In lightweight action, recent title challenger Paul “Big News” Hughes (14-3) will face off against New Zealand’s Jay Jay Wilson (11-2).

The card is set to take place at the SSE Arena in Belfast. No other fights have been announced for the event.

Hughes twice dropped decisions to Usman Nurmagomedov in 2025, first a majority decision for the old Bellator MMA lightweight title, then a unanimous decision for the inaugural PFL lightweight championship. In between those bouts, he knocked out Brazilian vet Bruno Miranda.

Hughes’ signing by the PFL was a big one, given the former Cage Warriors star had been coveted by every major promotion. He made an immediate impact upon arrival in the company, defeating A.J. McKee by split decision in his debut.

Now 2-2 with the losses to Nurmagomedov, unquestionably one of the best lightweights in the world, Hughes will look to bounce back against “The Maori Kid.” A former featherweight, Wilson had three weight misses between June of 2020 and August of 2021 that saw him forced to move up a division.

He’s 3-2 since, with wins over Vladimir Tokov, Mansour Barnaoui, and Mads Burnell. His most recent outing saw Wilson lose a decision to Archie Colgan.

More bouts for the PFL Belfast card are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

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In the co-headliner, it was back-to-back eye pokes landed by Dovlet Yaghimuradov on ex-Bellator champ and UFC contender Corey Anderson, giving “Overtime” some adversity to fight through. In the main event, a rematch between Bellator lightweight champ Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul “Big News” Hughes, it was a low blow suffered by the challenger.

Both fighters were able to carry on.

For Anderson, the full twenty-five minutes were required to secure a second major title in MMA. The American was given a frosty reception by fans in Dubai, UAE during his entrance, but ignored it and fought his fight, falling back on his wrestling after taking some damage immediately following the consecutive eye pokes – going on to win a unanimous decision with scores of 49-45, 48-47, 49-45.

Despite all three judges awarding Anderson the victory, the 48-47 score still raised eyebrows, with most observers feeling Anderson had won four of the five rounds. A rematch of the pair’s 2021 meeting that also saw Anderson emerge victorious, the right man had his hand raised regardless.

Corey Anderson has now won titles with both Bellator and the PFL since requesting his release from the UFC back in 2020, a wise decision in retrospect.

As for the main event, Paul Hughes showed solid takedown defense early on in his own rematch with Usman Nurmagomedov. That defense faltered in the championship rounds, with Nurmagomedov getting Hughes down in round four with a trip; he briefly took the back. Usman, however, didn’t do much with the position, catching a breather more than anything before Hughes escaped.

Champ Nurmagomedov had won the pair’s first encounter earlier in 2025, claiming victory in a tight majority decision victory and becoming the first man to defeat Norther Ireland’s Hughes. The rematch, as a result, was one of 2025’s most anticipated non-UFC MMA fights.

Hughes, however, was showing damage by the end of round four, and when he did find his way inside on the champ, he wasn’t able to connect with anything significant. Eating a body shot and nearly a high kick from Nurmagomedov late in the round, Hughes headed to the final frame possibly in need of a finish.

He’d connect with a jab early, only for Nurmagomedov to later dump in. Hughes scrambled up, and was in the fight throughout. Another foul halted the action, an accidental clash of heads, with little over a minute remaining. Still, it was clear the judges were going to be required to determine the outcome of the main event. And while close (and with some concern about questionable judging earlier in the night), there was little question Usman Nurmagomedov would be retaining his title, especially after one final takedown in the fifth.

Official Result: Corey Anderson def. Dovlet Yagshimuradov by unanimous decision (49-45, 48-47, 49-45)

Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 48-47)

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Nurmagomedov and Hughes first met earlier this year, with Northern Ireland’s Hughes giving the undefeated lightweight champion his toughest test to date. Having made quick work of Gabriel Braga since then, Hughes has earned himself another shot at Nurmagomedov, with the champ’s old Bellator title being replaced by the PFL Champions Series belt.

Another PFL world title will be on the line, when Corey Anderson faces Dovlet Yagshimuradov for 205lb gold.

Full results from today’s weigh-in can be found below.

PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai – The Rematch Weigh-In Results

Main Card

Lightweight: Usman Nurmagomedov (155.0 lbs) vs. Paul Hughes (155.0 lbs) – for the PFL lightweight world championship
Light Heavyweight: Corey Anderson (204.6 lbs) vs. Dovlet Yagshimuradov (205.0 lbs) – for the PFL light heavyweight world championship
Bantamweight: Magomed Magomedov (135.0 lbs) vs. Sergio Pettis (135.4 lbs)
Lightweight: Archie Colgan (155.6 lbs) vs. Jay-Jay Wilson (155.7 lbs)
Bantamweight: Jack Cartwright (139.8 lbs) vs. Caolan Loughran (140.0 lbs)

Preliminary Card

Heavyweight: Pouya Rahmani (256.4 lbs) vs. Slim Trabelsi (233.8 lbs)
Welterweight: Omar El Dafrawy (170.6 lbs) vs. Florim Zendeli (171.0 lbs)
Lightweight: Luann Sardinha (154.9 lbs) vs. Mirafzal Akhtamov (156.0 lbs)
Lightweight: Takeshi Izumi (155.8 lbs) vs. Vinicius Cenci (155.2 lbs)
Lightweight: Makkasharip Zaynukov (156.0 lbs) vs. John Mitchell (155.8 lbs)
Middleweight: Jarrah Al-Selawe (185.5 lbs) vs. Gregory Babene (185.0 lbs)

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To date, no one has pushed Nurmagomedov the way Hughes did that night in Dubai. Now, they return to that very same setting for the rematch, with Hughes having earned a 42-second knockout of Bruno Miranda in the interim.

Despite Nurmagomedov and his camp initially being chilly on the rematch, Hughes isn’t taking it personally. “No, I didn’t feel disrespected, I think it’s just business,” he said during a recent face-off interview with media outlets including Cageside Press. “That’s just how this game goes, but I obviously earned this rematch by getting the 42 second knockout. It’s also the fight that the fans want to see, so it’s ultimately what you must do in this sport.”

As for Nurmagomedov, a cousin of UFC legend Khabib and brother of UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov, Usman has ironed out issues in his fight camp that dogged him last time out, he stated. “This camp, it’s like, everything’s different this time. I have high-level training partners, I have my team with me. I can’t even imagine how I can lose this fight. In our first fight, if I won the first fight with that camp, this time, it’s going to be like all different. In my mind, in my shape, physically, conditioning, everything’s going to be different.”

While he would later add that anything can happen in a fight, “If you’re fighting and other guy shows better shape, better condition, of course then you have to work more. But for this fight, I can say only one thing: He has to be ready, because I’m coming. This is not the same Usman who was [fighting] in January. This is a different Usman. And I know he’s going to be different too. That’s why I think this is one of the best fights of this year. It’s going to be one of the best fights of this year, me and Paul Hughes.”

After spending five full rounds in the cage with Nurmagomedov already, Northern Ireland’s Paul Hughes knows that he needs to build on and learn from that experience. “I have to learn as much as I possibly can from that, and implement it on the night.”

Watch the full face-off interview with Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes above. The pair headline PFL Champions Series 3 on October 3, 2025 in Dubai.

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The Professional Fighter’s League announced on Wednesday morning that the highly anticipated rematch between now former Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov and Irish sensation Paul Hughes is set for October 03 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.

In January, the two young talents engaged in a razor close five round contest that saw Nurmagomedov (19-0) edge out Hughes (14-2) to take home the decision.  Since then, anticipation to see the two engage in a rematch with official gold on the line for the winner.  While Nurmagomedov has not fought since, Hughes stopped Bruno Miranda in the first round in Ireland in May.  Notably, the fight is now for the official PFL lightweight world championship.  Earlier this year, it was confirmed that the promotion would be dissolving the remnants of the Bellator brand and the titles held by several of the fighters as it moved to create new belts streamlined under the PFL banner.

In the co-main event, the now final Bellator light-heavyweight champion Corey Anderson (19-6) will be competing for the new PFL world title in the same weight class.  His opponent will be the 2024 tournament winner, Dovlet Yagshimuradov (25-7-1), who rides a seven fight win-streak going into the bout.

