Paul Hughes Cleans Bruno Miranda’s Clock in 42 Seconds at 2025 PFL Europe 1

42 SECONDS IS ALL IT TOOK 😱

WHAT A HOMECOMING FOR PAUL HUGHES!#PFLBelfast | LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/kuOwUPHvSg

— PFL (@PFLMMA) May 10, 2025

It only took 42 seconds for Paul Hughes to remind the world why he’s the face of Irish mixed martial arts.

The Belfast native put a swift beatdown on Bruno Miranda to cap off the 2025 PFL Europe 1 main event from SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Coming off a narrow loss to Bellator MMA lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, Hughes (14-2) could’ve opted to wait for Nurmagomedov to give him his well-deserved rematch, but instead, he decided to give his hometown fans the show they’ve come to expect over the years. Miranda was outclassed and out of his depth and Hughes didn’t even break a sweat, but Nurmagomedov might be after Hughes called him out post-fight.

“Your day is fu*king coming!” Hughes belted toward the champion.

McGrillen-Evans Seeks Repeat

Lewis McGrillen-Evans is one of the most exciting fighters to come out of the PFL Europe banner, and once again proved why he’s a can’t-miss prospect.

After winning the bantamweight tournament last season, McGrillen-Evans took his first steps toward another title run with a second-round rear-naked choke of Alan Philpott (3:17). McGrillen-Evans is known for coming out guns blazing, and that was the case in the co-main event. Philpott (2 1-17, 1 NC) looked to tag and counter, but was forced to scrap to hold off the pressure of the “McGrizzler,” but what he didn’t expect was the Manchester Top Team product to show impressive scrambles. With Philpott looking to come forward in the second round, McGrillen-Evans switched gears and lifted Philpott above his head before dumping him in the center of the cage. Disoriented, Phillpott looked to defend but gave up his back, giving McGrillen-Evans his first submission win of his career.

Related » 2025 PFL Europe 1 Round-by-Round Scoring

Hughes Decimates Di Franco

There were several thrilling finishes on Saturday’s card, but Connor Hughes likely stole the show with his one-shot knockout of Sebastien Di Franco.

After swelling Di Franco’s leg like a balloon in the first round, Hughes went into the second stanza looking to go home early and got his wish. With matrix-like timing, Hughes countered Di Franco’s jab with a lightning-fast right hand, sending the Belgian flat on his back and out cold at the 2:46 mark. Hughes (11-2) fell short of PFL Europe gold last year, but he storms into the semifinals riding the high of one of the year's best knockouts.

Van Steenis Outworks McAleenan

Tied at a round apiece heading into the final round, Gino van Steenis overcame local favorite Declan McAleenan to secure his spot in the lightweight semifinals.

Thanks to his busy work rate on the ground, all three judges had it 29-28 for the MMA Valaardingen product. van Steenis is the younger brother of PFL contender Costello van Steenis, but is starting to make a name for himself after improving to 6-1.

Khan Denies McCormac

Haider Khan outwrestled local Irishman Sean McCormac in a 194-pound catchweight bout en route to a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).

McCormac was the busier fighter on the feet early, but “Darth” was the dominant fighter on the ground. McCormac was smothered like a Pillsbury biscuit on the canvas, and the third round zapped his gas tank. The performance was far from impressive, and Khan missing weight wasn’t ideal, but the win improved his record to 10-1.

Chizovs Rebounds Against Ewen

It’s been a long time since Aleksandrs Chizovs had a great day in the cage. After storming out to a 10-1 record, the highly touted Latvian lost his momentum and confidence on a two-fight skid that kept him winless for nearly three years.

None of that would matter on Saturday as Chizovs secured a huge statement win with a first-round TKO over Mark Ewen (1:33). Chizovs (11-3) wasted little time taking control of center cage and kept Ewen (6-2) off balance with his reach. Ewen looked to close the distance and take back ground, but he was met by a Chizovs’ long left hook that buckled him to his knees and forced the referee Derek Hickey to stop the fight.

Chizovs broke down in the cage after he realized his skid was over, but now must turn his head to a lightweight semifinal showdown with Claudio Pacella.

Pacella Advances to Semis

Pacella punched his ticket to the PFL Europe lightweight semifinals after a hard-fought decision over wild vet Gavin Hughes (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).

Pacella and Hughes fought like two dogs locked in a phone booth. They stayed in each other’s chest and traded shots for all three rounds, but Pacella’s body work and hand speed separated him in the exchanges. Since losing his PFL debut last year, Pacella (6-2) has reeled off three straight wins and could emerge as a potential darkhorse in the tournament.

Despite the gritty performance and an incredible walkout to Pink Floyd’s iconic “Time,” the 37-year-old Hughes (11-5) will have to rebuild yet again after losing four of his last five.

Surging Sheridan Builds on Hype

Lanky Eoin Sheridan brought the Belfast fans to their feet with an impressive first-round demolition job of Malichi Edwards. The 6-foot-5 inch Irish welterweight dropped the Manchester native with a perfectly-timed check left hook and mauled him on the canvas until the fight was halted at the 1:53 mark of the first round.

Sheridan (3-0) has shined early in his career. Blessed with height, reach and power, the SBG Ireland prospect poses a unique threat to the welterweight division.

Auld Rallies to Dispatch of Luxton

Gemma Auld was bloodied, bruised and busted up after the first round of her flyweight clash against English fan favorite Sammy Jo Luxton.

Luxton, an accomplished muay thai fighter, used her striking prowess to piece up the Scot throughout the opening stanza, but lacked the all-around game to keep Auld off her back. Auld ate the shots, but closed the distance in round two and put Luxton on the mat. After climbing Luxton’s back, Auld administered some nasty ground-and-pound until the Manchester Top Team prospect left her neck open.

Auld (2-0) seized her opportunity and sunk in a rear-naked choke (2:43) to pull off the upset comeback victory.

McLaughlin Bloodied, But Not Beaten

Irish featherweight prospect Corey McLaughlin (1-1) picked up his first pro win after a gritty three-round scrap against Etrirea’s Nahom Wedi (0-1).

The fight started slow, but McLaughlin’s leg kicks and fast hands gained him a two-round lead on the scorecards. Wedi would close the gap and open a nasty gash over McLaughlin’s eye in the third round with a flurry of elbows. McLaughlin turned the tide with a late takedown and finished the fight strong with ground-and-pound. Despite the bloody eye, McLaughlin was awarded the unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27).