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Hughes In Victory Vow As Pfl Makes Belfast Return
Paul Hughes is promising to win in "devastating fashion" after his rise to MMA prominence led to the Professional Fighters League (PFL) returning to Belfast for Saturday's bill.
The Derry man will headline against dangerous Brazilian Bruno Miranda at the SSE Arena after making his professional debut at the venue over eight years ago in February 2017.
Hughes will be having his first contest since narrowly losing to Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov in a thrilling contest in Dubai in January.
"It feels very special that I have effectively dragged the PFL back here," Hughes told BBC Sport NI.
"I think when the PFL see what we can bring here in Belfast, we are a fighting people and they'll want to come back every year and why wouldn't they?
"Especially with the noise on Saturday night and the performance that I am going to put in, I would love to see it in the schedule every year."
Hughes rose to MMA stardom in the aftermath of his contentious defeat by Nurmagomedov but knows he needs an impressive performance on Saturday to boost his hopes of getting a rematch with the Bellator champion.
"I want to make this something people won't forget, it is really important for me to do this in really good fashion.
"Not just to win but to do it in devastating fashion and something that is viral in trying to build a rematch with Usman Nurmagomedov. So that's the plan to do something special on Saturday night."
Hughes added: "It's definitely bigger than the last time and I think it is the biggest fight that the PFL can make and it's one of the biggest in the whole MMA world right now.
"All parties want it, well Usman's party maybe doesn't want it and they're trying to delay it but is going to happen and I foresee it happening this year and it's going to be out of this world."
Despite the potential for a blockbuster rematch with Nurmagomedov, the county Derry man knows he'll have to be at his best when he gets into the octagon on Saturday night.
"Bruno Miranda is a very dangerous opponent, he hits hard, he kicks hard and he's someone I absolutely have to be on my game for on Saturday night."
