Seeking Matt Hughes

by Kid Nate on Nov 7, 2008 3:46 PM EST in News Comment 57 comments

A Bloody Elbow community member has posted what appears to be a photograph of Matt Hughes holding a t-shirt that is apparently linked to a white supremacist organization.

We are currently trying to contact Matt Hughes' via his website and management team so he can be given a chance to explain his side of the story.

These are very serious allegations. Matt deserves a chance to speak for himself.

UPDATE [from Luke Thomas]: Matt Hughes' webmaster says this is not a big deal:

This photo was taken on April 5th, 2008, when Matt did an appearance at Dale’s Harley-Davidson, in Mt. Vernon, IL. I run Matt’s website and I was there taking pictures of the event. This photo was from early on in the day and some guy brought the shirt to Matt, asked him to sign it and take a picture with it. Matt was on his way to the autograph table, so he signed it and took the picture on the move and I doubt he even looked at the shirt any longer than it took to find a blank space to sign his name. The only reason I remember it so well was I noticed the "SS" symbol and thought to myself, "Uh-oh, this could be a problem." It was a busy day, so I never brought it up and it seemed like such a small issue as the months went by.

Again, Matt has absolutely no affiliation with this group, he was just asked by a fan to sign the shirt and take the photo and he did. Matt has no connections whatsoever with white supremacist groups.

For more photos from that event, you can see his blog entry about it below:
http://www.matt-hughes.com/blog/2008/04/07/dales-harley-davidson/

He’s clearly wearing the same shirt in this photo as he was at that event. If you want to confirm my identity, you can email me at nathan@matt-hughes.com

Nathan Rosario
Webmaster, Matt-Hughes.com

Thanks for the explanation, Nathan, but the racist website is still using Matt's likeness. Surely he wants that removed.

UPDATE 2 [by Luke Thomas]: And that's exactly what they intend to do:

We are also aware that the photo is being used by this group on their website as an endorsement of this shirt. We are trying to contact them to remove it immediately and if they do not comply then we will pursue legal action against them.

Not only do we completely disagree with everything they stand for, but this "endorsement" was not obtained in a legal manner, because they are using Matt’s image without permission.

Nathan Rosario
Webmaster, Matt-Hughes.com

I'm not going to toot the horn of anyone or anything anyone here did necessarily, but I think it's overall better this was brought to attention. Hughes is now able to get his image removed from the site and set the record straight. That's always a plus.

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Comments

The serious allegation here is that someone handed him a white power t-shirt, and he (probably not knowing what the hell it was) posed with it like a good celebrity at some sort of public function?

by toxic on Nov 7, 2008 3:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

.. I don’t think we have any idea what the context is. The allegation is that he’s standing there holding it as if he’s endorsing it. It could be a mistake (like your scenario) or because he’s a card-carrying member. Hence the suggestion of getting in touch with him and getting his side of the story.

by Kierkegaard on Nov 7, 2008 3:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

that’s the explanation I lean to as well, which is why I want to give Matt a chance to come out and say it himself. But if the associations are more serious, I want to know that too.

by Kid Nate on Nov 7, 2008 4:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"White Boy Society" Gang Shirt

I dug around online – the shirt is for the “White Boy Society” biker gang. Their website is full of stuff about “white genocide” and how to protect yourself against the “black menace”, including links to guns, instruction manuals, and other questionable content. I won’t link to the site so the don’t get any hits from BE, but a simple search found them.

This doesn’t prove anything! It just confirms the origin of the shirt, not whether Hughes is associated with them.

Of note, the original poster (indie#1), has only 1 post to his name after joining today, which doesn’t suggest credibility.

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by themachiavellian on Nov 7, 2008 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

People:

NO ONE IS IMPLICATING MATT HUGHES IN ANYTHING. THIS IS A FACT FINDING MISSION.

It’s EXTREMELY plausible some dumbass asked Hughes to hold up a shirt. But if you go to the racists’ website, you’ll notice they are using his likeness. If he didn’t grant consent, they can and will likely be sued.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 7, 2008 4:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, I think “indie#1” was implicating Hughes in his Fanpost — at least the part before the picture seems to suggest as much.

by Kierkegaard on Nov 7, 2008 4:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Which is why we didn’t promote it to the front page. I should say no one at BE is implicating him.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 7, 2008 4:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope I didn’t imply that it was his or anything…mea culpa if I did. I was just trying to provide facts.

If he’s innocent, I hope he sues them into bankruptcy.

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by themachiavellian on Nov 7, 2008 4:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It would be NEWS if someone could offer proof that Hughes wasn’t a supremacist.

