Paul Hughes MMA Profile Record, Stats, Biography, UFC Career & Fight History
Photo Credit: paulhughesmma/instagram
PAUL HUGHES
“Big News”
IRELAND • LIGHTWEIGHT
W-L-D
14-3-0
(T)KO
7-0
SUB
3-0
BIOGRAPHY
COUNTRY
Ireland
WT CLASS
Lightweight
HT / WT
5′ 9″, 156 lbs
BIRTHDATE
03/27/1997 (29)
STANCE
Orthodox
REACH
71.0″ (180cm)
TEAM / RESIDENCE
Next Generation Northern Ireland • Derry
NICKNAME
“Big News”
CAREER HONOURS & HISTORICAL RECORDS
Paul Hughes Record
WINS14
KO/TKO
7
SUB
3
DECISION
4
LOSSES3
KO/TKO
0
SUB
0
DECISION
3
DRAWS0
DR
0
NO CONTEST0
NC
0
Percentage Statistics
Calculated from 17 professional bouts (14-3-0).
RESULT
FIGHTER
EVENT
METHOD
DURATION/DATE
LOSS
Usman Nurmagomedov
Russia
Russia
PFL Champions Series Dubai: Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes 2
Oct / 03 / 2025
Decision – Unanimous
Rnd 5 (5:00)
Oct / 03 / 2025
ROUND5
TIME5:00
METHODDecision – Unanimous
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
PFL Lightweight World Championship • Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes 2
Challenger for World Title
Fighter MatchupUsman Nurmagomedov vs Paul Hughes
Fight Location Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Coca-Cola Arena)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Coca-Cola Arena)Duration5 x 5 min
Weights Matchup155 lbs vs 155 lbs
Usman Nurmagomedov Record at Bout (Opponent)19-0-0 (1 NC)
Paul Hughes Record at Bout14-2-0
Est. Fighter Purse~$250,000 USD
Officials & Scorecards
Ref: Keith Peterson
Judge 1: 50-45
Judge 2: 49-46
Judge 3: 48-47
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
In an intensely competitive title rematch in Dubai, Hughes landed powerful counter hooks and defended multiple takedown entries, but Nurmagomedov’s cage pressure and kicking volume earned him the unanimous decision over five rounds.
WIN
Bruno Miranda
Brazil
Brazil
2025 PFL Europe Regular Season: Belfast
May / 10 / 2025
KO/TKO
Rnd 1 (0:42)
May / 10 / 2025
ROUND1
TIME0:42
METHODKO/TKO
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 PFL Belfast Main Event • Hughes vs. Miranda
Main Event Feature
Fighter MatchupPaul Hughes vs Bruno Miranda
Fight Location Belfast, Northern Ireland (SSE Arena Belfast)
Belfast, Northern Ireland (SSE Arena Belfast)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup155.8 lbs vs 155.4 lbs
Bruno Miranda Record at Bout (Opponent)17-5-0
Paul Hughes Record at Bout13-2-0
Est. Fighter Purse~$120,000 USD
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Hughes electrified his home fans at the SSE Arena in Belfast, staggering former PFL finalist Bruno Miranda with a blistering combination and finishing him in just 42 seconds of the first round.
LOSS
Usman Nurmagomedov
Russia
Russia
PFL Champions Series Dubai: Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes
Jan / 25 / 2025
Decision – Majority
Rnd 5 (5:00)
Jan / 25 / 2025
ROUND5
TIME5:00
METHODDecision – Majority
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
Bellator Lightweight Championship • Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes
Challenger for World Title
Fighter MatchupUsman Nurmagomedov vs Paul Hughes
Fight Location Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Coca-Cola Arena)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Coca-Cola Arena)Duration5 x 5 min
Weights Matchup155 lbs vs 155 lbs
Usman Nurmagomedov Record at Bout (Opponent)18-0-0 (1 NC)
Paul Hughes Record at Bout13-1-0
Est. Fighter Purse~$200,000 USD
Officials & Scorecards
Ref: Mike Beltran
Judge 1: 48-47
Judge 2: 48-47
Judge 3: 47-47
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
An instant classic and consensus Fight of the Year candidate. Hughes pushed the undefeated champion to the brink over 25 relentless minutes, rocking Nurmagomedov with counters before falling in a razor-thin majority decision.
