‘Big News’ has made quite the impression on the global stage since signing with the PFL but now he’s bringing the SmartCage back home.
Usman Nurmagomedov admitted being surprised by Paul Hughes in their fantastic clash for the Bellator lightweight title in January.
With the champion retaining the title via a contentious decision, Nurmagomedov has since said that his challenger needs to go and get another win before they can meet in a rematch.
Hughes named Brent Primus as his ideal opponent to do just that but with the former champion joining the lightweight World Tournament bracket for 2025, this was off the table.
With the PFL Europe announcing a Belfast card for May 10, Hughes will top the card in what he called a “dream come true.”
- READ MORE: Conor McGregor gets booed at Dublin concert after announcing his attendance ahead of time
Paul Hughes faces Brazil’s Bruno Miranda on May 10 in Belfast
On the same night that the third PFL Europe tournament kicks off, Paul Hughes will receive a spectacular Irish homecoming following his star-making performance against Usman Nurmagomedov.
PFL have now confirmed that standing across the cage from the Irishman on May 10 will be Brazil’s Bruno Miranda who has fought six times in the promotion.
The 34-year-old arrived in the PFL back in 2022 having accumulated a four-fight win streak that he extended to seven after hitting the ground running in his new home.
His momentum was halted by back-to-back losses to the aforementioned Primus and the former two-time PFL lightweight champion, Olivier Aubin-Mercier.
Miranda, who has nine wins by knockout, bounced back in June with a split decision win over Patricky Pitbull that was named by the PFL as one of the five best fights of 2024.
He will now look to stop Hughes from earning a second shot at the undefeated streak of Nurmagomedov which would undoubtedly be one of the biggest fights that the PFL could put together.
Paul Hughes has shown an incredible ability to rise to the occasion
Fighting in front of the Irish fans with his title fight rematch on the line won’t faze Paul Hughes based on what we have seen from him in the PFL to date.
After a debut win in Dublin last June, many thought that his matchup with AJ McKee would be too much, too soon for ‘Big News’ but the fight ended up being his coming out party.
Hughes didn’t just go toe-to-toe with Usman Nurmagomedov either, he pushed the champion right to the brink when once again, some questioned whether he had arrived at this point too early in his career.
The 27-year-old seems to thrive under the brightest lights and he will need that quality once again to avoid having his title charge be derailed by the dangerous Bruno Miranda.