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MMA

'I'm a big fan of his!' - Paul Hughes reveals MMA inspiration ahead of Battle of the Giants bout

'I'm a big fan of his!' - Paul Hughes reveals MMA inspiration ahead of Battle of the Giants boutPFL
The Northern Irishman will head to Saudi Arabia in October as part of a massive pay-per-view fight card.

Paul Hughes has expressed his delight at joining Francis Ngannou's PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants fight card, calling it "a great privilege".

The Northern Irishman will face A. J. McKee on the undercard of the pay-per-view clash, set to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, October 19.

It will mark his second PFL fight since he made the switch from Cage Warriors in April, having earned his first win over Bobby King in June.

Speaking ahead of the bout, Hughes acknowledged that he was honoured to feature on the same bill as Ngannou, who will meet Renan Ferreira atop the bill.

"One hundred percent, I'm a big fan of his," he told DAZN . "To fight on his card is a great privilege. [He is] a great fighter, [with] an unbelievable story."

Hughes did not deny the prospect of following in Ngannou's footsteps with a temproary switch from MMA to boxing too, after the heavyweight made the leap in 2023.

Ngannou fought back-to-back bouts with Tyson Fury and Joshua in Riyadh, and his fellow fighter could be persuaded to try his luck there too.

"Absolutely [I would consider it]," he added. "Why not. I live in very much a boxing city in Belfast. It's not something I would ever rule out for sure."

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