Paul Hughes, a 27-year-old Irish fighter with only one PFL fight under his belt, eagerly accepted the challenge to face former Bellator champion A.J. McKee in an upcoming high-stakes bout, citing the opportunity for tough competition and significant financial rewards as key reasons for joining the PFL over the UFC.
Paul Hughes was ready for this moment. Despite having only one fight since joining the PFL, the 27-year-old Irish prospect didn’t hesitate when he got the call to face former Bellator champion A.J. McKee. This opening bout on Saturday’s pay-per-view card in Saudi Arabia is a big deal. Jumping into the deep end against such an experienced opponent might seem daunting, especially since McKee boasts more career finishes (14) than Hughes has total fights (13).
But for Hughes, facing competition like McKee now is precisely why he signed with the PFL. “This is exactly what I called for whenever I came into the PFL,” Hughes told MMA Fighting. He wanted the toughest, most entertaining fights to thrill the fans. His debut was a good scrap, and fans were happy. Now, it’s just another step up.
Hughes knows he’s stepping into the cage as a significant underdog. And he gets it—McKee’s been one of Bellator’s top fighters for years. McKee’s only loss was a close decision against Patricio Pitbull, an opponent he defeated in under two minutes in their first meeting. Since moving to lightweight, McKee’s undefeated with a 4-0 record.
“You put our records up against each other,” Hughes acknowledged, “I’m a huge underdog.” But he’s been saying for months that he’s one of the best fighters on the planet. He’s mixed it up with top guys in training and knows his capabilities. Hughes believes he’s a born competitor who rises to the occasion.
The higher the pressure, the better Hughes performs—he’s proven it throughout his career. He’s fought five-round world title fights and delivered every time. Now it’s just a bigger stage, which means a better performance from him.
Getting McKee in just his second PFL fight justified Hughes’ decision to pass on a UFC offer earlier this year. Money and opportunity topped his list of reasons for choosing PFL, and both are paying off with this fight.
“I knew deep down it was the right call,” Hughes explained. He didn’t expect things to pay off so quickly but is thrilled with how life-changing it all is. The bonus on top of his usual contract for this fight is well-deserved.
In June, after his PFL debut win, Hughes planned to call out Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov. However, Nurmagomedov already had a fight booked then.
If Hughes gets through McKee on Saturday, nothing stops him from asking for that fight next. “This is exactly how I envisioned it,” Hughes said. Everything he asked for has happened—his expectations exceeded—and it’s an unbelievable time for him.