Latest news with #PaulHughes
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov show their support for Belfast charity match
Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov are the latest former Premier League stars to sign up for a very special charity fundraising match in Belfast this Saturday. The ex-Red Devils will join the likes of Keith Gillespie, Wes Brown, Stiliyan Petrov and Jermaine Pennant to take on a Tea With Me FC side led by top comedian Shane Todd. With MMA stars Paul Hughes and Rhys McKee, boxer Sean McComb and former ring star Paddy Barnes lining out for the Tea With Me FC side there is a fighting theme to the opposition. READ MORE: Premier League legends heading to Belfast for charity showdown READ MORE: Rory McIlroy's petulant USPGA display suggests he still carries 'burden' and is far from carefree The two sides will battle it out at Seaview stadium this Saturday, May 24 and will be in aid of TAMHI (Tackling Awareness of Mental Health Issues). Giggs and Berbatov announced his inclusion in the Premier League XI in a special video on TAMHI's social media pages. "I'm delighted to say I'll be playing in the Premier League XI at Seaview on May 24th," Giggs. "Looking forward to seeing you, get yourself down there, you'll have a great time." Berbatov echoed those sentiments saying: "I'm delighted to announce I will be coming to Belfast to play for the Premier League XI...I'll see you there." legends match — TAMHI (@TAMHI2011) May 16, 2025 TAMHI head-coordinator Mickey Meehan told Belfast Live: "Other names confirmed are Jermaine Beckford and Tommy Johnson and we have a couple more in the pipeline. It is a great line-up so far and there are more big names to come. "Even the Tea With Me team is filled with stars people here will recognise. Shane Todd, actors from Blue Lights, we have Paddy Barnes and Sean McComb, and then Paul Hughes who is the big name in MMA right now, and Rhys McKee who recently fought in the UFC. "We are delighted with the interest so far, and hopefully people turn out in their numbers to support it." TAMHI are organising the match, with the support of Shane Todd's Tea With Me podcast. The Prize Guy is also backing the event. "Tickets are on sale now priced at £20 for adults and £12 for kids. They can be purchased from the Crusaders Football Club website," Mickey said. "That night there will also be a charity dinner at the Lansdowne Hotel, who are graciously giving us the rooms for free. Everyone has been a big support. "There will be things like a raffle on the night, and the Prize Guy is going to give away a massive prize, and that will only be available to people inside the stadium. I have been told what he is going to do, and it is special." Tickets for the game and charity dinner can be bought HERE Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox
Irish Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Our most famous person from our country apart from Bono is an MMA fighter'
Denis Frimpong believes Conor McGregor's fame is a huge reason for the growth of MMA in Ireland. A decade ago, McGregor was the biggest star in the World's premier MMA organisation, the UFC. Years before he morphed into an alcohol salesman and wannabe political commentator, the Dubliner was putting MMA on the map in this country. McGregor was the first Irish MMA star to really make a name for himself in the sport at the elite level. When he was at his peak, many of today's top Irish fighters such as Ian Garry and Paul Hughes were just starting to dip their toes into the sport as teenagers. Almost a decade on from his last MMA win of significance, McGregor is still the undisputed biggest name in the sport, especially here in Ireland. But while he sits on the sidelines, the current generation of Irish stars are achieving superstardom. "We have got what I call a culture of excellence in terms of MMA, where our biggest sports star, possibly our most famous person from our country, maybe apart Bono, is an MMA fighter," says Frimpong, who faces Arijan Topallaj at Oktagon 71 in Munich this weekend. "In terms of sports, there's no bigger sports star than Conor McGregor from Ireland ever, probably. "If our biggest sports stars an MMA fighter, it makes sense that our biggest sport should be MMA. And I think slowly we're working our way towards that." Continuing, he says: "It's the fastest growing sport. "You know, athletes, natural athletes that might have potentially gone down the rugby route, or down the boxing route, or down the Gaelic football route now are maybe going into MMA and I think that is developing the sport and the level of talent in our country, which I think is a really good thing. "I think that we are per capita, one of the most successful countries in the world, as far as MMA goes." With McGregor's exile from the sport showing no signs of ending, there is a gap at the top of the market for the next great Irish superstar to take the mantle, and Frimpong believes there is a clear frontrunner. "I think Paul Hughes is, I'll be honest, you know, I'm not that egotistical to think that I'm going to be next in line. "Paul Hughes is definitely ahead of me. Paul Hughes has been putting the work in for years. So he should be next up, and he's paving the way for myself, you know, and the rest of us behind him." But while he believes Hughes will be the next top star, he thinks Irish MMA should look to other countries and how they help each other get better like a team. "I think the rising tide lifts all ships. I don't think Irish fighters we should be competing with each other, thinking 'I'm the top Irish star or he's the top Irish star.' "I would like to train with Paul Hughes. I would like to get some rounds in, get some work in. Share ideas with him. I don't see him as a rival. I see him as a as a countryman and as as someone that I can work together with. "You see all these Dagestani fighters, probably the most successful fighters at the moment in terms of a nation. They don't really fight each other, you know, they help each other. "They avoid fighting each other where they can, and they all train together. So I think that's the culture that we should be building in Ireland, and I think that's the only way that we will maintain our position in where we are in the sport."
