Written By:  Michael Hatamoto

Matt Hughes has nothing left to prove – but now seeks the thrill of training and fighting – and to have his hand raised at the end of the fight.

Hughes, who is a UFC Hall of Fame member, multiple-time UFC welterweight champion and one of the best welterweights ever, has continued to seek out high-profile, better paying matchups.

Since losing the interim title fight in 2007, and suffering a TKO in 2008, Hughes has fought Matt Serra and Renzo Gracie over the past two years.

 Hughes recently told MMAJunkie.  "He's wanting to get some payback, which is whatever.  Whatever he wants to fight for, I don't care.

Hughes has a fighting style that relies heavily on stuffing takedowns, dominating top control, and excellent submission defense -- a trio of trouble for BJJ and ground fighters.  In fact, Hughes seems rather indifferent about fighting another Gracie-trained fighter:

"I don't know about that, that [the matchup] excites me," Hughes told MMAJunkie. "But yeah, it's obviously a matchup I look for. I've never told the UFC no on a matchup."

Hughes has already beaten several Gracie-trained BJJ fighters, including former champion Serra, Renzo Gracie, and Royce Gracie.

Hughes does expect a better fight from Almeida than what Renzo offered him during UFC 112 in April.  In that fight, Renzo seemed more interested in trying to stand and bang with Hughes, rather than take it to the mat.

As much as I respect and appreciate Almeida's BJJ game -- and he's one of the best BJJ fighters in the world -- I just don't see him having a good night against Hughes.  Despite likely being able to fight the upper echelon of UFC fighters, I don't think Hughes should have trouble with fighters away from the likes of Georges St. Pierre, Jon Fitch, Thiago Alves, Josh Koscheck, and Jake Shields (assuming Shields enters the UFC).