Paul Hughes was prepared for this.
Regardless of solely a single combat since becoming a member of the PFL in free company, the 27-year-old Irish prospect didn’t blink when he bought the decision to face former Bellator champion A.J. McKee within the opening bout on the upcoming pay-per-view card on Saturday from Saudi Arabia. In fact leaping within the deep finish in opposition to a vastly skilled opponent may look like an excessive amount of, too quickly, particularly contemplating McKee has extra profession finishes (14) than Hughes has complete fights (13).
However Hughes says getting the possibility to face competitors like McKee now somewhat than later is precisely why he signed with the PFL within the first place.
“That is precisely what I known as for at any time when I got here into the PFL,” Hughes informed MMA Preventing. “I stated I would like essentially the most entertaining fights, the toughest fights and I wish to placed on exhibits for the followers. That’s precisely what’s happening right here. I believe I did a reasonably good job in my debut. It was a reasonably good scrap. Followers have been pleased sufficient and this one is simply one other step up.
“Now I’m form of in that place the place I’ve bought the chance to combat among the finest on the planet and show what I’ve been saying for the final yr — I’m among the finest fighters on the planet.”
Hughes doesn’t doubt that he’ll set foot within the cage as a large underdog and he understands that narrative given McKee’s historical past as one of many high fighters in Bellator for the previous few years.
McKee has solely tasted defeat as soon as in his profession and that was an in depth resolution in opposition to Patricio Pitbull — an opponent he vanquished in lower than two minutes throughout their first encounter. Since transferring to light-weight, McKee is undefeated with an ideal 4-0 report together with a lightning fast submission win over perennial PFL contender Clay Collard again in February.
“You set our data up in opposition to one another, you take a look at the expertise AJ has in opposition to a number of the greatest on the planet for a lot of, a few years, on paper, I’m an enormous, big underdog coming into this combat,” Hughes acknowledged. “However look there’s a purpose for the final 12 months I’ve been saying I’m among the finest on the planet proper now. I’ve blended it up with a number of the greatest guys on the planet in coaching. I do know my ability degree. I do know my capabilities. I do know I’m a born competitor. You set me in there in opposition to anyone, I’ll win. I rise to the event.
“The proof that I’ve all through my profession, the upper stress the combat, the larger the event, the higher that I carry out. That’s simply not me saying that’s what’s going to occur. I’ve proof of that occuring. I’ve been there and executed it. I’ve fought 5 spherical world title fights. I’ve carried out each single time. Now it’s simply the subsequent step up. It’s a much bigger stage however for me which means a greater efficiency on my behalf.”
Getting McKee in simply his second combat with PFL additionally additional justified Hughes’ resolution to move on a proposal from the UFC when he hit free company earlier this yr.
He laid out a mess of the reason why he selected the PFL however cash and alternative sit on the high of that record and each are paying off with this combat.
“I knew deep down once I made the choice it was the suitable name,” Hughes defined. “I knew it was going to repay for me. I didn’t fairly anticipate it to repay so rapidly, by way of how huge the fights are, how huge the occasions are but additionally how life altering the cash is. I’m getting a bonus on high of my traditional contract for this combat. Sure, I deserve it, I’m preventing one of the harmful fighters on the planet on an enormous card. However my life has utterly modified within the final six months. It’s unbelievable.
“It will take many, a few years [in the UFC] to have the ability to get to the place that I’m monetarily with the PFL. I knew it was going to be the suitable resolution. It’s simply paid off how I assumed it could.”
Following his debut win in PFL in June, Hughes truly deliberate on calling out Bellator light-weight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, however the undefeated Russian already had a combat booked at that time.
There’s nothing stopping Hughes from asking for that combat if he will get by way of McKee on Saturday, which is another excuse why he was so excited to get this supply.
“That is precisely how I envisioned it,” Hughes stated. “It’s truly enjoying out. Typically you goal for the celebrities and you find yourself on the moon. This one, I’ve ended up within the stars. Precisely what I requested for has occurred. Once I signed with the PFL, my expectations have been exceeded and it’s an unbelievable time.”
