sam Hughes agregado a UFC Fight Night del 15 de octubre - MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. |url=https://mma.uno/piera-rodriguez-vs-sam-hughes-agregado-a-ufc-fight-night-del-15-de-octubre/ |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=mma.uno |language=es}} She lost the bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2022-10-15 |title=UFC Vegas 62: Piera Rodríguez Takes Decision Win In Super Close Fight with Sam Hughes |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/10/15/ufc-vegas-62-sam-hughes-vs-piera-rodriguez/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Hughes faced Jacqueline Amorim on April 8, 2023, at UFC 287.{{Cite web |last=Raghuwanshi |first=Vipin |date=2023-02-10 |title=Jaqueline Amorim set for debut at UFC 287 against Sam Hughes |url=https://www.itnwwe.com/mma/jaqueline-amorim-debut-ufc-287-sam-hughes/ |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=www.itnwwe.com |language=en-US}} She won the fight by unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Bitter |first=Shawn |date=2023-04-08 |title=UFC 287: Sam Hughes Rains on Parade of Debuting Jaqueline Amorim |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/04/08/ufc-287-jaqueline-amorim-vs-sam-hughes/ |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Hughes faced Yazmin Jauregui on February 24, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 237.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-22 |title=Yazmin Jauregui vs. Sam Hughes set for UFC's February return to Mexico City |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/12/ufc-mexico-city-yazmin-jauregui-vs-sam-hughes-women-mma-fight-night-booking-matchup-announcement |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} She lost the bout by unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Anderson|first=Jay |date=2024-02-24 |title=UFC Mexico City: Yazmin Jauregui Cruises Past Sam Hughes |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/02/24/ufc-mexico-city-yazmin-jauregui-cruises-past-sam-hughes/|access-date=2024-02-24|website=www.cagesidepress.com |language=en-US}}

Hughes faced Victoria Dudakova on August 3, 2024 at UFC on ABC 7.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-05 |title=UFC adds Azat Maksum vs. CJ Vergara to Abu Dhabi fight card |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/06/ufc-news-azat-maksum-vs-cj-vergara-abu-dhabi-fight-card |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} She won the fight by split decision.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/08/03/ufc-abu-dhabi-sam-hughes-hands-viktoria-dudakova-first-ever-loss/|title=UFC Abu Dhabi: ‘Sampage’ Hughes Hands Viktoria Dudakova First-Ever Loss|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Val Dewar|date=2024-08-03|access-date=2024-08-03}}

Hughes faced Stephanie Luciano on March 15, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 254.{{Cite web|title=UFC encaminha Stephanie Rondinha vs Sam Hughes para março, em Las Vegas|url=https://agfight.com/ufc/ufc-encaminha-stephanie-rondinha-vs-sam-hughes-para-marco-em-las-vegas/|date=2025-01-03|access-date=2025-01-03|publisher=agfight.com|author=Gaspar Bruno|language=pt-br}} She won the fight by split decision.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/15/ufc-vegas-104-sam-hughes-earns-node-in-close-fight-with-stephanie-luciano/|title=UFC Vegas 104: Sam Hughes Earns Nod in Close Fight with Stephanie Luciano|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Jay Anderson|date=2025-03-15|access-date=2025-03-15}}

{{MMArecordbox

| draws=

| nc=

| ko-wins= 2

| sub-wins= 3

| dec-wins= 5

| ko-losses= 1

| sub-losses= 1

| dec-losses= 4

| dq-wins=

| dq-losses=

| other-wins=

| other-losses=

}}

{{MMA record start}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|10–6

|Stephanie Luciano

|Decision (split)

|UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze 2

|{{dts|2025|March|15}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|9–6

|Victoria Dudakova

|Decision (split)

|UFC on ABC: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov

|{{dts|2024|August|3}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|8–6

|Yazmin Jauregui

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2

|{{dts|2024|February|24}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Mexico City, Mexico

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|8–5

|Jaqueline Amorim

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 287

|{{dts|2023|April|8}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Miami, Florida, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|7–5

|Piera Rodríguez

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Araújo

|{{dts|2022|October|15}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|7–4

|Elise Reed

|TKO (elbow and punches)

|UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Vieira

|{{dts|2022|May|21}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|3:52

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|6–4

|Istela Nunes

|Decision (majority)

|UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2

|{{dts|2022|April|16}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|{{small|Nunes was deducted one point in round 3 due to an eye poke.}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|5–4

|Luana Pinheiro

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate

|{{dts|2021|November|20}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center|5–3

| Loma Lookboonmee

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka

|{{dts|2021|May|1}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center|5–2

| Tecia Torres

|TKO (doctor stoppage)

|UFC 256

|{{dts|2020|December|12}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 5–1

|Danielle Hindley

|Technical Submission (guillotine choke)

|LFA 93

|{{dts|2020|October|16}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|5:00

|Park City, Kansas, United States

|{{small|Catchweight (120 lb) bout.}}

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center|4–1

|Vanessa Demopoulos

| Technical Submission (inverted triangle choke)

| LFA 85

| {{dts|2020|July|17}}

| align=center| 4

| align=center| 2:21

| Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States

| {{small|Strawweight debut. For the inaugural LFA Women's Strawweight Championship.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 4–0

| Lisa Mauldin

|Decision (unanimous)

|LFA 81

|{{dts|2020|January|31}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

|Costa Mesa, California, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center|3–0

| Bethany Christensen

|Submission (armbar)

|Battle at the Bay 15

|{{dts|2019.10.19}}

| align=center|1

| align=center|0:52

|Anacortes, Washington, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 2–0

| Loren Benjar

| TKO (knee to the body and punches)

|Xtreme Knockout 46

|{{dts|2019.07.13}}

| align=center|2

| align=center|1:30

|Dallas, Texas, United States

|{{small|Flyweight debut.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center|1–0

| Kyla Frajman

| Submission (rear-naked choke)

|Combat Games 62

|{{dts|2019.02.23}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:35

|Tulalip, Washington, United States

| {{small|Bantamweight debut.}}

{{end}}

{{Cite web|last=Sherdog.com|title=Sam Hughes|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Sam-Hughes-231521|website=Sherdog}}

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of female mixed martial artists

{{reflist}}

• {{Sherdog|231521}}
• {{UFC|sam-hughes}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hughes, Sam}}

Category:1992 births

Category:Living people

Category:American female mixed martial artists

Category:Strawweight mixed martial artists

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship female fighters

Category:American female Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners

Category:South Carolina Gamecocks women's track and field athletes

Category:Wofford Terriers women's track and field athletes

Category:21st-century American sportswomen