WIN
AJ McKee
United States
United States
PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants – Ngannou vs. Ferreira
Oct / 19 / 2024
Decision – Split
Rnd 3 (5:00)
Oct / 19 / 2024
ROUND3
TIME5:00
METHODDecision – Split
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 PFL Super Fights Showcase • McKee vs. Hughes
Main Card Feature
Fighter MatchupPaul Hughes vs AJ McKee
Fight Location Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (The Mayadeen)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (The Mayadeen)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup155.8 lbs vs 155.8 lbs
AJ McKee Record at Bout (Opponent)22-1-0
Paul Hughes Record at Bout12-1-0
Est. Fighter Purse~$100,000 USD
💰 Pre-Fight Betting Odds
Paul Hughes: +145 (Underdog)
vs
AJ McKee: -175 (Favorite)
Officials & Scorecards
Ref: Bryan Miner
Judge 1: 29-28
Judge 2: 28-29
Judge 3: 29-28
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Hughes pulled off a momentous upset in Riyadh, hurting former Bellator world champion AJ McKee with crisp counter right hands and defending takedowns to claim a breakout split decision win.
WIN
Bobby King
United States
United States
Bellator Champions Series Dublin: Jackson vs. Kuramagomedov
Jun / 22 / 2024
KO/TKO
Rnd 2 (4:50)
Jun / 22 / 2024
ROUND2
TIME4:50
METHODKO/TKO
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 Bellator Dublin Co-Main Event • Hughes vs. King
Co-Main Event
Fighter MatchupPaul Hughes vs Bobby King
Fight Location Dublin, Ireland (3Arena)
Dublin, Ireland (3Arena)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup155.4 lbs vs 155.6 lbs
Bobby King Record at Bout (Opponent)12-6-0
Paul Hughes Record at Bout11-1-0
Est. Fighter Purse~$60,000 USD
💰 Pre-Fight Betting Odds
Paul Hughes: -500 (Favorite)
vs
Bobby King: +380 (Underdog)
Officials
Ref: Bryan Miner
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Making his Bellator debut in Dublin, Hughes dominated the veteran Bobby King with violent ground-and-pound and elbow strikes from top position to earn a TKO with only 10 seconds left in round two.
WIN
Fabiano Silva
Brazil
Brazil
Cage Warriors 170
Apr / 06 / 2024
KO/TKO
Rnd 1 (4:37)
Apr / 06 / 2024
ROUND1
TIME4:37
METHODKO/TKO
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 Cage Warriors 170 Main Event • Hughes vs. Silva
Main Event Feature
Fighter MatchupPaul Hughes vs Fabiano Silva
Fight Location Dublin, Ireland (3Arena)
Dublin, Ireland (3Arena)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup155 lbs vs 155 lbs
Fabiano Silva Record at Bout (Opponent)34-14-1
Paul Hughes Record at Bout10-1-0
Est. Fighter Purse~$25,000 USD
Officials
Ref: Daniel Movahedi
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Hughes finished veteran Fabiano Silva with a devastating knee and follow-up elbows against the fence to earn a first-round TKO stoppage at 4:37 in Dublin.
WIN
Jan Quaeyhaegens
Belgium
Belgium
Cage Warriors 161
Oct / 14 / 2023
KO/TKO
Rnd 1 (2:47)
Oct / 14 / 2023
ROUND1
TIME2:47
METHODKO/TKO
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 Cage Warriors 161 Co-Main Event • Hughes vs. Quaeyhaegens
Co-Main Event
Fighter MatchupPaul Hughes vs Jan Quaeyhaegens
Fight Location Rome, Italy (Fiera Roma)
Rome, Italy (Fiera Roma)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup155 lbs vs 155 lbs
Jan Quaeyhaegens Record at Bout (Opponent)11-4-0
Paul Hughes Record at Bout9-1-0
Est. Fighter Purse~$18,000 USD
💰 Pre-Fight Betting Odds
Paul Hughes: -380 (Favorite)
vs
Jan Quaeyhaegens: +300 (Underdog)
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Hughes made a thunderous lightweight debut in Rome, dropping Quaeyhaegens with an accurate counter hook and finishing with ground strikes at 2:47 of the opening frame.
