Paul Hughes signs for PFL MMA before revealing why he turned down UFC contract offer

Hughes revealed that he turned down an offer from the UFC before penning a deal for PFL MMA

Niall McGrath, Digital JournalistPublished: 17:37, 22 Apr 2024Updated: 17:38, 22 Apr 2024

IRISH MMA star Paul Hughes has signed for Professional Fighers League.

The now former Cage Warriors featherweight champion announced the news via social media over the weekend.

Paul Hughes penned a deal with PFL MMACredit: DOLLY CLEW – CAGEWARRIORS

Conor McGregor’s next opponent Mike Chandler had high praise for Hughes after training with him at KillCliff MMACredit: instagram – @paulhughesmma

11-1-0 Hughes is coming off a win against Fabiano Silva just two week’s ago in a 160lbs catchweight bout.

The Lavey native tested free agency after the fight as his contract was up with the Graham Boylan run promotion, and he was snapped up within two weeks as he announced a deal with the Saudi-backed organisation.

But the FAI product revealed that he turned down an offer from the UFC before penning a deal for PFL MMA.

26-year-old Hughes burst on to the Irish MMA scene in 2017 after a stunning professional debut at BAMMA 28 – and has made waves ever since.

The Irishman claims that he wasn’t happy with the Dana White run promotion’s offer before saying the PFL knew his value.

He said: “Definitely not a meaningful offer.

“They came in with an offer, you know, but I know my value in this game.

“And PFL are aware of my value in this game and they are willing to invest in me and that is why — people think it would be a hard decision – it was the easiest decision in my life.

“If you weigh up the contracts, it’s a very easy decision to go join the PFL tournament.”

As within the contractual terms of his PFL deal – Hughes will fight three times in 2024 and will gain entry to both the 2025 and 2026 PFL lightweight tournaments.

The winner of the tournament will bag $1 million.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Derry star added: “To have a promotion like the PFL snap me up so quickly after testing free agency is just a testament to them.

“They obviously believe in me, they believe in my skills, and look — at the end of the day I’m the best in the world so they’re quite right to pick me up.

“I’m happy I’ve reached a deal with them after less than two weeks since I fought. So, I’m incredibly excited right now.

“The PFL million dollar tournament is in my opinion undeniably one of the hardest competitions in all of sports.

“It’s four fights in the span of a 10 month period fighting for the ultimate glory – a million dollars and a world title.

“It’s an easy sell, man. I believe I’m the best in the world, I believe I have all the skills, and I believe that I will be a millionaire by the end of next year.”

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