Following the completion of his contractual obligations with the Graham Boylan-led Cage Warriors promotion, and continued speculation regarding his…
Following the completion of his contractual obligations with the Graham Boylan-led Cage Warriors promotion, and continued speculation regarding his next move, streaking Irish lightweight force, Paul Hughes has confirmed his move to the PFL (Professional Fighters League) – as well as his participation in a 2025 tournament under the promotion’s banner.
Hughes, who boasts an impressive 11-1 professional record, fought out his contract with Cage Warriors in Dublin at the beginning of this month, landing a late first round knockout win over short-notice opponent, Fabiano Silva at the RDS.
And following the victory, Hughes, who unified the Cage Warriors featherweight titles back in 2022 with a rematch win over Jordan Vucenic, officially entered free agency, amid reported interest from both the UFC and Singapore-based organization, ONE Championship.
Paul Hughes confirms move to the PFL
Putting speculation on his fighting future to rest on social media tonight, Hughes, 26, confirmed he had penned a multi-fight deal with the Peter Murray-led PFL – and plans to compete for a million dollar paycheck in the promotion’s tournament in a 2025 entry.
“Done deal @PFLMMA,” Paul Hughes posted on his official Instagram Stories. “I have sacrificed EVERYTHING for an opportunity like this. Truly gave every inch of my being to this game. This deal is going to change my life. I will enter the 2025 @PFLMMA 1 MILLION DOLLAR tournament. And there is not (sic) chance anyone is going to touch me. #MyTime.”
Signing with Chosen Advisory Group under renowned manager, Tim Simpson, Hughes joins a stable of fighters under the banner which includes former two-time UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, current welterweight champion, Leon Edwards, and recently-minted symbolic BMF champion, Max Holloway.
Over the course of his professional mixed martial arts career, Hughes has also landed other notable victories over current UFC contender, Morgan Charriere, Aidan Stephen, James Hendin, and Jays Quaeyhaegens to name a few.
Are you excited about Paul Hughes’ move to the PFL?
As 2023 comes to an end, it is time to look back on what was an extremely exciting year for combat sports in general. Whilst surging stars such as Jack Della Maddalena and Muhammad Mokaev have entered the UFC in search of gold, there are also a number of rising prospects who are on the […]
As 2023 comes to an end, it is time to look back on what was an extremely exciting year for combat sports in general.
Whilst surging stars such as Jack Della Maddalena and Muhammad Mokaev have entered the UFC in search of gold, there are also a number of rising prospects who are on the cusp of greatness. These fighters may not be on every fight fans radar just yet, but they all possess the potential to become something truly great in the near future – starting in 2022.
2022 has been an incredible year for European MMA, and that is highlighted in the LowKickMMA Prospect of the Year pick.
Prospect of the Year: Paul Hughes – Cage Warriors 145lb Champion (4 votes)
Another year, another Irish prospect on the rise.
2021 saw the emergence of Ian Garry, as ‘The Future’ captured the Cage Warriors welterweight title and signed with the UFC. In 2022, Paul Hughes has been the Irish fighter to watch, capturing the CW featherweight title, and all but guaranteeing a call-up to the UFC in 2023.
Hughes may have only fought once in 2022, but that one bout may well have been the most talked about regional fight of the year. In 2020, Hughes had lost an extremely close decision to Jordan Vucenic, who went on to capture the CW 145lb title. Hughes bounced back, with back-to-back wins in 2021, defeating both James Hendin and Morgan Charriere – names that those familiar with the European MMA scene will be very familiar with – and capturing the interim title in the process.
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Paul Hughes earned his shot at undisputed gold with a hard-fought win over Morgan Charrière for the interim featherweight title
Vucenic also picked up several wins in this time, and anticipation quickly grew as rumors of a rematch became increasingly concrete. Eventually, to the delight of many an Irish and English fight fan, the fight would be booked to headline Cage Warriors 145. Both Hughes and Vucenic’s walkout to that fight were some of the most spine-tingling moments of the year.
However, the fight itself was a masterclass from Hughes. The young Irishman showed just how much he had improved over the past 2 years, dominating Vucenic from pillar to post. Hughes now appears to have reached such a level that he is more than equipped to be competing against the very best in the world.
Just coming short by 1 vote of Paul Hughes is Cage Warriors lightweight champion, George Hardwick.
Hardwick had a sensational 2022, picking up three wins and the CW 155lb title along the way. The 26-year-old striker from Middlesbrough started his year with a bang, running through ?ukasz Kopera in emphatic fashion. This victory was enough to secure him a title shot.
Four months later, Hardwick would square off against American fighter Kyle Driscoll for the vacant CW 145lb strap. In a relentless back-and-forth war, Hardwick would land one of his signature body shots to crumple Driscoll to the canvas in round 4 – capturing the belt in the process.
Unfortunately, due to the injuries sustained in this fight, Hardwick was forced to turn down a short-notice contract with the UFC to fight in Paris. Instead, he opted to defend his belt later in the year, taking on Scottish fan favorite Chris Bungard. This may well have been Hardwick’s most impressive win to date, piecing Bungard up and finishing him in the second with yet another body shot.
Khasan Magomedsharipov (1 vote)
The younger brother of Zabit Magomedsharipov, Khasan is currently plying his trade in Bellator MMA. The young Dagestani holds a record of 7-0, with two wins in Bellator already.
Considering just how much potential and star power his older brother had, Khasan really has an incredible future ahead of him, if he is able to remain active. In 2022, he only fought once, in an extremely dominant three-round fight vs. Jose Sanchez at Bellator 275.
Khasan won via unanimous decision, showing off his impressively diverse skillset that blends the dominant Dagestani wrestling often associated with Khabib Nurmagomedov and the flashy striking his brother repeatedly showed off in the UFC.
Akbar Abdullaev (1 vote)
Another fighter to keep an eye on in 2023 is Kyrgyzstan’s Akbar Abdullaev.
The young featherweight is 8-0, with each win coming inside the distance. It is worth noting that his past three fights all took place on the same night, as he annihilated the opposition at WEF Selection 42.
Abdullaev appears to have huge potential, and 2023 may well be the year he makes the step up to the big leagues, as rumors circulate about a supposed contract with One Championship. Watch this space.
Akbar Abdullaev (8-0) has signed with ONE Championship
BREAKING NEWS: Paul Hughes has officially signed with PFL. pic.twitter.com/L8AKeBhNqh
BREAKING NEWS: Paul Hughes has officially signed with PFL. 
As 2023 comes to an end, it is time to look back on what was an extremely exciting year for combat sports in general. Whilst surging stars such as Jack Della Maddalena and Muhammad Mokaev have entered the UFC in search of gold, there are also a number of rising prospects who are on the […]
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(8-0) has signed with ONE Championship