Huge Information
Former Cage Warriors featherweight champion Paul Hughes grew to become the speak of the blended martial arts world earlier this 12 months when he fought out his contract with the UK-based promotion and entered free company. After a lot deliberation, the Irishman signed a contract with the PFL and it’s protected to say that call has labored out very properly for him to date.
A win over Bobby King in his promotional debut on the Bellator Champions Collection occasion in Dublin, Eire in June helped “Huge Information” safe a high-profile battle towards former Bellator featherweight champion A.J. McKee on the PFL’s latest “Battle of the Giants” pay-per-view occasion in Saudi Arabia.
Hughes got here into the battle in Riyadh as an enormous underdog, however his efficiency that evening seems to be to have opened the MMA world’s eyes to his skills. Hughes promised to “shock the world” by changing into solely 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 light-weight title.
Title Struggle Introduced
In line with a PFL press launch, the pair will sq. off in Dubai on January twenty fifth, 2025 as a part of a groundbreaking deal between the promotion and each the Dubai Division of Financial system and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Sports activities Council (DSC).
The press launch reads:
“The occasion will happen on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Coca-Cola Enviornment, positioned in Dubai’s Metropolis Stroll, and is headlined by the returning “Satisfaction of Dagestan,” undefeated Bellator Light-weight World Champion, Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0). He’ll look to defend his title towards Eire’s Paul “Huge Information” Hughes (13-1) who’s coming off the most important victory of his MMA profession at PFL “Battle of the Giants” after defeating AJ McKee.
The primary-of-its-kind partnership will see MMA world champions and the game’s greatest stars from the PFL compete in title fights as Dubai turns into a marquee vacation spot for the perfect of MMA. All different Champions Collection occasions will now be co-branded as “Highway to Dubai”, as every present culminates to the finale set within the new battle capital. As a part of the PFL’s dedication to creating the game of MMA in Dubai, rising Emirati star fighters will now have a pathway to turn into future PFL Champions”.
Paul Hughes vs Usman Nurmagomedov official for January twenty fifth, 2025 🔥 pic.twitter.com/svHhpqfMwd
— Paul Browne (@BJJ_Browner) November 20, 2024
This battle sees one more step up in competitors for Paul Hughes. His tenure within the Cage Warriors 145lb division noticed him participate in some sensational title fights towards present UFC fighters Morgan Charriere and Jordan Vucenic, and having come out on prime in that three-way battle the Derry native made the transfer as much as light-weight, the place he stays unbeaten.
The victory over A.J. McKee might have stunned many, however the Derry native will certainly assume the function of underdog as soon as once more in January when he faces Usman Nurmagomedov. The Dagestani has by no means been overwhelmed and holds wins over names corresponding to Patricky Pitbull and Benson Henderson. He not too long ago returned from a PED-related suspension and picked up a win over Alexander Shabily in San Diego in September.
