UFC fires Hall of Famers Chuck Liddell & Matt Hughes

News surfaced Friday night that UFC Hall of Famers Chuck Liddell and Matt Hughes had been let go by the UFC as part of the latest round of company-wide layoffs which saw the new WME-IMG owners fire numerous employees several weeks ago.

MMAFighting broke the news, which also revealed that between ten and fifteen employees were let go over the course of the week.

Liddell served as the UFC’s executive VP of Business Development, while Hughes served as the UFC’s VP of Athlete Development & Government Relations. Liddell had held his position since 2010, and Hughes had held his position since 2013.

Hughes gave a brief statement to MMAFighting:

“The UFC has been great to me,” Hughes said. “Times change, and I understand the decision that was made. I will move on. My family and I are fine.

“I do love adventure, and who knows what’s next for me.”

Liddell didn’t release a statement on the situation.

Liddell retired in 2010 after being KOd by Rich Franklin in the main event of UFC 115. The loss made it three straight for ‘The Iceman’, and dropped him to just 1-4 in his last 5. Hughes on the other hand retired in 2013 after being KOd by Josh Koscheck at UFC 135 back in 2011. The loss to Koscheck made it two in a row for Hughes, who had previously lost to BJ Penn which snapped a 3-fight win streak.

Stay tuned for updates on the situation as they become available.