In terms of best fighter I would actually put Lawler, Shield and Maia ahead of Hughes. There was not a single elite wrestler to nullify Hughes takedowns in his days (was Sherk elite?). Imagine Matt in his prime against a Koschek, Maia, Fitch, Hendricks or Lawler. What would the odd be for such fights?!!! Also, Hughes was lucky quite often; his fight with Newton should have been a draw, GSP lost when he was green and literally gave his arm..., BJ was destroying him until he gazed, Matt fought the most overrated fighter of all time in Gracie (the guy was great in first UFCs because no one knew BJJ). If Hughes was born 7 years later, he would just be a middle of the pack fighter in the UFC.