Tag: PFL SuperFights

‘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.

‘The Belt Collector’ – Jon Jones, Conor McGregor, & Others React As Cris Cyborg Adds PFL Gold To Her Résumé

Cris Cyborg has once again done something that no one else has ever done before — capture a championship in a fifth major MMA promotion. Cyborg managed to do this by defeating the first two-weight PFL champion, Larissa Pacheco, in the first PFL superfight championship bout as part of the PFL Battle of the Giants […]

Continue Reading ‘The Belt Collector’ – Jon Jones, Conor McGregor, & Others React As Cris Cyborg Adds PFL Gold To Her Résumé at MMA News.

Cris Cyborg has once again done something that no one else has ever done before — capture a championship in a fifth major MMA promotion.

Cyborg managed to do this by defeating the first two-weight PFL champion, Larissa Pacheco, in the first PFL superfight championship bout as part of the PFL Battle of the Giants pay-per-view in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Brazilian now becomes the first fighter to win gold in the UFC, Bellator, PFL, Strikeforce, and Invicta — all at 145 pounds.

The MMA legend used her striking prowess to pressure Pacheco in the begininng of the fight, getting her against the fence before landing a takedown. Cyborg looked for a surprising Von Flue choke, and while her compatriot got back to her feet, she ate a solid head kick. The 39-year-old performed strongly and busted Pacheco open around her ear, though Cyborg wore damage around her eyes.

Both fighters came out strong in the second round, with Cyborg landing a series of strikes and a clean backfist. The veteran applied pressure as she got Pacheco back to the ground. Cyborg remained control in the second round, but Pacheco seemed to battle back in a quieter third round. There, the PFL star got the former UFC champ to the ground, dropping her with a right hand and attacking from the top. Cyborg defended well, but Pacheco looked to open her back up.

Cyborg went on to land strong combinations in the championship rounds, while Pacheco looked to land her own power shots. In the fourth frame, in fact, the reigning Bellator titleholder landed a power shot that appeared to get Pacheco to retreat.

The 39-year-old continued to land at will in the fifth round and ended up taking all three judges’ cards with 49-46 scores.

Cris Cyborg Wins 5th Major MMA Championship, Becomes First-Ever PFL Super Fight Champion

Cyborg entered tonight having lost just twice in her professional MMA career, her pro debut in 2005 and her superfight against Amanda Nunes at the end of 2018.

The first to win gold in four major MMA promotions (Strikeforce, Invicta, UFC and Bellator), the Brazilian had not fought in MMA since her successful Bellator title defense against Cat Zingano at Bellator 300 last year.

Meanwhile, this marked Pacheco’s first fight since winning the PFL women’s featherweight title in 2023, becoming the first fighter to win gold in more than one weight class inside the SmartCage. Pacheco won the PFL women’s lightweight title in 2022 in her trilogy fight with Kayla Harrison, becoming the sole loss in Harrison’s MMA career.

Continue Reading ‘The Belt Collector’ – Jon Jones, Conor McGregor, & Others React As Cris Cyborg Adds PFL Gold To Her Résumé at MMA News.