Tag: AJ McKee

‘Biggest Win Outside Of McGregor In Irish MMA History’ – Fans React As Paul Hughes Proves Himself Against AJ McKee On PFL PPV Card

Paul Hughes has now scored the biggest win of his career, edging out a decision over former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee to kick off the PFL Battle of the Giants main card. In the first round, McKee looked to land aggressively, landing kicks and trying to control the fight by pushing Hughes to the […]

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Paul Hughes has now scored the biggest win of his career, edging out a decision over former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee to kick off the PFL Battle of the Giants main card.

In the first round, McKee looked to land aggressively, landing kicks and trying to control the fight by pushing Hughes to the fence. The Irishman responded well with strong strikes, however, including a big knee and punches in a scramble.

McKee attempted to take the fight to the ground, but Hughes defended well. The former Cage Warriors standout managed to drop the American right before the end of the first round, nearly finishing the fight there.

The fight remained competitive in the latter two rounds, though Hughes was putting up the stronger performance. “The Mercenary” looked to maintain his strategy of clinches and takedowns, looking to take the fight to the ground and keep it there. The Irish prospect, meanwhile, looked to use his hooks, combinations, and knees to keep McKee at bay, consistently looking to pressure until the final bell.

All three judges gave 29-28 scores, with two of them in Hughes’ favor, giving him the split decision win in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Paul Hughes Scores Major Decision Victory Over AJ McKee On PFL PPV card

Hughes, the former Cage Warriors champion who has won all but one of his MMA fights, entered this fight off a successful Bellator debut against Bobby King this past June.

McKee, meanwhile, saw a four-fight win streak snapped. He had entered this fight off a submission of Clay Collard at the PFL vs. Bellator pay-per-view card in February.

Continue Reading ‘Biggest Win Outside Of McGregor In Irish MMA History’ – Fans React As Paul Hughes Proves Himself Against AJ McKee On PFL PPV Card at MMA News.

Paul Hughes Out-Points AJ McKee in PFL Debut

Paul Hughes PFLPFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants featured a all-striker showdown between the prodigy AJ McKee and rising knockout…

Paul Hughes PFL

PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants featured a all-striker showdown between the prodigy AJ McKee and rising knockout artist Paul Hughes. This fight was a title eliminator with the winner getting to face the Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov.

A.J. McKee vs. Paul Hughes

Both men came out guns blazing with the precision of McKee making an impact on the former Cage Warriors champion. With a series of counter punches and a flying knee, Hughes was able to change the tempo of the match. The Irish-born Hughes again was able to land a flying knee which sent McKee into panic mode. The Irish athlete began controlling form to position plus ground and pound. After getting back to his feet McKee ate even more counter strikes and a knee which left him on the ground at the end of round 1.

AJ McKee was having success early in round 2 controlling well with his kicks. The knee and counter striking from Hughes continued to be a threat throughout round 2, landing sharp punches. After getting kicked in the cup, Hughes swarmed on his opponent with punches but McKee ducked low and shot for a takedown.

The Irishman Paul Hughes landed ground and pound during round  3, but McKee was able to get back to his feet. The US-born Bellator fighter threatened with takedowns and kept the fight in a scramble. The two traded at the edge of the smart cage with heavy punches. Hughes was getting the better of the exchanges. Hughes ended the fight landing knees against his opponent.

Paul Hughes takes the fight by split decision 29-28 x2, and 28-29.

A.J. McKee vs. Paul Hughes Highlights

PFL: Battle Of The Giants Results & Highlights: Francis Ngannou Batters Renan Ferreira

PFL Battle of the Giants: Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira took place on pay-per-view Saturday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action! The Professional Fighters League hosted its second PPV of the year at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the main attraction saw former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou make his […]

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PFL Battle of the Giants: Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira took place on pay-per-view Saturday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action!

The Professional Fighters League hosted its second PPV of the year at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the main attraction saw former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou make his long-awaited return to mixed martial arts.

Having not competed in the cage since a victory over Ciryl Gane in January 2022 — completing a pair of boxing matches opposite Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in the period since — “The Predator” made an emphatic MMA comeback at the expense of last year’s PFL heavyweight title winner Renan Ferreira, whom he pummeled inside one round.

Setting the stage for the headliners was another Super Fights championship clash, with reigning Bellator featherweight queen Cris Cyborg debuting in the SmartCage opposite the PFL’s first two-weight champion, Larissa Pacheco. The 39-year-old legend continued to make history, capturing gold in a fifth major promotion by outpointing her fellow countrywoman.

