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UKFC 22 | Connor Hughes ends regional run on top!
UKFC 22 was the final time we get to see Connor Hughes on the regional scene after beating undefeated black belt and tough fighter Everton Cruz.
This now sees Hughes extend his winning streak to 7 making it a clean-cut run to the big shows having already signed with PFL where he will see himself compete in Germany under the PFL banner.
Many fans even mainstream remain eager to see how Connor Hughes performs on such a stage but if his last bout is anything to go off of then it seems he is more than ready for the step up.
Connor Hughes’ pro career so far!
It was UKFC 14 where Hughes made his pro debut after a final amateur bout against Musa Christian who is also now a pro. Hughes was able to dispatch his opponent (Danny Tyler) in 2 mins and 56 seconds via TKO. Having already had hype around his name this was the beginning of what has been a great rise so far.
2-0 and 3-0 were more of the same beating Aaron Gray and Marcin Zembela both by RNC, a signature submission so far going on to make 4-0 another win via RNC. It was at the time of going 3-0 that everyone began to take notice of what Hughes was doing at pro being able to see the completion he faced early in his pro career and his extensive amateur career.
As mentioned 4-0 was an RNC and surprise… So was 5-0. Beating one Spanish fighter and one Brazilian fighter in Jocimer Ferreira. By now Hughes being signed was just a matter of when and not if with every fan in UK MMA taking notice.
And finally, 6-0 and 7-0 were the big tests of Hughes’ career. Both fighters were big tests and with them being passed with flying colors alongside the PFL signing it was confirmed that Hughes belonged and now all that is left to do is collect the £100,000 cheque from PFL.
News
Paul Hughes Gets New Opponent as Oduwole Out
Cage Warriors – Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation – have today announced a change in the scheduled opponent for Irish superstar Paul Hughes at Cage Warriors 170.
An injury occurring just days after he signed to fight Hughes has forced Yemi Oduwole out of the contest.
The promotion wishes him a speedy return to full health.
CW officials have moved quickly to secure a suitable replacement, today confirming that Hughes will remain on the Saturday, April 6th bill, now facing off with Edgar ‘Smooth’ Escarrega.
The bout will feature on the main card of CW 170 at Dublin’s iconic RDS, and air live on UFC Fight Pass and international broadcast partners.
The 29-year-old Escarrega, who hails from the port city of Ensenada in Baja California, Mexico, brings an impressive 12-3-1 record to the contest.
The Victory Fight Club man – who is a striker by trade – is unbeaten in his last six contests, and from twelve victories has a total of five KOs, two submissions and five points wins to his name.
“From Mexico to the world, here I come!” said Escarrega, when signing on the dotted line for what is undoubtedly the biggest opportunity of his professional career.
Hughes, from County Derry, is widely considered to be on the cusp of signing with the UFC following a series of impressive performances in the famous yellow gloves of Cage Warriors.
‘Big News’ recently vacated his featherweight title, moving up to the 155lb division to stop top contender Jan Quaeyhaegens in the first round.
Also scheduled for the CW 170 card, Dublin’s James ‘Jimbo Slice’ Sheehan contests the vacant welterweight title with Switzerland’s Daniel Konrad, with Ger Harris, Solomon Simon, Decky McAleenan, Taka Mhandu and more set to feature.
Interviews
“I Should Get The Shot” – Jacob Smith Wants World Title Fight If He Bests Denis Puric At ONE Fight Night 21
Fiery flyweight Muay Thai star Jacob Smith enjoyed a triumphant return to ONE Championship last December at ONE Fight Night 17 after 18 months on the sidelines.
The Scouse striker knocked out Walter Goncalves to gain momentum in the world’s largest martial arts organization, and he plans to add to it next month.
Smith returns to action against Bosnian-Canadian powerhouse Denis Puric at ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Saturday, 6th April, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
Fans anticipate a thunderous clash, as they are both known to finish fights. Smith feels he knows what to expect from Puric, and he plans to give him an unwelcome gift for his birthday.
“I’m either going to stop him with the knee or stop him with an elbow. I feel like the first round is going to be quite fiery. But if he decides to rush me too early, he’s going to walk into some big shots, so I could just finish him in round one,” he said.
“But I’m sure I’m fighting him on his 39th birthday. So, unfortunately, my birthday present is going to be me knocking him out.”
When Jacob Smith debuted in ONE Championship at May 2022’s ONE 157, he battled ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon across three rounds of hard-hitting action.
He came up short that night via unanimous decision, and a series of injuries forced him to take time away from action afterward. But that gap seemed to have allowed him level up his skill set.
Smith came back stronger than ever, and his first-round finish of Goncalves last December pegged him as one to watch. The #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender is hoping to score back-to-back wins against Puric next month, and he knows exactly what he wants if he’s successful.
“My goal is to be ONE Championship Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion, and fingers crossed by the end of the year that comes through,” Smith said.
“Rodtang is the champion, and Superlek is number one. After beating Walter, I’m now number two. Rodtang and Superlek are probably going fight each other again soon. Then I should get the shot at the winner after I beat Puric.”
News
UFC Vegas 89 – Results | Ribas vs Namajunas
Live from the Apex, UFC Vegas 89 saw former strawweight Rose Namajunas make her second appearance at flyweight against contender Amanda Ribas.
Note: any point deductions will be denoted by an asterisk and explained at the bottom of the page.
***
Main card (2am GMT – TNT Sports)
Rose Namajunas defeats (#8) Amanda Ribas via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) – flyweight bout
Karl Williams defeats Justin Tafa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout
Edmen Shahbazyan defeats AJ Dobson via knockout (punches – 4:43 – R1) – middleweight bout
Payton Talbott defeats Cameron Saaiman via TKO (punches – 0:21 – R2) – bantamweight bout
Youssef Zalal defeats Billy Quarantillo via submission (rear-naked-choke – 1:50 – R2) – featherweight bout
Fernando Padilla defeats Luis Pajuelo via submission (brabo choke – 2:45 – R1) – featherweight bout
Prelims (11pm GMT – TNT Sports/UFC Fight Pass)
Trey Ogden defeats Kurt Holobaugh via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – lightweight bout
Julian Erosa defeats Ricardo Ramos via submission (guillotine – 2:15 – R1) – featherweights bout
Miles John defeats Cody Gibson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – bantamweight bout
Jarno Errens defeats Steve Nguyen via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – featherweight bout
Darya Zheleznyakova defeats Monsterrat Rendon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – bantamweight bout
Andre Lima defeats Igor Severino via disqualification (biting – 2:52 – R2) – flyweight bout
Mick Parkin defeats Mohammed Usman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout
***
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