Jeff Hughes Gets Quick Turnaround Against Raphael Pessoa at UFC Singapore

Jeff Hughes UFC
Jeff Hughes, UFC Vancouver Ceremonial Weigh-In Credit: Jay Anderson/Cageside Press

After an unfortunate ending to his bout with Todd Duffee in Vancouver, Jeff Hughes returns at UFC Singapore against Raphael Pessoa.

UFC heavyweight Jeff Hughes will make his third trip to the octagon at UFC Singapore later this month. But it won’t be a rematch against Todd Duffee. Hughes and Duffee threw down at UFC Vancouver earlier this month, only for the fight to end in a no contest after an accidental eye poke left Duffee unable to continue.

Now, Hughes (10-2, 1NC) will return against Brazil’s Raphael Pessoa. Combate was first to report news of the match-up.

Hughes, a.k.a. ‘Lights Out,’ earned himself a UFC deal via Dana White’s Contender Series. He lost his debut against Maurice Greene, a fighter he had beaten outside the promotion previously. His next bout came against Duffee, who was returning from an extended layoff.

Raphael Pessoa (9-1) fights out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The 30-year old LFA and Shooto veteran will be making his second trip to the octagon in Singapore. In his debut earlier this year at UFC Uruguay, he was submitted by Ciryl Gane, suffering the first loss of his career.

UFC Singapore (UFC Fight Night 162 / UFC on ESPN+ 20) takes place October 26, 2019 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore. A grappling fan’s dream serves as the main event as Demian Maia faces Ben Askren at welterweight.