Gearing up to take Northern Ireland by storm, the PFL resumes their tour of Europe with a thrilling fight card and a slew of top talent stepping into the spotlight in PFL Europe 1. In the main event, Cage Warriors alum Paul Hughes battles Bruno Miranda, and last year’s promotional bantamweight champion Lewis McGrillen-Evans returns to defend his crown opposite Alan Philpott.
PFL Europe 1 Main Event
Suffering his first loss in five years after a competitive decision setback to Usman Nurmagomedov, Hughes will be making his comeback fight in his adoptive hometown of Belfast. Standing as one of the most popular Irish competitors in mixed martial arts, “Big News” will have all eyes on him as he attempts to get back in the win column in style in PFL Europe 1’s main event.
A member of the PFL roster since 2022, Miranda has racked up a sterling reputation within the company, netting a monumental victory over Bellator legend Patricky Pitbull in his previous bout. Faced with yet another stalwart adversary, “Robusto” is aiming to grow his legend even more by stealing the hype of the younger Hughes.
PFL Europe 1 Co-Main Event
At only 24 years old, Lewis McGrillen-Evans is already one of the most prominent bantamweights on the planet, having won the PFL 135-lb European tournament in 2024. Locking horns with arguably his most experienced foe to date, “The McGrizzla” is aiming to take the first step in pursuit of a repeat championship-winning run in 2025, starting with the PFL Europe 1 co-main event.
Competing just three months ago, Philpott will be making a quick turnaround after logging a first round knockout win. Although he remains a significant underdog in his upcoming scrap with McGrillen-Evans, “Super Ali” possesses the skill set honed by years of competition to possibly nab the upset.
More Bouts On the Main Card
Also on the main card of PFL Europe 1, Connor Hughes comes to blows with Sebastien Di Franco; Mark Ewen fights Aleksandr Chizov, and Gavin Hughes collides against Claudio Pacella. Finally, Decky McAleenan opens the festivities opposite Gino van Steenis.
PFL Europe 1 (2025) Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
- UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
- PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
- ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2023 were won by Ben Jamieson with a record of 300-148.
Find our PFL Europe 1 (2025) picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after PFL MENA 1 (2025):
- Hank Strandberg: 29-71
- Frazer Krohn: 19-50
- Drew Zuhosky: 19-81
- Jeremy Brand: 17-72
- Andrew Benjamin: 12-54
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Declan McAleenan -106
Vs.
Gino van Steenis +124
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: McAleenan by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Steenis by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: McAleenan by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Steenis by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Steenis by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking McAleenan: 2
Staff picking Steenis: 3
Claudio Pacella -400
Vs.
Gavin Hughes +300
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Pacella by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Pacella by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Hughes by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Hughes by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Hughes by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Pacella: 2
Staff picking Hughes: 3
Mark Ewen -420
Vs.
Aleksandr Chizov +320
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Ewen by first round Knockout
Hank Strandberg: Ewen by first round Submission
Drew Zuhosky: Ewen by first round Knockout
Andrew Benjamin: Chizov by second round Submission
Frazer Krohn: Chizov by first round Knockout
Staff picking Ewen: 3
Staff picking Chizov: 2
Connor Hughes -450
Vs.
Sebastien Di Franco +350
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Hughes by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Hughes by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Hughes by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Hughes by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Hughes by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Hughes: 5
Staff picking Di Franco: 0
Lewis McGrillen-Evans -2500
Vs.
Alan Philpott +1200
BANTAMWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: McGrillen-Evans by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: McGrillen-Evans by second round Knockout Drew Zuhosky: McGrillen-Evans by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: McGrillen-Evans by first round Knockout Frazer Krohn: McGrillen-Evans by second round Knockout
Staff picking McGrillen-Evans: 5
Staff picking Philpott: 0
Paul Hughes -2500
Vs.
Bruno Miranda +1200
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Hughes by second round Knockout
Hank Strandberg: Hughes by second round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Hughes by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Hughes by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Hughes by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Hughes: 5
Staff picking Miranda: 0
