Seven months ago, Matt Hughes was driving his truck when he was involved in a collision with an oncoming train and rendered comatose. This evening, he walked unaided to the UFC Octagon.

As the main card for UFC St. Louis, the UFC played a long video package highlighting Hughes’ career and ability to overcome his history, before welcoming him home. The speakers hit, Hughes’ old walkout music “A Country Boy Can Survive” and the former welterweight champion and Hall of Famer made his way to the cage.

For a sport that has genuine brutality at times, it can also provide serious emotion. Check out the touching scene in the video below.

Welcome home, Matt Hughes.#UFCSTL pic.twitter.com/2CH5mB3DGH

— UFC (@ufc) January 15, 2018

–