BAD MMA - The origins of combat™ » Paul Hughes

Dan Hardy: No shortage of 2025 PFL fighters who could hang in UFC right now

BAD MMA News — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 19:43:40 +0000

Dan Hardy is confident many of the PFL’s top stars would succeed in the UFC. The PFL analyst specifically referred to Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov ’s (19-0) successful title defense against Paul Hughes (13-2) in the main event of PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series in January, which turned out to be one of the more exciting and competitive fights of the year so far. Hardy also likes undefeated Bellator champion Johnny Eblen ’s (16-0) chances against any UFC middleweight. “The UFC is such a strong brand and they really do dominate the sport,” Hardy told MMA Junkie Radio. “It’s easy for fans to look outside of the UFC and go, ‘These fighters aren’t good enough, otherwise they would be in the UFC.’ We all know that’s the case. We’ve got the likes of Paul Hughes now signed up and had a fantastic bout against Usman Nurmagomedov.

Excerpt from:

Dan Hardy: No shortage of 2025 PFL fighters who could hang in UFC right now – MMA Junkie

Paul Hughes stumps for PFL amid turmoil, disappointed by ‘trend to hate on them’

BAD MMA News — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 22:13:28 +0000

The negative experience with the PFL shared by many big names on the roster has been the complete opposite for one of the promotion’s standout fighters. Lightweight contender Paul Hughes went to bat for the PFL on Friday, expressing disappointment that “it has become a trend to hate on (the promotion).” Hughes’ words were part of a quote-tweet on X in which responded to criticism by former Strikeforce champion and “Weighing In” podcast co-host Josh Thomson, who urged the PFL to “get their sh*t together” during a recent interview with MMA Junkie Radio . As far as Hughes is concerned, though, the PFL already has it together. “The PFL have provided me the platform to completely change my life and my career in 9 months,” wrote Hughes, who’s been booked three times by PFL, including a January title-fight loss to Bellator lightweight champ Usman Nurmagomedov. “The staff have been absolutely amazing to deal with the entire time. I find it disappointing that it has become a trend to hate on them

Go here to read the rest:

Paul Hughes stumps for PFL amid turmoil, disappointed by ‘trend to hate on them’ – MMA Junkie

Paul Hughes headlines PFL Belfast event vs. Bruno Miranda on May 10

BAD MMA News — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 20:28:30 +0000

PFL standout Paul Hughes will return to home soil for his next fight. Hughes (13-2) takes on Bruno Miranda (17-5) in the PFL Belfast main event May 10 at SSE Arena, promotion officials announced Wednesday morning.

Excerpt from:

Paul Hughes headlines PFL Belfast event vs. Bruno Miranda on May 10 – MMA Junkie

Usman Nurmagomedov encourages humility in response to Conor McGregor’s criticism of Paul Hughes

BAD MMA News — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 03:02:52 +0000

Conor McGregor was upset with his fellow countryman Paul Hughes for being cordial with Usman Nurmagomedov and his camp. Nurmagomedov (19-0) defeated Hughes (13-2) by majority decision in the main event of PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai, a result that McGregor felt was a robbery. The Irishman took things to another level by going at Hughes after the fight because he said he was “not like this other guy” in reference to McGregor and his history with Khabib Nurmagomedov and the Dagestani camp. “Honestly, it was crazy,” Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie. “Paul is good guy. We spoke with him a little bit

Original post:

Usman Nurmagomedov encourages humility in response to Conor McGregor’s criticism of Paul Hughes – MMA Junkie

MMA Junkie Radio #3540: Paul Hughes, Burt Watson interviews, UFC Fight Night 251 preview

BAD MMA News — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 04:00:28 +0000

Thursday’s episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here. On Episode 3,540, the guys welcomed in a pair of phenomenal guests: PFL lightweight Paul Hughes and MMA legend Burt Watson . The fellas also preview the UFC Fight Night 251 card taking place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Tune in!

MMA Junkie Radio #3540: Paul Hughes, Burt Watson interviews, UFC Fight Night 251 preview – MMA Junkie

Paul Hughes doesn’t recognize the Conor McGregor who lashed out, doubts they mend fences

BAD MMA News — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 20:42:05 +0000

Paul Hughes doesn’t expect to reconcile with Conor McGregor anytime soon. Like many Irish fighters, Hughes looked up to the former UFC two-division champion. Up until his title fight against Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov at PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai last month, Hughes had McGregor’s support. Hughes lost a close decision to Nurmagomedov, which McGregor called a robbery

Continue reading here:

Paul Hughes doesn’t recognize the Conor McGregor who lashed out, doubts they mend fences – MMA Junkie

Usman Nurmagomedov: I was ’50 percent’ in Bellator title win over Paul Hughes

BAD MMA News — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 22:54:30 +0000

Despite coming out on top, Usman Nurmagomedov wants fans to know that his full potential wasn’t displayed in his latest title defense. Nurmagomedov (19-0) defended his Bellator lightweight title, a now defunct promotion under the PFL banner, against Irisman Paul Hughes (13-2) in the main event of PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series last month at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Nurmagomedov won a close and competitive majority decision that read 47-47, 48-46 and 48-46 on the judges’ scorecards. Even though he retained his belt and his unbeaten record, Nurmagomedov says he was only a fraction of himself in that cage.

View post:

Usman Nurmagomedov: I was ’50 percent’ in Bellator title win over Paul Hughes – MMA Junkie

PFL free fight: Usman Nurmagomedov edges out Paul Hughes to defend lightweight title

BAD MMA News — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 12:13:18 +0000

Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes went toe-to-toe in what many consider to be the best fight in PFL history. The two met in the main event of PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. After 25 minutes, Nurmagomedov (19-0) got his hand raised with a majority decision over Hughes (13-2)

PFL free fight: Usman Nurmagomedov edges out Paul Hughes to defend lightweight title – MMA Junkie

Video: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes: Best fight in PFL history? Immediate rematch?

BAD MMA News — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 02:44:31 +0000

Usman Nurmagomedov retained his Bellator lightweight title in thrilling fashion this past weekend. The undefeated protégé of UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov went toe to toe with Ireland’s Paul Hughes to win a majority decision in the main event of PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series . It was a highly competitive fight that had many fans entertained and debating who was the rightful winner.

Read this article:

Video: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes: Best fight in PFL history? Immediate rematch? – MMA Junkie

Conor McGregor lashes out at Paul Hughes’ loss: ‘The Nurmagomedovs are not fighters’

BAD MMA News — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 00:45:55 +0000

Conor McGregor thinks Paul Hughes was robbed at PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai and had strong words about Usman Nurmagomedov and his family. McGregor was eager to see fellow Irishman Hughes (13-2) get his hand raised after putting on a stellar performance against Nurmagomedov (19-0) on Saturday, but the judges didn’t agree and he was on the wrong side of a majority decision . The disdain for the Nurmagomedov name is no secret from McGregor, who lost to UFC Hall of Famer Khabib in October 2018 in the highest-selling fight in UFC history. He used the opportunity of Hughes’ defeat to unload on his rivals

See the original post:

Conor McGregor lashes out at Paul Hughes’ loss: ‘The Nurmagomedovs are not fighters’ – MMA Junkie