Paul Hughes sends message to Usman Nurmagomedov after astonishing Belfast win
Paul Hughes, carrying the hopes of a nation, stepped into the cage at Belfast's SSE Arena on Saturday night with everything at stake.
The Derry native had previously given Bellator Champion Usman Nurmagomedov a run for his money in their Lightweight title bout in January, a fight many believed Hughes was unlucky not to win by decision.
Rather than waiting for an inevitable rematch, 28 year old Hughes chose to risk it all as he faced off against the formidable Bruno Miranda in front of a packed and passionate crowd on the banks of the Langan.
The decibel levels rose to a near unbelievable level when he made his entrance just before 10pm this evening. Hughes has had his Irish identity controversially questioned by Conor McGregor in recent times, comments which well and truly united both sides of the community in the North and that backing was on full display as he strode to the cage.
During his prolonged entrance to the ring there were shades of Katie Taylor's homecoming entrance against Chantelle Cameron in May 2023. Grace was sung live before his full entrance began, and like Taylor, it appeared for a moment as though he was taking in the emotion of the moment too much.
42 seconds later, he was having his hand raised after dropping Bruno Miranda to the turf and finishing him with hammer fists.
Many would have crumbled, but Hughes rose to a level that many didn't think he had in him. It was a bout reminiscent to McGregor's one with Jose Aldo all those years ago. Only one thing happened in the fight: A stoppage of astonishing brutality.
Throughout the week, Nurmagomedov's name wasn't far from Hughes' lips. Moments after getting on the microphone in the cage this evening, Hughes called for the rematch.
"He can run, he can hide, but his day is coming."
With a performance like that, perhaps Hughes truly is undeniable.
There have been plenty of big fight nights on this island in the past and there will be surely more to come, with Hughes set to lead the charge as Irish MMA continues to punch above its weight and shock the world.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
On This Week: Bowie heads Slane and a 1-0 win over England
On This Week: Irish Moments from History (9th - 15th June) Welcome to On This Week, where we delve into the standout stories from the years gone by, featuring standout news stories, major sporting events, and pop culture highlights that helped shape Irish life. Here's your dose of Irish nostalgia from 9th - 15th June. This Week In Irish News 1971: Henry Street takes first steps towards pedestrianisation Henry Street, Dublin's busiest shopping street, was opened as a pedestrianised street for a four-week period. It was the first of its kind in the city, with trees, plants, and park benches in the middle of the road. The street would be permanently pedestrianised in 1982. 1997: Mary Robinson becomes UN's High Commissioner For Human Rights Mary Robinson was appointed as the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights. She was endorsed for the position by the outgoing government under Taoiseach John Bruton. She resigned from the office of President a month later, before her term was to finish, to take the role, which she continued until 2002. This Week In Irish Sports 1987: Stephen Roche wins Giro d'Italia Stephen Roche became the first Irishman to win the Giro d'Italia. The victory didn't come easily. Despite orders from his team, Roche rode ahead of teammate Visentini to take the race lead. For the remaining stages, he had to battle with his own team, the Italian press and the Italian public to win it. Roche became the second of three cyclists to win the Triple Crown of victories within one year, which also included the Tour De France and the World Championships. 1988: Ireland beat England 1-0 In Euro 1988 Ireland marked its first match in a major soccer championship tournament with a 1-0 win against England. In the group stages of the Euro 1988 tournament, Ireland faced England in Stuttgart, Germany. Ray Houghton found the net in six minutes to secure Ireland's victory. This Week In Irish Entertainment 1987: David Bowie heads Slane Concert David Bowie marked his first time playing in Ireland by headlining the Slane Castle concert. He brought his band over as part of the 'Glass Spider Tour' and was supported by Aslan, Big Country, and The Groove. 2024: Kid rappers release viral hit The Spark as single Viral song The Spark, which features the talents of young rappers from Cork and Clare, was released as a single. The song was a hit online, receiving over 350 million views in three weeks. It was made in two days as part of Cruinniú na nÓg, Europe's only national free day of creativity for young people. The children performing are from the Kabin Crew in Knocknaheeny, North Cork and the Lisdoonvarna Crew in Clare. This Week In Irish Culture 1967: Countess Constance Markievicz remembered in Rathmines A plaque in memory of Countess Constance Markievicz is unveiled at her former home in Rathmines. The house was an unofficial meeting point for Na Fianna Éireann, an Irish nationalist youth organisation founded by Bulmer Hobson and Constance Markievicz in 1909. Countess Markievicz was deeply committed to feminism, republicanism, and socialism. She became the first woman elected to the House of Commons and the first female TD in Dáil Éireann. She also served as Minister for Labour in the first Dáil Éireann government. 