Paul Hughes was the most sought-after free agent in 2024 when he chose to sign with the PFL – and promised to make big waves while competing. “Big News” Hughes is a former regional featherweight champion who has 13 of his 15 fights thus far, which includes seven wins in his last eight and nine of his 13 victories coming via a finish. After a second-round finish of Bobby Green in Dublin last June, Hughes pulled off a major victory over former Bellator Champion AJ McKee. Hughes then challenged Usman Nurmagomedov for the Bellator Lightweight Title at the Champions Series event this past January, coming up short in a controversial majority decision.

 

Bruno Miranda is a veteran of the fight game, having debuted in the sport in 2011 and having trained with the likes of Alexander Volkanovski and Israel Adesanya. Miranda, who has seven first-round finishes, made his PFL debut during the PFL Challenger Series. He then competed in the 2023 season, defeating Ahmed Amir and Alex Martinez in the regular season before a playoffs loss to eventual champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier. Last season, Miranda lost to Brent Primus and defeated Patricky Pitbull.

 

Will Hughes rebound from his tough championship defeat in tonight’s main event in Belfast? Or will Miranda make a major statement?

 

 

Round 1

 

Miranda throws a kick to start. Low kick from Miranda. Hughes blocks a Miranda kick. Miranda misses another low kick. Another low kick missed by Miranda. Miranda throws another kick - and Hughes catches it. Hughes drops Miranda with a right hand! Hughes with ground-and-pound! The fight is over just like that!!!

 

 

Paul Hughes delivers some “Big News” here in Belfast to close the night in style!! This Belfast crowd is going nuts for him!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Paul Hughes defeats Bruno Miranda by 1st round TKO (0:42) in the lightweight main event

 

Hughes moves his career record to 14-2 with his 7th career knockout

 

Hughes emphatically rebounds from his majority decision world title loss to Usman Nurmagomedov, putting him in a potential position for another title shot against Nurmagomedov in the future

 

Hughes has won 8 of his last 9 fights