Elsewhere, Bellator gold was on the line in the Middle East when middleweight champ Johnny Eblen ran it back with Fabian Edwards and the stakes were high when the massively touted Paul Hughes got a step up in competition against AJ McKee.

With the event concluded, see below for the full results, followed by all the highlights!

PFL Battle Of The Giants: Ngannou vs. Ferreira Results & Highlights

Main Card:

  • Heavyweight Superfight Championship: Francis Ngannou def. Renan Ferreira via KO (ground punches): R1, 3:32
  • Women’s Featherweight Superfight Championship: Cris Cyborg def. Larissa Pacheco via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
  • Bellator Middleweight Championship: Johnny Eblen def. Fabian Edwards via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
  • Featherweight: Zafar Mohsen def. Husein Kadimagomaev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Lightweight: Paul Hughes def. AJ McKee via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Preliminary Card:

  • Bantamweight: Raufeon Stots def. Marcos Breno via submission (rear-naked choke): R3: 3:01
  • Lightweight: Makkasharip Zaynukov def. Dedrek Sanders via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
  • Featherweight: Ibragim Ibragimov def. Nacho Campos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Featherweight: Taha Bendaoud def. Tariq Ismail via submission (triangle choke): R2, 3:51

Taha Bendaoud Def. Tariq Ismail

Ibragim Ibragimov Def. Nacho Campos

Makkasharip Zaynukov Def. Dedrek Sanders

Raufeon Stots Def. Marcos Breno

Paul Hughes Def. AJ McKee

Zafar Mohsen Def. Husein Kadimagomaev

Johnny Eblen Def. Fabian Edwards

Cris Cyborg Def. Larissa Pacheco

Francis Ngannou Def. Renan Ferreira

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PFL Battle Of The Giants: Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira Weigh-In Results

The PFL‘s “Battle of the Giants” pay-per-view takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results! Headlining in the Middle East will be former UFC champion Francis Ngannou, who returns to the cage following a memorable two-fight stint in the boxing realm. For his first taste of MMA […]

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The PFL‘s “Battle of the Giants” pay-per-view takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

Headlining in the Middle East will be former UFC champion Francis Ngannou, who returns to the cage following a memorable two-fight stint in the boxing realm. For his first taste of MMA action since departing the UFC at the start of 2023, “The Predator” will battle Renan Ferreira for the PFL’s superfight heavyweight title.

The same stakes will also exist in the co-headliner as legend Cris Cyborg battles the PFL’s first two-weight title winner Larissa Pacheco for the featherweight belt, while Bellator gold will be on the line beforehand when Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards run it back.

Elsewhere, AJ McKee looks to stall the charge of Paul Hughes and the likes of Raufeon Stots and Ibragim Ibragimov hope to make the most of their positions on the major PPV card.

PFL Battle Of The Giants: Ngannou vs. Ferreira Weigh-In Results

The PFL’s “Battle of the Giants” event takes place on Saturday, October 19, at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The main card begins at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT, with the preliminary card starting at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.

With that said, check out the full weigh-in results below!

Main Card:

  • Heavyweight Superfight Championship: Francis Ngannou (256.8lbs) vs. Renan Ferreira (261.5lbs)
  • Women’s Featherweight Superfight Championship: Cris Cyborg (144.5lbs) vs. Larissa Pacheco (144.1lbs)
  • Bellator Middleweight Championship: Johnny Eblen (184.7lbs) vs. Fabian Edwards (184.9lbs)
  • Featherweight: Husein Kadimagomaev (146lbs) vs. Zafar Mohsen (145.8lbs)
  • Lightweight: AJ McKee (155.8lbs) vs. Paul Hughes (155.8lbs)

Preliminary Card:

  • Bantamweight: Raufeon Stots (135.8lbs) vs. Marcos Breno (136lbs)
  • Lightweight: Makkasharip Zaynukov (153.6lbs) vs. Dedrek Sanders (154.9lbs)
  • Featherweight: Ibragim Ibragimov (145.5lbs) vs. Nacho Campos (145.9lbs)
  • Featherweight: Tariq Ismail (145.1lbs) vs. Taha Bendaoud (145.5lbs)

Continue Reading PFL Battle Of The Giants: Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira Weigh-In Results at MMA News.