2021: Ireland's first clock museum opens in Waterford The National Museum of Time, Ireland's first horological museum opened in Waterford city. The museum is dedicated to clocks and watches dating back hundreds of years in some cases, and is located in a refurbished church at Greyfriars in Waterford's Viking Triangle. Along with the oldest Irish clocks, the museum also has pieces from around the world, including from the US, UK, France, Austria, Switzerland, and Japan. What was Number 1 in Ireland This Week? 1984: 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go' by Wham! Written and produced by George Michael, the Iconic hit became the band's first UK and US number one. 1992: 'Jump' by Kris Kross The hip-hop duo achieved international success, topping charts in the US, Ireland, Australia, and Canada. 2000: 'Gotta Tell You' by Samantha Mumba Mumba's debut single was a hit internationally, spending 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. Irish Celebrities Celebrating Birthdays This Week Stephanie Roche (36) Former Irish footballer who played for the Republic of Ireland and Shamrock Rovers. Mairead McGuinness (66) Former vice-president of the European Parliament. Gary Lightbody (49) Lead singer of the alt-rock band Snow Patrol. Other Irish Trivia From This Week 1986: Birth number 39 for Ireland's oldest cow Big Bertha makes news around the world after successfully completing her 39th pregnancy at home in County Kerry. The cow went on to hold two Guinness World Records, as the oldest cow recorded - she passed away at the age of 48 years and 9 months - and for lifetime breeding, having produced 39 calves. Looking Ahead Each Monday, On This Week will bring you a mix of stories from the last 75 years, to celebrate Volkswagen's 75 year anniversary, featuring the big news stories, sporting highlights and major pop culture moments. Volkswagen has been part of those unforgettable moments - driving families to milestones, memories, and moments that matter. Join us every week as we look back at the moments of yesteryear.
Irish Examiner
11 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Cleary-Farrell on the double as Mullins dominates action
Punchestown report Willie Mullins dominated the weekend action in Punchestown, registering doubles on both Saturday and Sunday, with 7lb claimer Sean Cleary-Farrell delivering on the double yesterday for Closutton, on board Spanish Harlem and Keep Up. Without a win in his fourteen 14 previous starts for Mullins but fourth in the valuable Bet365 Gold Cup last time, Spanish Harlem broke through in the Jim Ryan Memorial Novice Chase, staying on dourly on the run-in to get the better of No Time To Wait and justify 8/15 favouritism. 'The track and trip suited him and he used his jumping experience,' said David Casey, representing Mullins. 'Sean gave him a good ride and he kept galloping. Nicer ground and extended trip suit him and I'd say we'll keep going with him.' Sean Cleary-Farrell completed his first double and provided the second leg of the Mullins treble on hurdling debutante Keep Up, a facile winner of the Lily & Wild Mares Maiden Hurdle, the 4/5 shot beating market rival Fillusin by five lengths. 'Sean gave her a good ride — she was a bit in his hands, fresh after her break, but she jumped well and stayed galloping,' said Casey. 'I hope she'll go on to win her 'novice' now — she could be one for Galway.' Joli Travail and Anna McGuinness win for trainer Willie Mullins. Picture: Healy Racing Anna McGuinness, another emerging 7lb claimer, rode her second winner in the famous colours of JP McManus and provided the final leg of the Closutton treble when Joli Travail (2/1) made virtually all, to take the John Dowling Memorial Maiden Hurdle at the expense of William Butler. 'He's had a couple of issues, but that was a good performance,' stated a delighted Casey. 'He learned a lot in Killarney and the longer trip definitely helped him. We'll try to find a 'novice' for him but, long-term, he looks like a chaser.' And he added, 'Anna is a good rider. She was recommended to use by James Lambe about a year ago and is with us full-time.' Brosna Queen, trained locally by Sonny Carey, proved best in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Pro-Am Flat Race, digging deep for Patrick Mullins to see off Atomic Queen and Kabylia. 'She's a good mare, with loads of ability,' said Carey. 'She'll have a break and might come back for the 'Mucklemeg' (listed event at Gowran Park) or a trip to Cheltenham in November.' The Noel Meade-trained Mick Collins (Eoin Walsh) rallied bravely on the run-in to confirm Bellewstown flat form with odds-on favourite Luker's Tipple in the Bermingham Cameras Maiden Hurdle. Tightest finish of the day came in the Madison Flooring Handicap Hurdle, when Gavin Cromwell's versatile grey Londonofficecallin (Kieren Buckley) pipped favourite Stay Gold by a nose before surviving a Stewards Enquiry. And the quirky, Ted Walsh-trained Hardwired, under a determined Gavin Brouder, proved his liking for Punchestown when foiling Antrim Coast by a half-length in the K-Mech Mechanical Handicap Chase., the nine-year-old third success at the County Kildare / poh
