CAREER NOTES

After a 6-2 amateur run that saw him win the Clan Wars amateur featherweight championship twice, “Big News” turned pro in 2017. He won his 1st 6 fights, all by stoppage, before suffering the lone loss of his career: a split decision to Jordan Vucenic in 2020. He redeemed himself in the rematch vs. Vucenic in 2022, defeating him to capture the Cage Warriors Featherweight title. He went 8-1 in Cage Warriors. Hughes played Gaelic football and hurling while growing up. He grew up in County Derry, one of the six counties of Northern Ireland. He now fights out of Belfast. Prior to signing with the PFL, Hughes was one of the most sought-after European prospects in all of MMA. On why he signed with the PFL, Hughes told Ariel Helwani,” It’s pretty simple, they had the best offer.”