I told you I can't build your candy house! It will fall apart, the sun will melt the candy, it won't work!

by mma_dude on Nov 7, 2008 3:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Why am I suppose to care about this? I care about Matt Hughes fighting not what kind of shirt he wears.

by Yasnian on Nov 7, 2008 3:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If a former UFC champ is associated with these organizations, we’ll all care because it will make it that much harder to see the sport we love.

by Kid Nate on Nov 7, 2008 4:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Semi agree but

do any of us really believe that there is not one racist former or current fighter in the UFC, or in just about any organization in the country? Remember, racists are all colors as well.

by dnevil001 on Nov 7, 2008 4:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That misses the point by a mile.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 7, 2008 4:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Why is this posited? It is totally irresponsible to post this here, never mind the main page. This is exactly the kind of information that I don’t want to know about. If Matt is a racist, fine whatever, you have the right to be ignorant in this country. Why is it news? It is his personal business and only puts a public black eye on MMA that it doesn’t need. One photo like this can give people the impression that this view represents a larger portion of MMA viewers and fighters and doesn’t even include any context for the photo. For what, more website hits? Come on! Responsible journalist you obviously aren’t.

by feyrerm on Nov 7, 2008 4:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If my name were Dana White, I’d want to know if it were true or not.

And if I was Matt Hughes and I wasn’t a racist and just got caught holding a stupid shirt, I’d want to know if a racist website was using my likeness to promote their gear. They can be sued for defamation for that. That’s a serious charge.

That’s why its news. It isn’t a witch hunt or an invasion into someone’s privacy. It’s a serious matter.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 7, 2008 4:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I respect you Luke, but if that was truly the motive then those folks would have been contacted first in private to get the full story before putting anything up on the page.

by feyrerm on Nov 7, 2008 4:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If there’s something controversial about noticing a photo exists (no staff member posted it), acknowledging its existence, saying nothing is confirmed about anything, and then saying we’re looking into it, then so be it.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 7, 2008 4:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s not accusatory – that’s why it’s “Seeking Matt Hughes” instead of “OMG MATT HUGHES = RACIST”

Also, by having it public, he must address the issue. Look how much influence the internet and so-called “blogosphere” have.

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by themachiavellian on Nov 7, 2008 4:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Responsible journalist you obviously aren’t.

Yeah. If I didn’t know better I’d think this is some kind of damn blog instead of a reputable “journalistic” outlet.

Oh, wait …

by Kierkegaard on Nov 7, 2008 4:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I doubt Luke looks at bloodyelbow as an unreputable source of news. And he would probably want readers to think it was reputable as well.

by feyrerm on Nov 7, 2008 4:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, this is certainly an “interesting” way of defending the situation…

by Simco on Nov 7, 2008 4:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I should have clarified. “feyerm” posted this exact comment on the “fanpost” and then copied it over here. The fanpost, which is the only place that suggest Hughes might be a racist, was basically just a fan blog post and not any kind of “journalist” reporting anything. As to the posting here on the front page, there hasn’t been any attempt at “news” posted — just the fact that this photo is out there and BE is trying to find out the story about it.

I wasn’t clear with my sarcasm — that’s my bad.

by Kierkegaard on Nov 7, 2008 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think the character of athletes has and always will be considered news in the sports world.
It isn’t a journalists responsibility to protect MMA from itself.

by Simco on Nov 7, 2008 4:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Some of us believe the truth will set us free and some of us don’t.
I believe the truth will out.
I’m not going to slander a UFC champion, but the information is already out on the web.
What do you want us to do? Delete the diary? Put our heads in the sand?

by Kid Nate on Nov 7, 2008 4:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Prejudice holds a distinct history and currency in our society, and for good reason – it justifies discrimination (i.e., behavior). It’s irresponsible journalism not to post something like this, namely because this was posted from the start by BloodyElbow staff in a way that offers Hughes an explanation for this picture (whether it be photoshopped or simply held up as a sign of endorsement without Hughes knowing).

by dmayeda on Nov 7, 2008 4:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

thanks Doc!

by Kid Nate on Nov 7, 2008 4:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The court of public opinion does not work that way. There are many here who have already decided that Matt is a racist and will never come back to get the full story. He may or he may not be, but the fact is posting this to the main page made it news that sways oppinions and did not give any other side of the story. The responsible thing to do is at least attempt to get statements before you post this.

by feyrerm on Nov 7, 2008 4:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I did attempt to get statements.
But the fan post was already up on the site. I’m not going to hide it or delete it. It’s there, people are reading it. It’s making explosive charges, there’s a photo of Hughes and the white power group site is promoting Hughes as if he supports them.

by Kid Nate on Nov 7, 2008 4:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

People already think of him as a complete redneck and quite the tool, and “racist” goes hand-in-hand with that. It probably confirms preconceived notions rather than influencing opposing views. I doubt anyone would be too surprised.

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by themachiavellian on Nov 7, 2008 4:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for making my point.