In other featured action, former BareKnuckle FC star and UFC veteran Artem Lobov (14-15-1) will meet Zubaira Tukhogov (20-6-1) who fights out of the Abdulmanap School in Dagestan.  The two were notable for being the catalyst for one of the most infamous incidents in MMA history as the two entered an altercation in 2018 where Tukhogov, a teammate of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, confronted Lobov at the fighter hotel in Brooklyn, New York ahead of UFC 223.  While no physical altercation occurred it did lead to retaliation by Lobov’s teammate, MMA superstar Conor McGregor, who went on to throw a moving dolly at the team bus containing several fighters containing UFC fighters including Nurmagomedov.  The bad blood between Nurmagomedov and McGregor went on to sell the most bought UFC pay-per-view of all-time and led to a post-fight brawl that became as wide spread as the fight itself.

Other bouts that were announced include a bout between undefeated heavyweights Pouya Rahmani (4-0) and Slim Trabelsi (8-0) and a welterweight bout between Omar El Dafrawy (14-5) and Florim Zendeli (10-1-1).

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His fight against the Team Khabib fighter was one of the best fights that 2025 has had to offer, thus far. After the loss, Hughes called for a rematch in Belfast and though he was disappointed he didn’t the immediate rematch, his wish to fight in Belfast was granted. His opponent, Miranda, was a formidable finisher (11 of 17 wins coming by finish) and was coming off a win over Patricio Pitbull’s brother, Patricky.

Not unlike the times PFL booked Cedric Doumbé in France, the energy from the Irish crowd could be felt through the screen as Hughes was making his way to the cage. And the fans got what they wanted as Hughes caught a kick from Miranda and used it as an opening to land a clean left hand on Miranda’s chin. Hughes’ power was too much for the Brazilian who went down immediately as Hughes polished him off with some ground-and-pound.

Yes, he was heavily favoured to win, but slicing through a worthy veteran like Miranda in just 42 seconds is still incredibly impressive. For comparison’s sake, Miranda pushed both Brent Primus and Olivier Aubin-Mercier, two Bellator and PFL champions, to the second round. Miranda is undoubtedly a top5 name on Hughes’ resume.

After the spectacular finish, Paul Hughes, who had the crowd eating from his hand, delivered a great callout to Usman Nurmagomedov. Alluding that the Russian can delay this rematch all he wants, but his day is coming. If there was any doubt that “Big News” didn’t deserve an immediate rematch with Nurmagomedov, it would be hard to deny him after this type of performance.

Some people thought it was mistake from the PFL to not book the rematch right away, but I wonder how many still have that stance after tonight’s main event. Putting stars in front of their home crowd is never a mistake. Just look at Doumbé’s reception in France or Nurmagomedov’s in Saudi Arabia in January. Hughes getting a highlight like this, in Belfast, and grabbing the mic to call out one of PFL’s biggest stars is nothing but good business for the promotion. Being able to play the clip the KO and the callout in future trailers and promotional content in the lead up to the rematch can only increase the fan anticipation.

Official Result: Paul Hughes def. Bruno Miranda by KO, Round 1, 0:42

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PFL Europe: Belfast saw Hughes paired up with dangerous Brazilian lightweight Bruno Miranda, with Hughes entered the fight off a majority decision loss to 155lb Bellator champion Usman Nurmagomedov. While an immediate rematch had been on the tip of everyone’s tongue, the promotion opted to book Hughes in Belfast, where he fights out of (born in Australia, Hughes grew up and resides in Northern Ireland).

Where to Watch PFL Europe: Belfast

Saturday, May 10, 2025’s PFL card in Belfast, Northern Ireland is available via DAZN in the U.K. and Ireland. No North American broadcast is planned. Full results from the event, taking place at the SSE Arena, can be found below.

PFL Europe: Belfast Results

Paul Hughes def. Bruno Miranda via R1 TKO, 0:42 – Lightweight Main Event Showcase Bout
Lewis McGrillen def. Alan Philpott via R2 SUB (RNC), 3:17 – Bantamweight Co-Main Event Showcase Bout
Connor Hughes def. Sebastien Di Franco via R2 KO, 2:46 – Lightweight Tournament Bout
Gino Van Steenis def. Decky McAleenan via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – Lightweight Tournament Bout
Haider Khan def. Sean McCormac via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) – Catchweight Showcase Bout
Alex Chizov def. Mark Ewen by TKO (punches), Round 1, 1:33 – Lightweight Tournament Bout
Claudio Pacella def. Gavin Hughes by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – Lightweight Tournament Bout
Eoin Sheridan def. Malichi Edwards by KO (punches), Round 1, 1:53 – Welterweight Showcase Bout
Gemma Auld def. Sammy-Jo Luxton by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 2:43 – Women’s Flyweight Showcase Bout
Corey McLaughlin def. Nahom Wedi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) – Featherweight Showcase Bout

The post PFL Europe: Belfast Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

“I actually was waiting to see if I was in the tournament in the beginning of the year. Things changed and then I got this opportunity to fight Paul,” Miranda told Cageside Press.

