Sam Hughes is a shining example of why giving athletes time to develop on the big stage is crucial and how context matters when examining a competitor’s record, especially in the early days of their careers.
The former collegiate track athlete opened her UFC career with three straight losses. On paper, the results painted the picture of an athlete who did not merit competing on the biggest stage in the sport. But her debut against Top 10 staple Tecia Torres came on five days’ notice, and her next two losses against Loma Lookboonmee and Luana Pinheiro spoke as much to her overall inexperience—she arrived to the promotion with five professional fights and two years as a pro under her belt—rather than a lack of ability.