FORMER UFC WELTERWEIGHT champion Matt Hughes was airlifted to hospital on Friday after the truck which he was driving was struck by a moving train.

Hughes, 43, was rushed to HSHS St John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois where he was stabilised by the regional trauma team.

“Apparently he has head trauma,” UFC president Dana White told ESPN. “His family is travelling to him now.”

“Our thoughts are with Matt Hughes and his family,” the UFC said in a short message posted to Twitter.

A UFC Hall of Famer, Hughes held the welterweight title on two separate occasions from 2001-2004 and again from 2004-2006. His final fight for the organisation came in September 2011 when he lost to Josh Koscheck.

ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reports details from the Illinois State Police who say Hughes’ truck crossed “directly in front of a train and the train struck the passenger side of the truck.”

A brief statement released by the hospital said:

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

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!