Gracie would never have taken Hughes, even in his prime. Neither would Shamrock. His prime is when fighters had no ground game.

The Gracies helped form UFC to show off their re-invented martial art. I don't think they ever imagined so many fighters cross breeding martial art styles. I like Gracie but his style never evolved. His kicks looked silly. And we can't talk about age either because only 39. Coutour was older than that.

And Gracie never retired. He's been fighting in pride and other events. Actually, he hasn't fought competitivley much at all compared to Hughes. His record is 13-3-3, and that's a life time record.