Getting the story first isn’t as important as getting it right. especially when peoples reputations are on the line.

by feyrerm on Nov 7, 2008 4:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You do realize the fanposts is not run by staff, don’t you?

by Luke Thomas on Nov 7, 2008 4:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It got posted to the main page. I’m sure that got run by the staff.

by feyrerm on Nov 7, 2008 4:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dude, I just don’t think you understand the mechanics of things.

Bloody Elbow has only reported that the FanPost exists. That’s it. We haven’t reported anything else.

And that FanPost entry DID NOT get promoted to the front page. It got a link because we are acknowledging the picture exists, WE ARE NOT AGREEING WITH THE ASSESSMENT OF THE PERSON WHO POSTED IT.

I don’t understand what’s so hard about this.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 7, 2008 4:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

From xkcd.

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by themachiavellian on Nov 7, 2008 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Im sorry, I had no idea he ran this site too.

by Slica on Nov 7, 2008 9:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

How will you get the story if you don’t talk about it? By making the picture public, his hand is forced. He has to address the rumors. It’s not hard to think some guy just gave him the shirt to sign and he got photographed. BE is also presenting it neutrally by not fanning the fires and instead saying “We’re trying to get the real story.”

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by themachiavellian on Nov 7, 2008 4:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

the story and the photo were already posted on the site

our choices were
1) ignore it and let it build
2) delete it and potentially cover up the truth
3) try to find out Hughes’ side of the story

we chose 3.

by Kid Nate on Nov 7, 2008 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I undertand where you’re coming from feyrerm. Too often audiences, readers, etc. rush to judgement after seeing something that, in this case, could very well be a simple mistake on Hughes’ part. I’m sure he and other MMA stars get asked all the time to have their picture taken and endorse uku-billion different things. And over the years MMA stars have made themselves very accessible to the public, in my opinion more so on average than other pro athletes. Hopefully this is an unfortunate and unintended outcome of such circumstances. I think what the BloodyElbow staff is doing here is holding its readership to a higher standard by saying, “Hey, this is out there, let’s get to the bottom of this. Don’t rush to conclusions, but let’s talk/write about it.”

Additionally, racial prejudice and discriination are topics most individuals and organizations don’t have the courage to raise. I admit I’m too often guilty of this. We need to be able to talk about racial divisiveness and coalescing in this country. These are not the ideal circumstances under which to begin a dialogue, but some dialogue is better than none (which tends to be the norm).

This is going to be a hot button issue. Let’s discuss this issue with mutual respect even if we disagree with the means by with it came about.

by dmayeda on Nov 7, 2008 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

thanks doc!
So flattered that you chose to participate on our site!

by Kid Nate on Nov 7, 2008 4:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

can i say i am currently reading your book now and I’m jealous because you actually have produced something similar that I want to put out. I have been contacting fighters and getting interviews and currently want to go to grad school after college in the field of sports sociology. The interviews were graciously over the phone and through myspace. While I have slowed down I desperately want to pick it back up and move my research to sticking with a camp for a year or so….Your a inspiration though! thanks!

by blackzag05 on Nov 7, 2008 4:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Check out Greg Downey’s (University of Sydney) work published in Social Studies of Science (2007) Vol. 32 No. 2, pgs. 201-226. It’s in my references section.

Also something I came across recently is an article by Maarten van Bottenburg called “De-sportization of Fighting Contests: The Origins and Dynamics of No Holds Barred Events and the Theory of Sportization” from the International Review for the Sociology of Sport. Just good stuff if you need references from peer reviewed journals.

In my opinion, Sam Sheridon’s book, “A Fighter’s Heart” is the best ethnography ever on combat sports. But if you want to do sports sociology in grad school, consider California State University, San Jose (though they may only go to the masters level). They have a small team of professors doing about 5 different studies on MMA, including an ethnography. Email me at mmacademics@yahoo.com if you want more info.

by dmayeda on Nov 7, 2008 5:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hughes will have to rethink his shit after Griffin gets beat down!

I told you I can't build your candy house! It will fall apart, the sun will melt the candy, it won't work!

by mma_dude on Nov 7, 2008 4:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I wish I could say I was surprised.

by lbk on Nov 7, 2008 4:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

how can defend the sport if stuff like this gets out. This is huge and it needs to be addressed. I just want to get his side sooner rather than later. I don’t care if he’s a racist. I care about the effects on the sport.

by blackzag05 on Nov 7, 2008 4:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Luke some people are slower than others…i can attest to that and thank you for posting that because it’s important to post because I want this sport to grow and this def. stunts it.

by blackzag05 on Nov 7, 2008 4:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I’m just surprised how people aren’t really shocked about this…

by blackzag05 on Nov 7, 2008 4:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

FightLinker Picked It Up

“A KKKodak moment”

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by themachiavellian on Nov 7, 2008 4:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wow, Matt Hughes is a racist. BIG SURPRISE!!! I don’t know Matt but i can safely say the following, Matt Hughes is a racist, a bigot, a homophobe, and a sexist misogynist. The fucker is a hillybilly from Illinois, why is this a surprise??

by Devil Beest on Nov 7, 2008 4:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Let’s just say Matt likes A LOT of cream in his coffee.

by DirtyML on Nov 7, 2008 5:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

From the comments to the fanpost:

Not a big deal.

