AJ Mckee vs Paul Hughes

Paul Hughes Secures Career-Defining Victory Over AJ McKee at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants

Paul Hughes delivered the biggest win of his MMA career by defeating former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee in a thrilling split decision at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants. The lightweight clash was highly anticipated, especially given Hughes’ rapid rise through the ranks and McKee’s established credentials. For fans of MMA, boxing, kickboxing, and wrestling, this fight offered a perfect blend of striking, grappling, and tactical mastery.

Fight Breakdown

The fight kicked off with McKee, known for his dynamic striking and grappling skills, looking to dictate the pace by pressuring Hughes against the fence and firing off aggressive kicks. Despite McKee's early pressure, Hughes responded with sharp counter-strikes, landing a significant knee in the first round. In a critical moment before the round ended, Hughes connected with a powerful right hand that floored McKee, nearly ending the fight.

McKee, who came into the fight with a 4-0 record as a lightweight after moving up from featherweight, battled back in the second round. His wrestling and grappling experience showed as he tried to control Hughes, but the Irishman’s takedown defense and crisp combinations kept the fight competitive. Hughes’ striking was the difference-maker, as he consistently landed hooks and knees to keep McKee at bay.

As the fight entered the third and final round, both fighters had their moments. McKee sought to take the fight to the ground, relying on his wrestling to neutralize Hughes' striking. However, Hughes continued to fight off takedown attempts and connected with punches and combinations that solidified his performance. In the end, two out of the three judges scored the bout in Hughes’ favor, handing him a hard-fought split decision victory.

A Star on the Rise

Hughes’ win not only extends his win streak to seven but also marks his second major victory since signing with the PFL. Earlier this year, he made a statement by stopping Bobby King in the co-main event of Bellator Champions Series: Dublin, setting the stage for this high-profile matchup against McKee. For the 27-year-old from Northern Ireland, this victory puts him in contention for even bigger fights in the lightweight division.

The bout was significant, as it kicked off the pay-per-view portion of the PFL event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Fans expected McKee’s experience to be a deciding factor, but Hughes’ tenacity, striking precision, and defensive grappling proved too much for the former Bellator champion.

What’s Next for Hughes?

With this monumental win, Hughes may have positioned himself as a top contender for a shot at the undefeated Bellator lightweight champion, Usman Nurmagomedov. A matchup against Nurmagomedov could be on the horizon as Hughes continues to prove himself as one of the fastest-rising stars in MMA.

For AJ McKee, this defeat halts a four-fight win streak and marks only the second loss of his professional career, the first being a rematch with Bellator legend Patricio “Pitbull” Freire. However, McKee’s ability to battle back after nearly being finished in the first round proves he’s far from done in the lightweight division.

Hughes' victory over AJ McKee solidifies his status as a fighter to watch in MMA. With his striking ability, strong defense against takedowns, and ever-growing resume, Hughes is now on the path to potentially facing the elite in his division. Fans of boxing, kickboxing, and MMA will want to keep an eye on this rising star as he continues to make waves in the combat sports world.

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