Paul Hughes: MMA fighter to headline Belfast bill at SSE Arena

Paul Hughes is to headline a bill at SSE Arena in Belfast on 10 May with a special homecoming bout.

Belfast will be the first of four cities in 2025 to host Professional Fighters League Europe tournaments, featuring leading competitors from across the continent all aiming to become PFL Europe champion.

While Hughes is not in the PFL Europe tournament, he will headline the card.

The former Cage Warriors featherweight champion moved up to lightweight and has shown his pedigree by defeating former featherweight champion AJ McKee in October last year.

The 27-year-old Derry fighter narrowly lost a majority decision to lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov in Dubai last month.

That was a second career defeat for Hughes, who called for a rematch after his defeat by the Russian.

His opponent for the Belfast fight is yet to be announced.

“All my career I’ve said I will main event the SSE Arena, and we’ve made my dream into a reality,” said Hughes.

“Belfast, I’m coming to put on a show for my people, and I will show you how much your support means to me. It’s time to get to work.”