Paul Hughes, a prominent Irish fighter, is set to headline the initial PFL Europe event of the year on May 10th, facing Bruno Miranda. Interestingly, Miranda observed Hughes training long before he turned professional.
Hughes gained prominence as a Cage Warriors champion. He later signed with Bellator, defeated AJ McKee Jr., and then fought a very close majority decision loss to champion Usman Nurmagomedov under the PFL banner. Miranda, known as “Robusto,” is a seasoned fighter with 22 MMA fights and numerous kickboxing and muay thai bouts. His friends noted Hughes`s success within PFL and recalled that he and Hughes had previously trained together in Thailand.
Having resided in Phuket for over ten years, Miranda distinctly remembers seeing Hughes train there in 2016 when the Irish fighter was competing as an amateur in MMA.
Miranda recalled, “I remember us training together at Tiger, and he was quite young back then.” He added, “I`m happy to face him now; he`s someone I admire. I`ve witnessed his development, so it`s truly an honor to be in this main event against him in Ireland, a country with a fighting culture similar to Brazil.”
Hughes`s popularity only increased following the controversial January loss to Nurmagomedov. With fans eager for an immediate rematch, Miranda views facing Hughes as “a massive opportunity.” The Brazilian fighter believes that while an upset win might not guarantee an immediate title shot, it would significantly elevate his standing within the MMA community.
“He`s had a strong career, and his last bout was excellent,” stated Miranda. “Personally, I believe he won that fight. But my focus is on defying expectations and defeating the favorite. It`s genuinely an honor; I have great respect for him and the whole Irish nation. I will arrive with the highest respect, ready to unleash my intensity and secure the win.”
He continued, “I intend to be a difficult challenge for him.” Miranda emphasized, “I`m not looking past this fight; I have no specific expectations for what comes after. However, I aim to be that challenge and claim the victory. While a title shot is potentially possible, I prefer to focus on one step at a time. Anything that follows is a bonus. My primary objective is simply to defeat him. I`ll be content with whatever opportunity PFL presents afterward.”
In his most recent outing in June 2023, Miranda secured a decision victory over former Bellator lightweight champion Patricky Pitbull. This win followed consecutive losses to PFL champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier and former Bellator champion Brent Primus. Miranda intends to test Hughes`s striking abilities when they meet at the SSE Arena in Belfast.
“Every fight is distinct, and each pairing is unique,” Miranda stated. “I can`t compare my style to his previous opponents because the matchups are different. However, he`s a fighter who applies pressure, which I appreciate. I maintain an aggressive approach throughout the fight, and I`m eager to see how he responds to facing a genuine striker.”
Percy Harlow