“I think it was beginning of March I knew they got the offer and they were like, ‘Ok you might fight Paul.’ Which (made) me very happy with the opportunity to fight Paul now.”

Miranda (17-5) snapped a two-fight losing streak when he beat Patricky Pitbull by split decision in 2024. At that time the regular season format was still used by the promotion. They’ve changed to a tournament-only format it’s to be seen how active someone like Miranda will be.

“After I beat Paul they need to put me to fight. All the focus (is) on this right now and I’m looking forward (to) what is after that. I’m sure they’re going to have something good for me after I get all the hype that Paul has,” said Miranda.

It’s not just a fight against one of the biggest names, if not the biggest name in PFL, but in his home country of Ireland. It’ll be Miranda vs. Hughes and everybody in Ireland when he makes his way to the cage.

“I’m used to that. Most of my MMA career I’ve done international fights. Fighting in my opponent’s house like Korea, China, I mean America, Europe,” he said.

“I’m very excited because you know the Irish crowd loves a big fight like the Brazilians. I don’t see a problem for me, but they’re going to love me after the fight.”

Miranda isn’t sure how the fight will end, but he knows one thing. He’ll emerge victorious in Belfast.

“I’m going to fight to the last second to get this win. Doesn’t matter how it’s going to come,” he said.

“Striking, submission, points. I put my soul in this fight and I’ll show up with my best version.”

Watch the entire interview with Bruno Miranda above. He takes on Paul Hughes at PFL Europe 1 on May 10th.

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PFL officials announced the news via press release on Monday, along with a social media announcement (we’d link that, but it sees Elon’s DOGE-y ways have caught up with him, as Twitter/X is down).

In any case, the move does not come as a surprise, with talks of a Belfast show for the PFL swirling of late. Europe being their strongest market, and Hughes a rising star, the booking makes sense.

No opponent for Hughes (13-2) at PFL Europe Belfast has been announced, however. The lightweight was last seen losing a very competitive decision against Usman Nurmagomedov in January, leading to calls for a rematch.

“All my career I’ve said I will main event The SSE Arena, and we’ve made my dream into a reality. Belfast, I’m coming to put on a show for my people, and I will show you how much your support means to me. It’s time to get to work,” Hughes was quoted as saying in Monday’s press release.

Hughes, a former Cage Warriors featherweight champ, earned a win over ex-Bellator champ A.J. McKee prior to the Nurmagomedov fight.

The post Paul Hughes Set to Headline PFL Europe Belfast on May 10 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Ridiculous.

 

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A post shared by Paul Hughes MMA (@paulhughesmma)

“Obviously, as always, I’m going to have to watch it back to get a good assessment and a clear-minded assessment, but as we know, we all thought I won that one. I think the judges’ scorecards were pretty ridiculous,” Hughes said in the video posted to his Instagram.

“I’ll watch it back with a clear mind. I’m just judging from the energy of the arena and everyone surrounding the cage. I thought it was mine. I’m not going to make excuses though. I should’ve pushed harder. I should’ve pushed harder and I will the next time. I know we’ll fight again.”

After pushing Nurmagomedov for five rounds the judges scorecards came back with two of the scores looking rather odd. 47-47, 48-46, 48-46. Nurmagomedov was docked 1 point after he committed multiple fouls during the fight.

“It felt like the stoppage in the fourth round with the head clash changed the momentum of the fight. I feel like I was breaking him. I was ripping him so hard to the body and I felt him wheezing,” he said.

“I knew my momentum was coming up and I would have emptied the tank, but that changed the kind of flow and he got good recovery. Which, look, the headbutt was a headbutt. It was accidental. He has all the right to take that recovery.”

Regardless the 27-year-old lightweight is hoping to run it back sooner than later.

“I’m obviously disappointed. I’m gutted, I really am. I’m proud of myself, but I do need to get that back. I need to get that back,” said Hughes.

“I deserve to have that belt, soon.”

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