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Former UFC champ Matt Hughes airlifted to hospital after truck collides with train (UPDATED)

Published Jun. 16, 2017 9:36 p.m. ET

Damon Martin

Former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes was airlifted for medical treatment from the site of an accident on Friday after his truck collided with a train in Illinois.

According to numerous reports, Hughes was the person injured in the accident when his truck was struck by a moving train around 10:30 a.m. this morning.

UFC president Dana White later confirmed that Hughes had suffered head injuries before being airlifted to a local medical facility for treatment.

"Apparently he has head trauma," White told ESPN. "His family is traveling to him now."

Illnois State Police told the State-Journal Review that Hughes crossed the railroad tracks directly in front of the moving train where it was struck on the passenger side of the vehicle.

As of now, investigators are still trying to identify what caused the crash.

Hughes is a UFC Hall of Famer and multi-time defending welterweight champion, who faced a laundry list of top fighters during his career including wins over Georges St-Pierre and B.J. Penn.

Hughes last fought in the UFC in 2011 before retiring from the sport, although he had hinted at a comeback in recent months.

UPDATED:

The HSHS St. John's Hospital released a statement regarding Hughes' condition on Friday confirming that the former UFC champion has been stabilized following the car accident.

"Former UFC fighter and Hillsboro native Matt Hughes was airlifted to HSHS St. John’s Hospital in the noon hour on Friday, June 16, 2017. The HSHS St. John’s Regional Trauma Team stabilized him and continues to help him in his recovery," hospital officials said

"Hughes’ family asks that you respect their privacy during this difficult time. They ask that you keep Matt in your thoughts and prayers."

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