Report: AJ McKee vs. Paul Hughes Targeted For Undercard Of Francis Ngannou’s PFL Debut

A huge lightweight matchup is reportedly being set for the debut of the PFL PPV Super Fights series, which features the MMA return of Francis Ngannou. First reported by @MagicM_MMABets on X, former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee is expected to be returning to take on one of the biggest prospects in the sport, Paul […]

Continue Reading Report: AJ McKee vs. Paul Hughes Targeted For Undercard Of Francis Ngannou’s PFL Debut at MMA News.

A huge lightweight matchup is reportedly being set for the debut of the PFL PPV Super Fights series, which features the MMA return of Francis Ngannou.

First reported by @MagicM_MMABets on X, former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee is expected to be returning to take on one of the biggest prospects in the sport, Paul Hughes.

This was later confirmed by several other media sources, including MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck.

Hughes Set For Major Matchup In Second PFL Assignment

Ireland’s Hughes made his debut for the promotion earlier this year after signing to the PFL, stopping Bobby King in the second round at a Bellator Champions Series event following his run in Cage Warriors.

“Big News” made it clear after that fight that he had big-name opponents in mind, and that’s certainly what he’s got on his hands on October 19 should these reports come to fruition.

McKee, meanwhile, put in a standout performance at February’s PFL vs. Bellator event in Saudi Arabia when he submitted longtime PFL veteran Clay Collard in the first round.

Now he will look to welcome Hughes to the very top tier of competition in this promotion in a clash between Bellator’s biggest homegrown talent and one of the PFL’s most exciting additions.

Main-event billing for what is shaping up to be the biggest card of the year for the PFL goes to the long-awaited clash between Ngannou and Renan Ferreira, who knocked out Bellator champion Ryan Bader at the previously mentioned PFL vs. Bellator card.

In the co-main event, Cris Cyborg faces Larissa Pacheco in another highly anticipated and long-awaited meeting between the two dominant female forces on the combined PFL and Bellator rosters.

A location is yet to be confirmed for this event, though it has long been expected to be taking place in Saudi Arabia.

Continue Reading Report: AJ McKee vs. Paul Hughes Targeted For Undercard Of Francis Ngannou’s PFL Debut at MMA News.

PFL x Bellator Supercard Officially Set for February 24 in Riyadh Featuring Four Champion vs. Champion Fights

PFL x Bellator supercardThe PFL x Bellator supercard is officially set for February 24 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A few short months…

PFL x Bellator supercard

The PFL x Bellator supercard is officially set for February 24 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

A few short months after the Professional Fighter League’s blockbuster announcement that it had acquired Bellator MMA, we now know when and where the highly anticipated event featuring PFL champions vs. Bellator champions will go down. According to a report from Ariel Helwani, the event will emanate from the Saudi Arabian capital next month with a slew of exciting fights.

In the main event of the evening, 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira will take on Bellator MMA heavyweight titleholder Ryan ‘Darth’ Bader. In the co-main event, 2023 PFL light heavyweight champion Impa Kasanganay will face Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen in a 185-pound fight.

Also announced for the main card is 2023 PFL featherweight champion Jesus Pinedo who will face Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull, and 2023 PFL welterweight champion Magomed Magomedkerimov will square off with Bellator welterweight champion Jason Jackson.

Rounding out the card will be a series of can’t-miss clashes, including former PFL heavyweight champion Bruno Cappelozza vs. Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov in a heavyweight bout. Clay Collard vs. A.J. McKee will go down in a lightweight scrap and fight fans will also be treated to a heavy-hitting affair as Thiago Santos meets Yoel Romero.

Also expected to feature on the card will be the return of women’s boxing ‘GWOAT’ Claressa Shields, and the pro mixed martial arts debut of Muhammad Ali’s grandson, Biaggio Ali Walsh.

Check out the full fight card below:

PFL vs. Bellator Main card (ESPN+ PPV at 3 p.m. ET):

  • Renan Ferreira vs. Ryan Bader
  • Impa Kasanganay vs. Johnny Eblen
  • Magomed Magomedkerimov vs. Jason Jackson
  • Jesus Pinedo vs. Patricio Pitbull
  • Bruno Cappelozza vs. Vadim Nemkov
  • Thiago Santos vs. Yoel Romero
  • Clay Collard vs. AJ McKee

Prelims (ESPN News/ESPN+ at 12:30 p.m. ET):

  • Gabriel Braga vs. Aaron Pico
  • Biaggio Ali Walsh vs. Chris Morris
  • Claressa Shields vs. Kelsey DeSantis
  • Abdullah Al-Qahtani vs. Edukondal Rao
  • Malik Basahel vs. Vinicius Pereira

As always, the card is subject to change.