Big News
Former Cage Warriors featherweight champion Paul Hughes became the talk of the mixed martial arts world earlier this year when he fought out his contract with the UK-based promotion and entered free agency. After much deliberation, the Irishman signed a contract with the PFL and it’s safe to say that decision has worked out very well for him so far.
A win over Bobby King in his promotional debut on the Bellator Champions Series event in Dublin, Ireland in June helped “Big News” secure a high-profile fight against former Bellator featherweight champion A.J. McKee on the PFL’s recent “Battle of the Giants” pay-per-view event in Saudi Arabia.
Hughes came into the fight in Riyadh as a massive underdog, but his performance that night looks to have opened the MMA world’s eyes to his talents. Hughes promised to “shock the world” by becoming only the second fighter (after Patricio Pitbull) to topple McKee, and having delivered on that promise the 27-year-old has now earned a shot at Usman Nurmagomedov’s Bellator lightweight title.
Title Fight Announced
According to a PFL press release, the pair will square off in Dubai on January 25th, 2025 as part of a groundbreaking deal between the promotion and both the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Sports Council (DSC).
The press release reads:
“The event will take place on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Coca-Cola Arena, located in Dubai’s City Walk, and is headlined by the returning “Pride of Dagestan,” undefeated Bellator Lightweight World Champion, Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0). He will look to defend his title against Ireland’s Paul “Big News” Hughes (13-1) who is coming off the biggest victory of his MMA career at PFL “Battle of the Giants” after defeating AJ McKee.
The first-of-its-kind partnership will see MMA world champions and the sport’s biggest stars from the PFL compete in title fights as Dubai becomes a marquee destination for the best of MMA. All other Champions Series events will now be co-branded as “Road to Dubai”, as each show culminates to the finale set in the new fight capital. As part of the PFL’s commitment to developing the sport of MMA in Dubai, rising Emirati star fighters will now have a pathway to become future PFL Champions”.
Paul Hughes vs Usman Nurmagomedov official for January 25th, 2025 🔥 pic.twitter.com/svHhpqfMwd
— Paul Browne (@BJJ_Browner) November 20, 2024
This fight sees yet another step up in competition for Paul Hughes. His tenure in the Cage Warriors 145lb division saw him take part in some sensational title fights against current UFC fighters Morgan Charriere and Jordan Vucenic, and having come out on top in that three-way battle the Derry native made the move up to lightweight, where he remains unbeaten.
The victory over A.J. McKee may have surprised many, but the Derry native will surely assume the role of underdog once again in January when he faces Usman Nurmagomedov. The Dagestani has never been beaten and holds wins over names such as Patricky Pitbull and Benson Henderson. He recently returned from a PED-related suspension and picked up a win over Alexander Shabily in San Diego in September.
