Paul Hughes, a prominent Irish fighter, is set to headline PFL Europe`s inaugural event of the year on May 10th, facing Bruno Miranda. Intriguingly, Miranda observed Hughes` development long before his professional debut.
Hughes gained recognition as a Cage Warriors champion before joining Bellator, where he defeated AJ McKee Jr. and subsequently lost a close majority decision to Usman Nurmagomedov under the PFL banner. Bruno “Robusto” Miranda, an experienced fighter with 22 MMA bouts plus numerous kickboxing and Muay Thai fights, noted Hughes` achievements. It was through mutual friends that the connection was made: Miranda and Hughes had trained at the same facility in Thailand years prior.
Having resided in Phuket for more than ten years, Miranda clearly recalls seeing Hughes train there in 2016 when Hughes was still an amateur MMA competitor.
“I recall us training together at Tiger Muay Thai; he was quite young back then,” Miranda stated. “I`m pleased to be fighting him now; he`s someone I respect. Witnessing his progression makes it a true honor to be featured in this main event against him in Ireland, a country with a fighting culture akin to Brazil`s.”
The anticipation surrounding Hughes intensified following his contentious loss to Nurmagomedov in January. Miranda views their upcoming bout as a “significant opportunity.” While he doesn`t believe an upset win guarantees an immediate shot at the lightweight championship, he acknowledges it would significantly elevate his standing within the MMA world.
“He`s built a strong career, and his previous fight was excellent,” Miranda commented. “Personally, I believe he won, but that`s behind us. My purpose is to defy expectations and defeat the favorite. It genuinely is an honor; I hold immense respect for him and the people of Ireland. I plan to arrive with profound respect but also with intense aggression to secure the win.”
“I intend to be a persistent challenge for him,” he added. “I`m not making plans beyond this fight. My focus is entirely on the present, aiming to be a difficult opponent and clinch the victory. A potential title opportunity might arise, but I prefer to take things one step at a time. Anything that follows is a bonus. My primary objective is defeating him. I`ll be content with whatever the PFL presents to me afterward.”
Miranda`s last fight in June 2024 saw him secure a decision victory over former Bellator lightweight champion Patricky Pitbull, recovering from consecutive losses against PFL champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier and former Bellator titleholder Brent Primus. He stated his intention to challenge Hughes` striking abilities when they meet at the SSE Arena in Belfast.
“Every fight is distinct, and each matchup is unique,” Miranda commented. “I cannot compare myself to his previous opponent due to differing styles, but he`s known for applying pressure – which suits me perfectly. I maintain an aggressive approach throughout my fights, and I`m eager to see how he manages the pressure when confronted by a genuine striker like myself.”