WIN
Jordan Vucenic
England
England
Cage Warriors 145
Nov / 04 / 2022
Decision – Unanimous
Rnd 5 (5:00)
Nov / 04 / 2022
ROUND5
TIME5:00
METHODDecision – Unanimous
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
Cage Warriors Featherweight Championship Unification • Hughes vs. Vucenic 2
Captured Undisputed CW Belt
Fighter MatchupPaul Hughes vs Jordan Vucenic
Fight Location London, England, United Kingdom (Indigo at The O2)
London, England, United Kingdom (Indigo at The O2)Duration5 x 5 min
Weights Matchup145 lbs vs 145 lbs
Jordan Vucenic Record at Bout (Opponent)9-1-0
Paul Hughes Record at Bout8-1-0
Est. Fighter Purse~$20,000 USD
Officials & Scorecards
Ref: Marc Goddard
Judge 1: 49-46
Judge 2: 49-46
Judge 3: 50-45
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Hughes unified the Cage Warriors featherweight titles and avenged his sole career loss, out-striking and out-wrestling Vucenic over five championship rounds in London.
WIN
Morgan Charriere
France
France
Cage Warriors 128
Oct / 01 / 2021
Decision – Majority
Rnd 5 (5:00)
Oct / 01 / 2021
ROUND5
TIME5:00
METHODDecision – Majority
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
Interim Cage Warriors Featherweight Championship • Charrière vs. Hughes
Captured Interim CW Title
Fighter MatchupPaul Hughes vs Morgan Charrière
Fight Location London, England, United Kingdom (York Hall)
London, England, United Kingdom (York Hall)Duration5 x 5 min
Weights Matchup145 lbs vs 145 lbs
Morgan Charrière Record at Bout (Opponent)16-8-1
Paul Hughes Record at Bout7-1-0
Est. Fighter Purse~$15,000 USD
Officials & Scorecards
Ref: Rich Mitchell
Judge 1: 48-46
Judge 2: 47-47
Judge 3: 49-45
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
In one of the greatest title fights in Cage Warriors history, Hughes fought through deep adversity and heavy body kicks from former champion Charrière, utilizing elbows and takedowns to claim the interim belt.
WIN
James Hendin
England
England
Cage Warriors 120
Mar / 18 / 2021
Decision – Unanimous
Rnd 3 (5:00)
Mar / 18 / 2021
ROUND3
TIME5:00
METHODDecision – Unanimous
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 Cage Warriors 120 Co-Main Event • Hughes vs. Hendin
Co-Main Event
Fighter MatchupPaul Hughes vs James Hendin
Fight Location London, England, United Kingdom (York Hall)
London, England, United Kingdom (York Hall)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup145 lbs vs 145 lbs
James Hendin Record at Bout (Opponent)5-0-0
Paul Hughes Record at Bout6-1-0
Est. Fighter Purse~$8,000 USD
Officials & Scorecards
Judge 1: 30-27
Judge 2: 30-27
Judge 3: 30-27
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Bouncing back from his first blemish, Hughes handed undefeated prospect James Hendin his first loss with a flawless 30-27 shutout on the cards.
LOSS
Jordan Vucenic
England
England
Cage Warriors 119
Dec / 12 / 2020
Decision – Split
Rnd 3 (5:00)
Dec / 12 / 2020
ROUND3
TIME5:00
METHODDecision – Split
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 Cage Warriors 119 Featherweight Eliminator • Vucenic vs. Hughes
Featured Bout
Fighter MatchupJordan Vucenic vs Paul Hughes
Fight Location London, England, United Kingdom (York Hall)
London, England, United Kingdom (York Hall)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup145 lbs vs 145 lbs
Jordan Vucenic Record at Bout (Opponent)6-1-0
Paul Hughes Record at Bout6-0-0
Est. Fighter Purse~$6,000 USD
Officials & Scorecards
Judge 1: 29-28
Judge 2: 28-29
Judge 3: 29-28
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
In a razor-close battle between two of the UK and Ireland’s top prospects, Hughes engaged in technical scrambles across 15 minutes, suffering his first career defeat by split decision.
WIN
Aidan Stephen
Scotland
Scotland
Cage Warriors 116
Sep / 26 / 2020
Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Rnd 3 (4:21)
Sep / 26 / 2020
ROUND3
TIME4:21
METHODSubmission
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 Cage Warriors 116 Feature • Hughes vs. Stephen
Featured Bout
Fighter MatchupPaul Hughes vs Aidan Stephen
Fight Location Manchester, England, United Kingdom (BEC Arena)
Manchester, England, United Kingdom (BEC Arena)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup145 lbs vs 145 lbs
Aidan Stephen Record at Bout (Opponent)7-2-0
Paul Hughes Record at Bout5-0-0
Est. Fighter Purse~$5,000 USD
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Hughes controlled the grappling throughout the fight, eventually taking Stephen’s back in round three to lock in a rear-naked choke at 4:21.