This photo was taken on April 5th, 2008, when Matt did an appearance at Dale’s Harley-Davidson, in Mt. Vernon, IL. I run Matt’s website and I was there taking pictures of the event. This photo was from early on in the day and some guy brought the shirt to Matt, asked him to sign it and take a picture with it. Matt was on his way to the autograph table, so he signed it and took the picture on the move and I doubt he even looked at the shirt any longer than it took to find a blank space to sign his name. The only reason I remember it so well was I noticed the "SS" symbol and thought to myself, "Uh-oh, this could be a problem." It was a busy day, so I never brought it up and it seemed like such a small issue as the months went by.

Again, Matt has absolutely no affiliation with this group, he was just asked by a fan to sign the shirt and take the photo and he did. Matt has no connections whatsoever with white supremacist groups.

For more photos from that event, you can see his blog entry about it below:
http://www.matt-hughes.com/blog/2008/04/07/dales-harley-davidson/

He’s clearly wearing the same shirt in this photo as he was at that event. If you want to confirm my identity, you can email me at nathan@matt-hughes.com

Nathan Rosario
Webmaster, Matt-Hughes.com

by nathan@matt-hughes.com on Nov 7, 2008 4:00 PM CST reply reply actions actions 0 recs

by Kierkegaard on Nov 7, 2008 5:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Seems to be just bad luck, then.

It seems legit if the source is from Hughes’s website.

Now for the lawsuit against the gang…

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by themachiavellian on Nov 7, 2008 5:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Haha

The lame-o “I didn’t know what was on the shirt” excuse.

If you’re an MMA fighter and people are trying to shove things into your hands and get a picture, chances are that picture is going to end up published somewhere as a ghetto endorsement.

by smoogy on Nov 7, 2008 6:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I would bet that over 99% of pictures taken with fighters don’t end up as endorsements anywhere.

by Phildo on Nov 7, 2008 7:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think you might’ve misread what I said.

by smoogy on Nov 7, 2008 8:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bloodyelbow

Geez people..

BE Found a story
Posted it with fair commentary (unlike what most sites would have done)
Followed the comments and responded
Updated their story quickly when the admin of MH sites came on and responded
Everyones hands are clean now
They handled this fast and fair so calm down.

by banter on Nov 7, 2008 7:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Aparently this place is about as open to alternative ideas as the congress.

How will you get the story if you don’t talk about it? By making the picture public, his hand is forced. He has to address the rumors. It’s not hard to think some guy just gave him the shirt to sign and he got photographed. BE is also presenting it neutrally by not fanning the fires and instead saying "We’re trying to get the real story."

I must be old fashiond as far as news goes but I still believe that you get the full story before you publish. Appraently on the “blogosphere” you post inflamatory info and have the story blanks come to you.

I’m not going to toot the horn of anyone or anything anyone here did necessarily, but I think it’s overall better this was brought to attention. Hughes is now able to get his image removed from the site and set the record straight. That’s always a plus.

Tooting the perverbial horn seems to what getting the story is all about and I’v heard plent of that here for sure. Hughes could have had the image removed from the site, and given his take on the picture if he had been directly contacted about the story before it was published. The story here is a racest company using Matt’s endorsment without his permission, but who will really care now.

by feyrerm on Nov 7, 2008 8:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Closing comment

This was posted by someone claiming to be with the White Boy Society.

Matt Hughes is not a racist or a member or supporter of the White Boy Society. Matt Hughes autographed 3 t-shirts for us and then we asked him to stop and pose for a pic for our website which he did then was rushed away to sign more autographs. The picture was taken at Dales-Harley Davidson in Mount Vernon, IL. This was the one and only time anyone from the White Boy Society had ever met with Matt Hughes. We were proud of our autograph and posted it on our website. So you can end your witch hunt and false accusations about Matt Hughes. by White Boy Society on Nov 7, 2008 9:16 PM EST

They also posted four or five paragraphs of their political opinions that are not appropriate for Bloody Elbow, and with which we strongly disagree.

I believe it is important to include the portion of their post clearing Matt Hughes but did not want to give them a forum to express their political views.

We have closed comments on this thread.

by Kid Nate on Nov 9, 2008 2:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs