Paul Hughes won the statement at PFL Belfast, stopping Bruno Miranda in just 42 seconds in front of the sold-out crowd at the SSE Arena. The lightweight competitor wasted no time rebounding champion Usman Nurmagomedov from the loss of a narrow and controversial majority decision in January, recognizing himself as a top candidate. Hughes caught a kick from Miranda, landing the decisive left hook, finishing the fight with the ground and pound, urging the referee to step into the contest within a minute to finish.
42 seconds of KO
Looking back at the fight, Hughes replied, “It’s like everything was just too perfect. Everything went better than I had imagined. I didn’t expect him to knock him out within a minute. I wanted to go outside.
Paul Hughes demands a rematch With Usman Nurmagomedov
The victory soon rekindled the call for a rematch with Usman Nurmagomedov. Their first meeting was a close five-round contest, with many fans and experts asking for a rematch soon. Paul Hughes made his intentions clear in both his cage and his interview. “They have to go on this fight next, they have to attack while the iron is hot.
Paul Hughes added a message directly to Nurmagomedov. Leaving undefeated and considered one of the top lightweights in the sport, Nurmagomedov responded to Hughes’ callout by congratulating him, but insisted that the rematch would only happen on his terms.
Paul Hughes asserts that on his part, a rematch is inevitable and that it is the battle that fans want most. Hughes’s perspective on the title is practical. “The belts go back and forth. I don’t care much about them. I don’t care what they have. I go to the grave with this. I always say in this fight lead-up, the biggest arena you can do here in Belfast, like fighting in the SSE arena. Will.”
Beyond the cage, Paul Hughes continues to use his platform to highlight issues that are important to him, including Northern Ireland’s mental health funds. “Mental health charities are totally underfunded here in Northern Ireland. We have the highest percentage of mental health in the UK and the most underfunded in the UK. I feel very strongly about that.
His record is currently 14-2, with momentum firmly on his side, with Paul Hughes holding another shot in the lightweight title and potential for a rematch with Nurmagomedov, the biggest fight in PFL history.