WIN
Youri Panada
France
France
Cage Warriors 112
Mar / 07 / 2020
KO/TKO
Rnd 2 (2:33)
Mar / 07 / 2020
ROUND2
TIME2:33
METHODKO/TKO
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 Cage Warriors 112 Feature • Hughes vs. Panada
Featured Bout
Fighter MatchupPaul Hughes vs Youri Panada
Fight Location Manchester, England, United Kingdom (BEC Arena)
Manchester, England, United Kingdom (BEC Arena)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup145 lbs vs 145 lbs
Youri Panada Record at Bout (Opponent)4-1-0
Paul Hughes Record at Bout4-0-0
Est. Fighter Purse~$4,000 USD
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Hughes delivered a highlight-reel finish, rocking Panada with a flush head kick before following up with punches to secure the stoppage at 2:33 of round two.
WIN
Kalifa Seydi
France
France
Cage Conflict 2: Hellraiser
Oct / 26 / 2019
Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Rnd 1 (3:17)
Oct / 26 / 2019
ROUND1
TIME3:17
METHODSubmission
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 Cage Conflict 2 Co-Main Event • Hughes vs. Seydi
Co-Main Event
Fighter MatchupPaul Hughes vs Kalifa Seydi
Fight Location Belfast, Northern Ireland (Devenish Complex)
Belfast, Northern Ireland (Devenish Complex)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup145 lbs vs 145 lbs
Kalifa Seydi Record at Bout (Opponent)3-1-0
Paul Hughes Record at Bout3-0-0
Est. Fighter Purse~$3,000 USD
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Hughes took Seydi down with ease, climbed to the back, and locked in a rear-naked choke to force the tap at 3:17 of the first round in Belfast.
WIN
Mateusz Makarowski
Poland
Poland
Cage Warriors: Unplugged 2
Sep / 06 / 2019
Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Rnd 1 (2:34)
Sep / 06 / 2019
ROUND1
TIME2:34
METHODSubmission
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 Cage Warriors Unplugged Feature • Hughes vs. Makarowski
Featured Bout
Fighter MatchupPaul Hughes vs Mateusz Makarowski
Fight Location London, England, United Kingdom (BT Sport Studio)
London, England, United Kingdom (BT Sport Studio)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup145 lbs vs 145 lbs
Mateusz Makarowski Record at Bout (Opponent)4-2-0
Paul Hughes Record at Bout2-0-0
Est. Fighter Purse~$2,500 USD
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Hughes dominated future KSW standout Makarowski on the ground, securing back control and sinking in a rear-naked choke at 2:34 of the first round in London.
WIN
Stephen O’Neill
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Cage Conflict 1
Mar / 09 / 2019
KO/TKO
Rnd 1 (3:00)
Mar / 09 / 2019
ROUND1
TIME3:00
METHODKO/TKO
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 Cage Conflict 1 Main Event • Hughes vs. O’Neill
Main Event Feature
Fighter MatchupPaul Hughes vs Stephen O’Neill
Fight Location Belfast, Northern Ireland (Devenish Complex)
Belfast, Northern Ireland (Devenish Complex)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup145 lbs vs 145 lbs
Stephen O’Neill Record at Bout (Opponent)3-3-0
Paul Hughes Record at Bout1-0-0
Est. Fighter Purse~$2,000 USD
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Hughes blitzed O’Neill with aggressive punches in round one, overwhelming him to force the referee stoppage at exactly 3:00.
WIN
Adam Gustab
Poland
Poland
BAMMA 28: Parke vs. Redmond
Feb / 24 / 2017
KO/TKO (Punches)
Rnd 1 (1:32)
Feb / 24 / 2017
ROUND1
TIME1:32
METHODKO/TKO
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 Professional MMA Debut • Hughes vs. Gustab
Pro Debut
Fighter MatchupPaul Hughes vs Adam Gustab
Fight Location Belfast, Northern Ireland (SSE Arena Belfast)
Belfast, Northern Ireland (SSE Arena Belfast)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup145 lbs vs 145 lbs
Adam Gustab Record at Bout (Opponent)2-1-0
Paul Hughes Record at Bout0-0-0 (Debut)
Est. Fighter Purse~$1,500 USD
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Making his highly anticipated pro debut under the BAMMA banner at age 19, Hughes dismantled Gustab with clean boxing and ground strikes to score a TKO at 1:32 of round one.
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