Irish Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
"It's something we've come away from as a nation" - Ireland's Dara O'Shea
Dara O'Shea reckons Ireland have found what they were looking for - and if it's good enough for PSG, it's good enough for the Boys in Green. It's not reinventing the wheel either, more so a return to solid, old fashioned values that the Ipswich Town defender feels were missing. Results will dictate whether Heimir Hallgrimsson gets to extend his contract as Ireland manager, because his current deal expires at the end of the World Cup campaign. That means the FAI could be embarking on yet another managerial hunt in November, if Ireland finish third or bottom of a group containing Portugal, Hungary and Armenia. A second-placed finish would extend Hallgrimsson's stay into a playoff semi-final in March, and a final if they win that. And top spot means Ireland will qualify automatically for the 2026 showpiece in America, Canada and Mexico - but that's a tall order. It is notable how bullish Hallgrimsson has been in his belief that Ireland can qualify. He's not shying away from it and, in turn, nor are his players. Hallgrimsson has already said that he got Iceland to the 2018 World Cup with players he feels are not as good as the ones currently at his disposal. Stephen Kenny wasn't shy about making big statements about his Ireland team going into qualifying campaigns, but most of those were over almost as soon as they began. Hallgrimsson has restored a degree of pragmatism to the whole approach, and O'Shea is one of his most trusted lieutenants. And the significance of going unbeaten in the three games this year is not lost on the defender, going into tomorrow's friendly in Luxembourg. O'Shea said: 'We understand the way the manager wants us to play and how he wants us to be as a nation. That's the identity of us as Irish people too. 'Against Senegal, our reaction in the middle of the park, we lost the ball, we got around it. There were some big tackles, some big blocks. That's something that we've kind of come away from as a nation, which we should never - that's our identity, we're hard working people. 'With every successful team, the fundamental is hard work. You watch PSG in the Champions League final, they've got all the talent in the world but they worked hard as well and that's what got them there. We've that embedded in us as Irish people, so we've got to show that on the pitch and not take the moments for granted.' On Friday, Ireland were on track for a third win on the spin only to concede to Senegal eight minutes from time and settle for a 1-1 draw. But after putting Bulgaria to the sword twice in March, it means Ireland remain unbeaten in 2025 and O'Shea insists that's not to be sniffed at. 'There's obviously a mentality aspect of football and winning games and keeping that momentum going is massive,' he said. 'It's something we haven't really had as a nation for a while now. It's something this group hasn't had at all really. 'So it's important that we keep building and don't take the games for granted because before we know it we'll be in the World Cup campaign and right in the thick of it. 'You only get one chance to qualify, so it's important that we make the most of every moment we can. The manager believes in us as a group and he believes in himself. That's massive when you can feel the manager believes in you as a group.' On the club front, O'Shea is reeling after Ipswich were relegated but he is already the subject of fresh Premier League interest for next season. A clubmate of Ireland internationals Chiedozie Ogbene, Sammie Szmodics and Jack Taylor, O'Shea had a strong individual season and performed well in a losing side. Wolves, Leeds and his former club Burnley are all reportedly keen on making a move this summer. But O'Shea said: 'I'm fully committed to Ipswich at the moment. I've got another four years there and I want to get the club back into the Premier League. 'I'm ambitious as a player and obviously I want to be playing in the Premier League but I know it's not as easy as that. Whatever happens in football it happens for a reason. You have a journey and you've got to stick to that sometimes.' O'Shea added: 'I feel like I'm well capable of playing in the Premier League and I've got to get myself back there now. I spoke to the gaffer at Ipswich and that's the task he's set me - to carry on those standards of a Premier League player and still owe it to myself to be like that. 'It's really hard when you come off the back of relegation but I'm happy with how I played. I've grown into a leader and I play better when I have that responsibility.'