Calgary Herald
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
After detour, NHL players' gear makes it to kids in war-torn Ukrainian city
Article content It took quadruple overtime to arrive, but a batch of kids' hockey gear sent by NHL players has showed up at a Calgary-based charity in a heavily-bombed Ukrainian city. Article content Article content The package of sticks, gloves and jerseys was picked up Tuesday by a grateful Paul Hughes, who operates Helping Ukraine-Grassroots Support (HUGS) in Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city that lies 30 km from Russian troops' positions. Article content Article content A white Team Canada jersey included in the shipment has already been signed by soldiers – both Ukrainian and foreign legion members – who've been fighting Russian forces. Article content Article content 'It's quite a nice little package from these guys,' said Hughes, referring to the National Hockey League Players Association NHLPA) who made the donation. Article content 'It'll expand our program – we can do more (street) hockey.' Article content Among a number of tasks, HUGS operates children's programs ranging from sports to music to art and tech. A facility in Kharkiv catering to those activities was destroyed in a Russian drone attack last February but the charity has since found a new location. Article content Arranging the gift from the NHLPA was begun by Calgary ex-pat Bruce Callow, who has connections with the organization after helping coordinate other hockey donations to his current home in Costa Rica. Article content The idea for the Ukraine donation began a year ago, said Callow, and was originally intended for an orphanage in Lviv the country's west. Article content Article content 'As it turned out, the orphanage didn't have the logistics to receive it, it got held up in a customs warehouse and they shipped it by boat,' he said. Article content '(The NHLPA) people were terrific and really patient…I'm hoping they can get a cease-fire going so the kids can play outside in some kind of peace.' Article content The equipment was diverted to HUGS in Kharkiv in Ukraine's northeast and finally arrived four months after being first shipped, said Hughes, who can often be seen doing aid work clad in Calgary Flames colors. Article content It's a gift that reminds hard-pressed Ukrainians who've endured more than three years of full-on Russian invasion that they haven't been forgotten.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
In Belfast, Paul Hughes owned the night — and the nation
Paul Hughes needed just 42 seconds to establish himself as the face of Irish MMA on Saturday. (Jose Peí±uela / PFL) BELFAST, Northern Ireland — A blind man could have told you what nationality Paul Hughes was Saturday night at PFL Belfast. As the evening's featured attraction neared, Foy Vance's rendition of "Grace" — a ballad about Joseph Plunkett, a leader of the 1916 Easter Rising, marrying his love Grace Gifford hours before his execution — hit the assembly like a gut punch, transforming the chaos into a respectful chorus. Advertisement Hughes hit the ramp as soon as Nipsey Hussle's 'Victory Lap' hit the sound system. Men of a similar age poured themselves over metal barriers roaring words of encouragement as the Irishman prepared to fight in the same venue where he made his professional debut eight years before. Just before he hit the final check point, he turned back to his Fight Academy Ireland (FAI) coaches Liam Shannon and Pat McAlister, and his boxing coach Donard McNally. While Hughes was certainly the reason why the overwhelming majority of people had parted with their hard-earned money at the door, his brief pause felt like a nod to the hub that FAI has built in Belfast, on a night where it would be unequivocally heralded as the biggest MMA hotbed on the island. Advertisement The visiting headliner, Bruno Miranda, paced back and forth, stimulated by the energy in the venue. Hughes cut a stoic figure, completely still in prayer, preparation or otherwise. Paul Hughes enters the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Jose Peí±uela / PFL) (Jose Peí±uela) A group of four men wearing Paul Hughes t-shirts acted as my compass to the Common Market as soon as I touched down in Belfast. The doors of the famed Odyssey Complex venue hosting the event didn't open for another two hours but already hundreds of the Hughes faithful were gathered, being serenaded by folk singers and bursting into sporadic chants of 'Hughesy, Hughesy, Hughesy' whenever an opportunity presented itself. Advertisement Nobody was particularly concerned about Miranda, the Derry man's opponent. Each time they were asked for a prediction, Hughes' devotees would insist that the fight wouldn't leave the first round, some believed it wouldn't last a minute. 'Big News' confirmed his elite level in a close run bout with undefeated PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov in January, but tonight was about showing the world what he meant to his people. And it wasn't only Irish in the assembly — members of 'The Big News Crew' had ported in the town that built the Titanic from New York, London, Dubai and Glasgow, among others. A lull in the tunes signalled it was time to leave. Off they went in their droves, taking the 15-minute stroll past Sammy The Seal, The Big Fish, across The River Lagan, down Sydenham Road and into the Odyssey. Irish fans pack into the SSE Arena for PFL Belfast. (Carlos Vela / PFL) (Carlos Vela) Alan Philpott's placement in the co-main event felt like a sensible nod to the Northern Irish scene from the PFL. In the Ballymena man's corner was Rodney Moore, who had coached Norman Parke to a win under the same roof in one of the great All-Ireland clashes against Paul Redmond eight years before — the same night Hughes made his first bow. Advertisement It wasn't just them, as all around the arena were famed fighting Northmen. UFC's Rhys McKee took up his position beside the cage at the beginning of the event. Joe McColgan ran back and forth from the locker rooms to see his teammates compete, and back again to help prepare the next one for action. When the main card began, Caolan Loughran appeared cage side, soon to be announced as the PFL's latest signing. I wondered if David Patterson was there, one of the founding fathers of Irish MMA. Having been on the frontlines for the inception of the sport on the island, it must be a strange feeling to see a fledgling pro he once trained at Derry's Elite Fighting Revolution as the face of the national sport. The sound of a heartbeat suddenly pulsated through the speakers, mirroring the adrenaline that was coursing through the crowd. Vance appeared at centerstage and the first note he sang invited the gathering to join in. Irish singer-songwriter Foy Vance serenades Paul Hughes into the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Jose Peí±uela / PFL) (Jose Peí±uela) The roar that erupted from the crowd was like a burning building, each voice a gust of wind fanning the flames. Advertisement Miranda lay motionless as Hughes spiraled around with his hands on his head, eventually climbing atop the cage, savoring the moment as plastic beer cups soared through the air in celebration. He gave his audience their reward in just 42 seconds. Catching Miranda's kick with his left hand, he used the same limb to scoop the leg across before returning it to the Brazilian's jaw a split-second later. It was Hughes' night and the city moved all around him. What he created at PFL Belfast wasn't the sequel to previous glories, nor was his billing due to his proximity to storied legends who had come before him. No, the love he received from his people told the world: 'He is adored, he is elite — and he represents us.' Advertisement They bayed again when he made the inevitable call for his rematch with Nurmagomedov, a declaration that occupied headlines all over the world. The climax had come in the form of a Hughes victory, but the night was still young. Off they went in their droves, out of the Odyssey, up Sydenham Road, across the River Lagan, past The Big Fish and Sammy The Seal, and back to the Common Market to dance the night away.
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."
