Latest news with #BrunoMiranda
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hughes wants Nurmagomedov rematch after Miranda TKO
Paul Hughes has called on the Professional Fighters League (PFL) to stage his rematch with Usman Nurmagomedov "as soon as possible".The Derry fighter secured an emphatic 42-second knockout victory over Bruno Miranda at the SSE Arena in Belfast on Saturday night and immediately targeted a second bout with the Bellator lightweight the pair met in January, Nurmagomedov extended his unbeaten streak to 19 fights after the judges scored the fight 47-47, 48-46, 48-46 in his favour."[A rematch] has to be next," said Hughes."Make the fight as soon as possible. The PFL would be absolutely crazy not to make that fight next. Let's make it happen."I believe I'm one of the best, pound-for-pound, on the planet. I think that when I get the fight and beat Usman, that will be the proof."Hughes had previously called for a rematch to be staged in Belfast but said it would now "probably be in Dubai".Likely headed on the road for his next fight, the 28-year-old savoured his homecoming victory over Miranda as he returned as headliner to the same venue where he had made his debut in 2017."I will never, ever forget the entire experience," he added."That's something I'll go to the grave with."It's so good it doesn't feel real. I need to pinch myself."
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hughes stops Miranda in 42 seconds in Belfast
Derry's Paul Hughes got back in the win column with an explosive 42-second knockout victory over Bruno Miranda in Belfast. Hughes soaked up an electric atmosphere inside the SSE Arena before producing a performance that matched it. The 28-year-old lightweight, who dropped Miranda with a huge left hand, said: "I wish it went on a little longer, I know people wanted to see a scrap, but what do you do? I just hit too hard. "I made my professional debut in this arena over eight years ago and every single time I drove past it I said I am going to fight there [again] and my dream came true. "We're a small country but we're dong big things on the world stage. I hope I represent you all well, because I am going to the top." Fighting on home soil for the first time since 2019, Hughes might have felt the weight of a nation on his shoulders. After a narrow defeat by former Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov in January, Hughes needed a big performance on home soil to stake his claim for a rematch. But there was zero sign of nerves from Hughes, who wore a broad smile from the moment he emerged from backstage. Hughes appeared alongside local musician Foy Vance, who sang a live version of the Dubliners 'Grace'. The crowd sang the lyrics back to Hughes after relentlessly booing Miranda a few moments before. Hughes entered the cage to 'Oles' nd there was no time for even a slight lull in atmosphere as Hughes took advantage of a lazy kick from Miranda by catching it and delivering his knockout blow. As Miranda collapsed and Hughes unloaded, the referee stepped in to stop the contest. "Usman Nurmagomedov, you can run and you can try delay this rematch as long as you want, but your day is coming," Hughes said in the aftermath. Hughes improved his record to 14 wins and two losses and will consider himself in pole position to fight Nurmagomedov in the near future. Relive Hughes epic knockout of Miranda in Belfast 'My body shut down - it was a life or death situation' In the co-main event, Englishman Lewis McGrillen upset local fighter Alan Philpott by submitting the Antrim man in two rounds. Manchester's McGrillen, fighting for the first time since winning the 2024 PFL Europe bantamweight tournament, produced a dominant performance to see off 32-year-old Philpott. He capped the fight off with a rear-naked choke, to secure the first submission victory of his career. McGrillen, 24, improved to 11 wins and one loss and had a simple message after his latest victory. "Give me PFL Manchester," he said. MMA schedule and results 2025 Watch every Born to Brawl episode Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Paul Hughes rocks the SSE Arena with astonishing rapid-fire KO
With the weight of a nation on his shoulders, Paul Hughes stepped into the cage at the SSE Arena in Belfast on Saturday night with everything to lose. The Derry native pushed Bellator Champion Usman Nurmagomedov all the way in their Lightweight title bout in January, a bout which many felt Hughes was unfortunate not to be awarded the win by decision. 28-year-old Hughes could well have sat on the sidelines and waited for the inevitable rematch to be made. Instead, he put it all on the line as he took on the dangerous Bruno Miranda in front of a sold-out, febrile crowd on the bank of the Langan. READ MORE: Belfast man falsely claimed crashed car was stolen as he had no insurance READ MORE: Shocking CCTV shows masked gunman open fire on house as family sleep inside The decibel levels rose to a near unbelievable level when he made his entrance a little after 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.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paul Hughes sends Belfast into frenzy with 42-second KO and Usman Nurmagomedov callout
Paul Hughes sent fans into a frenzy in Belfast on Saturday, knocking out Bruno Miranda in 42 seconds before calling for a rematch with Usman Nurmagomedov. In Abu Dhabi in January, Hughes suffered a majority-decision loss to Nurmagomedov while challenging for the PFL lightweight title, as the Russian remained unbeaten. Hughes was desperate for an immediate rematch, but the 28-year-old was forced to stay busy with Saturday's bout against Miranda at the SSE Arena. Yet Miranda, 34, was no match for Hughes, who fights out of Northern Ireland but also carries Ireland's tricolour flag. Hughes caught a high kick with his left hand, before using that same hand to drop the Brazilian with a hook. 'Big News' followed up with ground and pound, quickly forcing a finish. With that, the crowd was sent into raptures, before Hughes screamed in his post-fight interview: 'Usman Nurmagomedov! You can run, you can try and delay this rematch as long as you want, but your day is f*****g coming.' The victory improved Hughes's professional record to 14-2, as he got back to winning ways after Nurmagomedov, 27, ended the Irishman's seven-fight win streak. Nurmagomedov is a cousin of UFC legend Khabib, who held that promotion's lightweight title until he retired as champion and with a flawless record in 2020.
Irish Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
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.
