Within 25 minutes of PFL tickets going on sale for the upcoming event in Belfast, the organization had to reconfigure the SSE Arena to allow more spectators to witness Paul Hughes’ homecoming on May 10.
Hughes hasn’t competed in his famed fighting hometown since his stunning professional debut in 2017, back when he was first beginning his ascent on the regional MMA scene.
A lot has changed since then.
After becoming one of the most sought-after free agents in the sport, Hughes established himself as one of the premier lightweights in the world with a win over A.J. McKee in 2024. What followed was a narrow split decision loss to the seemingly immovable Usman Nurmagomedov this past January.
That controversial defeat was the catalyst for an outpouring of appreciation and recognition in Ireland for the former Cage Warriors champion. When Conor McGregor took exception to the Derry man’s respectful interactions with McGregor’s old adversary Khabib Nurmagomedov, comments questioning Hughes’ Irish identity caused even more of Hughes’ fellow Gaels to publicly side with the PFL fighter.
His performance in the bout, his reverential exchanges with the Nurmagomedovs, and the Irish support for him in his spat with McGregor all combined to make Hughes one of the most recognizable fighters on the island at the moment.
On May 10, he’ll have an opportunity to cement his status as the new face of Irish MMA.
“I think I’ll definitely be touching that territory soon,” Hughes told Uncrowned. “I’m standing outside the SSE Arena now as I’m speaking to you, I’m taking it all in and I just know this is going to be a very special time for me.
“This is an important one for me. I obviously grew up in Derry, but I’ve been fighting out of Fight Academy Ireland in Belfast and living here for nearly 10 years. As you know, I made my professional debut here, so it’s very near and dear to my heart. I feel as though I’ve dragged a major MMA promotion back to Belfast, so I’m very proud of that.”
Competing in front of a partisan crowd can provide star-making moments in the fight game. Each time Cedric Doumbé competes for PFL in France, the event is shortlisted as one of the best shows of the year. Hughes is confident he can further bolster his stock with a win over Bruno Miranda.
“I really feel like I have the nation behind me now,” Hughes said. “I feel the love everywhere I go, but especially here in Belfast. We’re fighting people here, this is what we love. And to have the support of these people is very meaningful to me. That goes for the support I’m getting all over the island too. I’m feeling the love, and when I fight here it will be an opportunity for me to give that love back.”
Hughes’ popularity now is such that the people of Belfast would have likely paid to watch him shadow box for three rounds. Nothing more than a warm body was needed to create intrigue around his May homecoming bout. Instead he’s been pitted against a very capable, albeit somewhat unknown opponent in Miranda.
Since joining the PFL, the Brazilian has only lost to former champions Brent Primus and Olivier Aubin-Mercier. He comes into this contest on the back of a win over Patricky Pitbull this past summer.
“It’s a sneaky tough fight, because Bruno is an absolute beast,” Hughes said. “I’ve followed the guy ever since he’s been in the PFL — 17-5 is a helluva record for mixed martial arts, not to mention the fact that this guy is a knockout artist. I know some people are probably thinking, ‘I haven’t heard of this guy, this is an easy fight for Paul,’ but he has way more experience than me and I genuinely think it’s a huge test. I have to prepare for this like I’d prepare for a world title fight.”
With Nurmagomedov currently observing Ramadan, the May date for this bout effectively ruled the Dagestani fighter out of the contest immediately. Hughes hopes that a win over Miranda will fortify his claims to a second shot at the belt, which he hopes will happen before the end of the year.
“We all know who I’m going to call out when I get this victory at the SSE in eight weeks, and I think that will add pressure on Usman to accept,” Hughes said. “Of course, I’d have loved to fight him in Belfast, but as [Nurmagomedov is] the defending champion, I think it will probably end up happening in Dubai. I’ll be gunning for the end of the year to get another crack at that title.”
