Paul Hughes (fighter)

Last updated

Paul Hughes
Born (1997-03-27) 27 March 1997 (age 27)
Sydney, Australia
Other namesBig News
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
Division Featherweight
Lightweight
Reach70 in (178 cm) [1]
Fighting out of Belfast, Northern Ireland
TeamFight Academy Ireland
Years active2017–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total15
Wins13
By knockout6
By submission3
By decision4
Losses2
By decision2
Amateur record
Total10
Wins8
By submission3
Losses2
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Paul Hughes (born 27 March 1997) is an Irish professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). A professional MMA fighter since 2017, Hughes is a former Cage Warriors Featherweight Champion.

Contents

Background

Born on March 27, 1997, in Sydney, Australia, Hughes grew up in Lavey, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, where he initially participated in sports like Gaelic football and hurling before transitioning to MMA. [2] His professional MMA career began in 2017, debuting at BAMMA 28 and winning in 92 seconds. [3]

Early career

Hughes first gained attention in the European MMA scene with Cage Warriors, where he won the Interim Featherweight Championship by defeating Morgan Charrière via majority decision at Cage Warriors 128. [4] [5] He later unified the title by winning a rematch against Jordan Vucenic by unanimous decision at Cage Warriors 145. [6] This bout avenged his only career loss, which he suffered in a close split decision to Vucenic in 2020. Hughes was the first Irish fighter since Conor McGregor to become Cage Warriors Featherweight Champion. [7] Following a first-round knockout win over Fabiano Silva at Cage Warriors 170, Hughes left the promotion and became a free agent. He eventually signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). [8]

Professional Fighters League/Bellator

Hughes made his debut by defeating Bobby King via technical knockout in the second round at Bellator Champions Series 3 on June 22, 2024. [9] This victory set the stage for a significant challenge against A.J. McKee, a former Bellator Featherweight Champion, at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants on October 19, 2024. [10] He won the fight by split decision. [11] [12]

Hughes challenged Usman Nurmagomedov for the Bellator Lightweight World Championship on January 25, 2025 in the main event of PFL Champions Series 1. [13] He lost the fight via majority decision. [14]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
15 matches13 wins2 losses
By knockout60
By submission30
By decision42
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss13–2 Usman Nurmagomedov Decision (majority) PFL Champions Series 1 January 25, 202555:00 Dubai, United Arab EmiratesFor the Bellator Lightweight World Championship. Nurmagomedov was deducted one point in round 3 due to repeated groin kicks.
Win13–1 A. J. McKee Decision (split) PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants October 19, 202435:00 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Win12–1Bobby KingTKO (punches and elbows) Bellator Champions Series 3 June 22, 202424:50 Dublin, Ireland
Win11–1Fabiano SilvaTKO (knee and elbows) Cage Warriors 170 April 6, 202414:37 Dublin, IrelandCatchweight (160 lb) bout.
Win10–1Jan QuaeyhaegensKO (punches)Cage Warriors 161October 14, 202312:47 Dublin, IrelandReturn to Lightweight.
Win9–1Jordan VucenicDecision (unanimous)Cage Warriors 145November 4, 202255:00 London, EnglandWon and unified the Cage Warriors Featherweight Championship.
Win8–1Morgan CharrièreDecision (majority)Cage Warriors 128October 1, 202155:00 London, EnglandWon the interim Cage Warriors Featherweight Championship.
Win7–1James HendinDecision (unanimous)Cage Warriors 120March 18, 202135:00 London, England
Loss6–1Jordan VucenicDecision (split)Cage Warriors 119December 12, 202035:00 London, England
Win6–0Aidan StephenSubmission (rear-naked choke)Cage Warriors 116August 11, 202034:21 Manchester, EnglandReturn to Featherweight.
Win5–0Youri PanadaKO (head kick)Cage Warriors 112March 7, 202022:33 Manchester, EnglandCatchweight (150 lb) bout.
Win4–0Kalifa SeydiSubmission (rear-naked choke)Cage Conflict 2October 26, 201911:43 Belfast, Northern IrelandLightweight debut. Won the inaugural Cage Conflict Lightweight Championship.
Win3–0Mateusz MakarowskiSubmission (rear-naked choke)Cage Warriors: Unplugged 2September 6, 201912:34 London, EnglandCatchweight (164 lb) bout.
Win2–0Stephen O'NeillTKO (punches)Cage Conflict 1March 9, 201913:00 Belfast, Northern IrelandWon the inaugural Cage Conflict Featherweight Championship.
Win1–0Adam GustabTKO (punches) BAMMA 28 February 24, 201711:32 Belfast, Northern IrelandFeatherweight debut.

[15]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Paul Hughes ("Big News") - MMA Fighter Page - Tapology". Tapology.com. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  2. ↑ Fullerton, Gareth (16 January 2025). "Paul Hughes: Irish MMA star explains role Gaelic football and hurling played in fight career". Belfast Live. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  3. ↑ Carroll, Petesy (17 October 2024). "Time waits for no man, and Paul Hughes is impatient". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  4. ↑ Bohn, Mike (1 October 2021). "Cage Warriors 128 results: Paul Hughes claims interim belt in classic with Morgan Charriere". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  5. ↑ "Paul Hughes crowned Cage Warriors interim featherweight world champion". BBC Sport. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  6. ↑ Wells, Matthew (4 November 2022). "Cage Warriors 145 results: Paul Hughes bloodies Jordan Vucenic to unify featherweight title". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  7. ↑ Markey, Michael (5 November 2022). "Cage Warriors: 'It's hard to celebrate' - Paul Hughes becomes champion". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  8. ↑ Martin, Damon (16 January 2025). "Top prospect Paul Hughes ends free agency, signs with PFL". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  9. ↑ "Hughes defeats King on Bellator debut in Dublin". BBC Sport. 23 June 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  10. ↑ Danny Segura (13 August 2024). "Reports: A.J. McKee vs. Paul Hughes targeted for PFL pay-per-view on Oct. 19". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  11. ↑ Staff (19 October 2024). "PFL Battle of the Giants: Brace for Impact Results". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  12. ↑ Bailie, Keith (19 October 2024). "Lavey's MMA star Paul Hughes stuns AJ McKee in Saudi Arabia: 'Judging by his face, I clearly won'". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  13. ↑ Farah Hannoun (20 November 2024). "Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes for Bellator title set for Jan. 25 in Dubai". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  14. ↑ Jay Anderson (25 January 2025). "Usman Nurmagomedov Squeaks Past Paul Hughes In PFL Road to Dubai Thriller". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  15. ↑ "Paul "Big News" Hughes". Sherdog. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
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