Connor Hughes works his way to PFL Europe lightweight title bout

Connor Hughes has been training in combat sports since the age of 3, coming from a family of accomplished karatekas and kickboxers. Hughes, a finishing artist, came up short against Dylan Tuke in last year’s PFL Europe season. Hughes, however, rebounded with a win over Sebastian Santana Guedes before knocking out Anatolij Baal in March to reach tonight’s semifinal.

Ignacio Capella has put on a strong striking display, thanks to solid boxing skills and knockout power. Capella currently sports an 8-1 record, with seven of those wins coming via a finish. Capella has won all of his fights since dropping his professional debut, running through Yazid Chouchane in March to reach tonight’s event.

Who will move on to the PFL Europe Lightweight Championship fight?

Round 1

Hughes with a couple of low kicks to start. High kick from Hughes is blocked. Low kick from Hughes is blocked. Hughes misses a left hook. Both men land strong hooks. Front kick from Hughes is blocked. Inside low kick from Hughes. Another low kick from Hughes. Inside left punch from Hughes. Low kick from Capella misses. Strong inside right hand from Capella. Front kick from Capella is blocked. Hard low kick from Hughes. Low kick from Capella. Both fire off strong hooks.

One-two to the body from Capella. Low kick from Capella. Left hand from Capella. Low kick from Hughes makes Capella miss a one-two. High kick misses for Hughes. Capella misses a low kick, and Hughes misses a counter hook. Round kick from Hughes. Knee from Hughes. Another missed low kick from Capella. Right hand for Hughes. One-two from Capella. Hook kick from Hughes. One-two from Capella. Left hand to the body lands for Capella. Left hook from Capella. Right hand from Capella narrowly misses, but it gets Hughes off balance. Low kick from Capella.

Round 2

A pair of left hands from Hughes to start. Capella misses strong hooks. Side kick by Hughes. Hughes circles around and switches his stance. Hughes with a low kick and a high one. Left hand from Hughes. Left hand from Hughes, who dodges a big combination from Capella. Leg kicks clash. Strong combination from Hughes, but Capella gets his guard up. Left hand from Capella. Hughes lands a kick to the body. Left hand from Capella. Combination from Hughes. Left hand from Hughes.

A couple of low kicks from Hughes. Capella with a low kick. Another low kick from Hughes. One-two from Hughes. Left hand from Capella, but Hughes comes in with a kick to the body. Kick upstairs by Hughes. Right hand from Capella to the body. Round kick by Hughes, but Capella keeps coming forward. Both men throw kicks. Left hand from Hughes. Low kick from Capella. Powerful right hand from Capella. Hughes circling near the fence. Capella lands a strong flurry before the bell.

Round 3

Left hand from Hughes. Low kick from Hughes. One-two from Capella. Left hand from Hughes. Small flurry from Capella. Hughes tries to press Capella into the fence, but Capella counters. Low kick from Hughes, but Capella tries to use his power in his strikes. One-two from Hughes. Body kick from Hughes. Hughes looks for a takedown, but Capella prevents it. Jab to the body and a couple of low kicks from Capella. Right hand for Hughes. Left hand for Hughes. Hughes with another takedown attempt, but Capella defends it very well. Left hand from Capella. Low kick from Hughes. Another low kick. Left hand from Capella. Another low kick from Hughes. Capella responds in kind. Capella with a left hand, followed by a combination. Hughes tries to tangle him, and the two get into a clinch battle.

The two jockey for position before separating with 2:15 left in the round. Hughes eats some of Capella’s power. Another takedown attempt from Hughes is unsuccessful. Capella presses Hughes into the fence briefly. Jab by Capella on the outside. Capella works the left hand. Capella easily defends another takedown attempt and drives into a top position. Hughes locks the hands and tries to keep Capella down with him. The referee calls for action. Capella bringing forearm pressure, but Hughes staying in control. A few left hands from Capella. Capella landing with the left hand at will. The final bell sounds.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Connor Hughes def. Ignacio Capella via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)