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Pro Fighters League Announces New Fight Between AJ McKee and Paul Hughes in “Battle of the Giants”
New York (September 15, 2024)
The Professional Fighters League has announced another exciting new fight for the upcoming “Battle of the Giants” main card, which will take place on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at “Meydan” in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
The main card competitions will begin with a lightweight bout between former Bellator featherweight world champion AJ McKee (22-1), who will face what he calls the toughest opponent of his career in champion Paul Hughes (12-1). McKee holds the longest winning streak in Bellator history with 18 wins, as he faces the Irishman who many consider the best lightweight talent in the world.
The PFA has added this fight to an exclusive card headlined by undisputed MMA world heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou (17-3), who returns to the cage after a lengthy absence.
He will face PFA heavyweight champion Renan “Problema” Ferreira (13-3, 3 NC), a towering 6’8” who defeated Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader in just 21 seconds last February at the Pro Fighter Champions vs. Bellator Champions event in Riyadh.
The co-main event will also feature another world title clash, as the greatest female MMA fighter of all time Cris Cyborg (27-2, 1 NC) defends her title against PFA two-weight champion Larissa Pachko (23-4), who is looking to prove she is the best in the world.
The event will take place at the state-of-the-art cultural arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which hosts major national and international events and activities in the heart of the capital, making it the perfect venue for this mega event “Battle of the Giants”.
In addition, tickets for the event are now on sale and can be purchased via the WeBook app via this link.
The “Battle of the Giants” show will be broadcast live on Saturday, October 19 on ESPN+ PPV in the United States and DAZN worldwide.
AJ McKee vs. Paul Hughes – Lightweight Main Card
AJ McKee has been associated with the Bellator brand since signing with the organization at the age of 20 in 2015, and has achieved many accomplishments during his 23-fight career with the organization, including winning the featherweight title. McKee has achieved victories over great fighters such as Patricio Pitbull, Darren Caldwell, Pat Karan and others. McKee has the second-highest number of wins in Bellator history and the longest winning streak to start a career at 18-0. Paul Hughes, 27, has done everything possible regionally before entering the free agency window, while every major MMA organization has offered him deals worldwide before he opted to join the PFA. Hughes was the Cage Warriors featherweight champion before moving up to lightweight, and is on a six-fight winning streak. Eight of his 12 wins have come by submission, with his last coming against Bobby King in his Bellator Champions Series debut in Dublin.
“Battle of the Giants” Main Card:
ESPN+ PPv USA | DAZN Global
Riyadh Arena, Saudi Arabia – Saturday, October 19
Early Card: 1:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. KSA
Main Card: 4:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 p.m. KSA
Heavyweight Main Event:
Francis Ngannou (17-3) vs. Renan Ferreira (13-3, 3 NC)
Women’s Featherweight Co-Main Event:
Cris “Cyborg” (27-2) vs. Larissa Pacheco (23-4)
*Lightweight Bout:
AJ McKee (22-1) vs. Paul Hughes (12-1)
