Former Bellator lightweight world title contender Peter Queally would be willing to set up an all-Irish super-fight with Paul Hughes if all goes to plan this Saturday.
After one of the most hyped signings in PFL history, all eyes will be on Hughes as he faces Bobby King in his debut under the Bellator banner at the 3Arena. And on the call will be legendary lightweight Queally, who is synonymous with the Dublin venue.
Speaking with Bloody Elbow in an exclusive chat, Queally noted that if he gets called out in the cage on Saturday night, he will be happy to step in for a face-off and begin promoting a potential bout. The pair are two of the biggest names in Ireland, and a win for either would be a massive step forward.
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Peter Queally warns Paul Hughes he will get in the cage if he’s called out at Bellator Dublin
Peter Queally, who has regularly headlined at the 3Arena, was due to face veteran Yancy Medeiros on this weekend’s card. But a scheduling issue and a lingering injury forced them off the card, and he will now be working on the broadcast in a cageside role.
But if he finds himself on the receiving end of a callout, he says that he will be happy to oblige Hughes and step into the cage. “I’ll be commentating so I’ll be standing there ringside in a suit,” Queally noted. “So if he says my name and wants to fight me of course I will get into the ring and square off with him.
“I think he might have asked to fight me, I saw maybe he did an interview with Petesy Carroll and I saw a clip where he asked for maybe me or Patricky for Dublin. I never got told about that, it was probably after I had withdrawn my name from that date.
“Whatever, we can do that one as well. That would be pretty cool, it would be kind of the ‘old guy vs the new guy’ kind of thing.”
Peter Queally wants to see Paul Hughes prove his mettle at lightweight after featherweight success
When Paul Hughes opted not to re-sign with Cage Warriors, he became one of the most exciting free agents in all of MMA. The UFC were keen on his signature, but he opted for the bigger money offer of the PFL, who will put him on Bellator shows until he makes his debut in their global season next year.
Hughes made his name as a featherweight champion, but moved up to lightweight where he plans to campaign under the PFL banner. And Queally believes he has yet to prove his credentials at the same level in the 155lb division.
“I’ve seen most of Paul’s fights over the years,” he explained. “What I’m looking forward to is – he’s looked amazing, right? But he’s looked amazing at featherweight. He’s looked good at lightweight, but I think the level he’s fought at lightweight may not be the top level.
“The Bellator lightweight division is crazy, there’s some really cool fights there. You can imagine him and Alexandr Shabliy, him and Brent Primus or the Pitbulls or whoever. I’m really looking forward to how he copes with these lightweights.
“Theres no reason why he can’t go pretty well, that’s a fight I’m very excited about; him sinking his teeth into that division.”