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Paul Hughes (fighter)

Paul Hughes (born 27 March 1997) is a professional mixed martial artist from Northern Ireland who currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). A professional since 2017, Hughes is a former Cage Warriors Featherweight Champion. As of February 12, 2026, he is #4 in the PFL lightweight rankings.

Background

Born on March 27, 1997, in Sydney, Australia, Hughes grew up in Lavey, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, where he initially participated in sports like Gaelic football and hurling before transitioning to MMA. His professional MMA career began in 2017, debuting at and winning in 92 seconds.

Mixed martial arts career

Cage Warriors

Hughes first gained attention in the European MMA scene with Cage Warriors, where he won the Interim Featherweight Championship by defeating Morgan Charrière via majority decision at Cage Warriors 128. He later unified the title by winning a rematch against Jordan Vucenic by unanimous decision at Cage Warriors 145. This bout avenged his only career loss, which he suffered in a close split decision to Vucenic in 2020. Hughes was the first Irish fighter since Conor McGregor to become Cage Warriors Featherweight Champion. Following a first-round knockout win over Fabiano Silva at Cage Warriors 170, Hughes left the promotion and became a free agent. He eventually signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

Professional Fighters League / Bellator MMA

Hughes made his debut by defeating Bobby King via technical knockout in the second round at Bellator Champions Series 3 on June 22, 2024. This victory set the stage for a significant challenge against A.J. McKee, a former Bellator Featherweight Champion, at on October 19, 2024. He won the fight by split decision.

Hughes challenged Usman Nurmagomedov for the Bellator Lightweight World Championship on January 25, 2025 in the main event of PFL Champions Series 1. He lost the fight via majority decision.

Hughes faced Bruno Miranda in the main event on May 10, 2025, at PFL Europe 1. He won the fight via TKO 42 seconds into the first round.

Hughes rematched Usman Nurmagomedov for the PFL Lightweight Championship on October 3, 2025, at PFL Champions Series 3. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

|- |Loss |align=center|14–3 |Usman Nurmagomedov |Decision (unanimous) |PFL Champions Series 3 | |align=center|5 |align=center|5:00 |Dubai, United Arab Emirates | |- |Win |align=center|14–2 |Bruno Miranda |TKO (punches) |PFL Europe 1 (2025) | |align=center|1 |align=center|0:42 |Belfast, Northern Ireland | |- |Loss |align=center|13–2 |Usman Nurmagomedov |Decision (majority) |PFL Champions Series 1 | |align=center|5 |align=center|5:00 |Dubai, United Arab Emirates | |- |Win |align=center|13–1 |A. J. McKee |Decision (split) | | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | |- |Win |align=center|12–1 |Bobby King |TKO (punches and elbows) |Bellator Champions Series 3 | |align=center|2 |align=center|4:50 |Dublin, Ireland | |- |Win |align=center|11–1 |Fabiano Silva |TKO (knee and elbows) |Cage Warriors 170 | |align=center|1 |align=center|4:37 |Dublin, Ireland | |- |Win |align=center|10–1 |Jan Quaeyhaegens |KO (punches) |Cage Warriors 161 | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:47 |Dublin, Ireland | |- |Win |align=center|9–1 |Jordan Vucenic |Decision (unanimous) |Cage Warriors 145 | |align=center|5 |align=center|5:00 |London, England | |- |Win |align=center|8–1 |Morgan Charrière |Decision (majority) |Cage Warriors 128 | |align=center|5 |align=center|5:00 |London, England | |- |Win |align=center|7–1 |James Hendin |Decision (unanimous) |Cage Warriors 120 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |London, England | |- |Loss |align=center|6–1 |Jordan Vucenic |Decision (split) |Cage Warriors 119 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |London, England | |- |Win |align=center|6–0 |Aidan Stephen |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Cage Warriors 116 | |align=center|3 |align=center|4:21 |Manchester, England | |- |Win |align=center|5–0 |Youri Panada |KO (head kick) |Cage Warriors 112 | |align=center|2 |align=center|2:33 |Manchester, England | |- |Win |align=center|4–0 |Kalifa Seydi |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Cage Conflict 2 | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:43 |Belfast, Northern Ireland | |- |Win |align=center|3–0 |Mateusz Makarowski |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Cage Warriors: Unplugged 2 | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:34 |London, England | |- |Win |align=center|2–0 |Stephen O'Neill |TKO (punches) |Cage Conflict 1 | |align=center|1 |align=center|3:00 |Belfast, Northern Ireland | |- |Win |align=center|1–0 |Adam Gustab |TKO (punches) | | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:32 |Belfast, Northern Ireland |

See also

References