UFC Paris is underway and the night’s first impressive performance is in the books.
The Octagon is back in Paris for another UFC Fight Night where there are some big stakes for the middleweight division.
In the main event, both Nassordine Imavov and Caio Borralho will be hoping to take a step closer to challenging Khamzat Chimaev for the 185 pound title.
However, it wasn’t just the headliner where references were made to the undefeated star that recently became a champion for the first time.
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Sam Hughes earns Khamzat Chimaev comparisons after dominant win at UFC Paris
The UFC Paris opener featured two strawweight fighters who were looking to extend their winning streaks inside the Octagon.
Shauna Bannon may have won her last fight via submission, but the Irish star is known for her striking skills.
Bannon could have become the most successful female Irish fighter in UFC history with a win, but this wasn’t meant to be on September 6.
Her opponent, Sam Hughes, looked to take ‘Mama B’ out of her comfort zone by taking the fight to the floor, where she effectively made use of side control and the crucifix position before securing a rear-naked choke in the second round.
After fans recently saw Khamzat Chimaev dominate Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 where he racked up a lot of control time without much significant damage, comparisons were drawn between the two performances.
‘Just a dominant performance by Sam Hughes! She’s just a better and more violent version of Khamzat [Chimaev] tbh.’
‘Hughes wasn’t taking inspiration from Khamzat… she was showing him how to do Damage in crucifix!
‘Hopefully Khamzat and Dricus are watching the last few minutes of the ladies first round at UFC Paris. They can probably both learn a thing or two.’
‘Sam Hughes teaching Khamzat how to do damage and advance position out of the crucifix position.’
‘This performance from Sam Hughes was more impressive than Khamzat Chimaev performance vs DDP.’
‘Khamzat Hughes.’
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Sam Hughes delivers after being a favorite for the first time in her UFC career
Remarkably, it took 10 fights in the UFC before Sam Hughes entered the Octagon as a favorite for the first time.
Many expected that the overall game and experience of the American would prove too much for Shauna Bannon, and this was the case in Paris.
Bannon was able to stay busy on the bottom, but it wasn’t enough to stop her opponent from taking her down and putting her into dangerous positions.
Crucially for Hughes, when she was able to get these positions, she made them count to produce her first finish inside the Octagon since May of 2022.