Connor Hughes has certainly sent a clear message to his rivals in the PFL lightweight division.
During the featured fight at PFL Belfast on Saturday, Hughes faced Sebastien Di Franco. The emerging English fighter showcased arguably the best performance of his developing career, rendering Di Franco unconscious with a devastating right hook in the second round.
Hughes established control early in the bout with his sharp striking and effective low kicks. The decisive moment arrived in the second round when he landed a precise right hook that found its way through Di Franco`s defense, instantly dropping him and securing the stoppage.
This victory is particularly significant for Hughes, who finished as the runner-up in the 2024 PFL Europe lightweight championship, having lost to Jakub Kaszuba in last year`s final. By defeating Di Franco, Hughes now advances to the semifinals of the 2025 PFL Europe lightweight championship tournament, where he is scheduled to compete against Gino van Steenis in his next bout.
