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- ‘Big News’ Hughes first Bellator appearance will be against Hawaii’s Bobby King, Saudi-backed PFL announces
- Bellator Welterweight Champion Jason Jackson defends title against undefeated Ramazan Kuramagomedov
NEW YORK: The Professional Fighters League has announced that Ireland’s Paul Hughes (11-1) will make his promotional debut against Hawaii’s Bobby King (12-6) in a Lightweight bout on Saturday, June 22 at Bellator Champions Series at 3Arena in Dublin.
Bellator Champions Series Dublin is headlined by Welterweight World Champion Jason Jackson (18-4) facing undefeated Ramazan Kuramagomedov (12-0), and the stacked fight card also features a Women’s Featherweight clash between two former title challengers, when Ireland’s Sinead Kavanagh (9-6) takes on Australia’s Arlene Blencowe (15-10).
A Bantamweight No. 1 contender matchup is also on the docket, as Kasum Kasumov (15-1) of Russia goes toe-to-toe with Brazil’s Matheus Mattos (14-2-1). At Middleweight, undefeated Hungarian Norbert Novenyi Jr. (7-0) will look to remain undefeated when he faces American Top Team’s Dalton Rosta (8-1). A previously announced contest pitting Peter Queally against Yancy Medeiros has been scrapped from the card.
At 27 years old, Hughes accomplished everything possible on the regional stage before entering free agency, and was sought after by every major mixed martial arts promotion on the planet before choosing to join PFL. A former Cage Warriors Featherweight champion prior to making the leap to Lightweight, Hughes has won eight of his 11 professional wins via stoppage and now will try his hand against Bobby King when he competes on June 22.
A six-fight veteran of Bellator, King proudly hails from Hawaii and has faced some of the toughest tests Bellator’s Lightweight division has to offer, facing names the likes of Alexander Shabliy and Gadzhi Rabadanov.
The 2024 Bellator Champions Series schedule is as follows:
- Friday, May 17 — Bellator Champions Series Paris — Accor Arena
- Saturday, June 22 — Bellator Champions Series Dublin — 3Arena
- Saturday, Sept. 7 — Bellator Champions Series San Diego — Pechanga Arena
- Saturday, Sept. 14 — Bellator Champions Series London — OVO Wembley
- Saturday, Oct. 12 — Bellator Champions Series Chicago — Wintrust Arena
- Saturday, Nov. 16 — Bellator Champions Series Paris — ADIDAS Arena
- Tuesday, Dec. 31 – Bellator Champions Series – TBD
Updated Bellator Champions Series Dublin main card:
Welterweight World Title bout: C-Jason Jackson (18-4) vs. Ramazan Kuramagomedov (12-0)
Lightweight bout: Paul Hughes (11-1) vs. Bobby King (12-6)
Women’s Featherweight bout: Sinead Kavanagh (9-6) vs. Arlene Blencowe (15-10)
Middleweight bout: Norbert Novenyi Jr. (7-0) vs. Dalton Rosta (8-1)
Bantamweight No. 1 Contender bout: Kasum Kasumov (15-1) vs. Matheus Mattos (14-2-1)
Light Heavyweight bout: Simeon Powell (9-1) vs. Abdullah Er-Ramy (7-1)
Bantamweight bout: Brian Moore (16-10) vs. Francesco Nuzzi (10-1)
Bantamweight bout: Sarvarjon Khamidov (15-0) vs. Marcirley Alves (12-3)
Featherweight bout: Nathan Kelly (10-2) vs. Fabacary Diatta (9-1)
Women’s Featherweight bout: Olena Kolesnyk (9-6) vs. Sara Collins (5-0)
Women’s Featherweight bout: Michelle Montague (4-0) vs. Karolina Sobek (4-2)