Connor Hughes is a decorated martial artist, coming from a family filled with them, with championships in kickboxing and karate – as well as being a former Golden Gloves NW boxing finalist. A teammate to Paddy Pimblett, Hughes started his career 7-0 and currently holds a 10-2 record. Hughes came up just short of a PFL Europe title last year, defeating Anatolij Baal and Ignacio Capella before losing to Jakub Kaszuba.

 

Sebastien Di Franco is a decorated striker in his own right, holding a black belt in Kyokushin Karate – along with a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Di Franco was a 2019 IMMAF European Open Lightweight gold medalist who was named Best Male Athlete at the Belgian Sports Awards in 2020. Di Franco, who competes under a major MMA spotlight for the first time, is 10-3, coming off a loss to Nikita Leshukov in September.

 

Which of these two men will secure the final spot in the 2025 PFL Europe Lightweight Tournament Semifinals?

 

 

Round 1

 

Low kick from Hughes. Left hand from Di Franco. Left from Hughes. Counter right from Hughes. Low kick by Hughes. Combination from Di Franco, but he’s hit with a check hook by Hughes. Low kick from Hughes. Left hand by Hughes. Another low kick from Hughes. Left hand by Di Franco. Low kick by Di Franco. Hughes catches a kick and throws a one-two. Di Franco loses balance but is allowed up. Low kick from Hughes. Di Franco moves around the outside, feeling the effects of the leg kicks from Hughes. There’s another leg kick from Hughes. One of Di Franco’s legs is bruised up badly already. Another leg kick.

 

Hughes lands a body kick. Hughes lands a knee in a brief clinch. Kick attempt from Hughes again. Left hand from Hughes. Di Franco with a left hand. Check hook from Hughes. Hughes with another leg kick. Three-punch combination from Hughes. Di Franco blitzes forward with one of his own. Hughes flashes the low right hand. Leg kick from Hughes. A couple of combinations from Di Franco as he briefly presses Hughes against the fence. Di Franco working his combinations more now. Another inside leg kick from Hughes.

 

 

Round 2

 

Hughes with a check hook. Di Franco with a straight left. Left hand from Hughes. Low kick from Hughes. Di Franco stumbles a bit when throwing an overhand. Low kick from Hughes misses. Another miss from Hughes as Di Franco walks around the outside. Di Franco comes forward. Di Franco flashes the right hand. Low kick from Hughes and a short shot to the body. Hooks from both men. Left hand from Di Franco. Di Franco charges forward with another combination. Left hand from Hughes. Left hand and a low kick from Hughes.

 

One-two from Di Franco. Both men land a left. RIGHT HAND DROPS DI FRANCO OUT COLD! WOW!

 

 

Connor Hughes makes an impact to secure the last Lightweight Semifinal slot!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Connor Hughes defeats Sebastien Di Franco by 2nd round KO (2:46) in a Lightweight Tournament fight, advancing to the Semifinals, where he’ll face Gino Van Steenis.

 

Hughes moves his career record to 11-2 with his 5th knockout

 

9 of his 11 wins are by finish

 

Hughes fights out of Liverpool, England

 

Hughes lost in the 2024 PFL Europe Championship to Jakub Kaszuba by 4th round TKO