Dublin, Ireland – Paul Hughes, the rising star of Cage Warriors, is gearing up for a pivotal lightweight fight with Jan Quaeyhaegens, and he’s not alone on his journey to success. Hughes recently revealed how an inspirational meeting with none other than Conor McGregor, the two-weight world champion, has fueled his aspirations.
At 26 years old, Hughes is stepping into the lightweight class after securing the Cage Warriors featherweight title in November. McGregor, whose name is synonymous with two-weight world championships in both Cage Warriors and the UFC, provided Hughes with a dose of wisdom during their meeting in September.
Hughes, a native of County Derry, shared his experience with the media, stating,
“It was an unbelievable experience, it was very surreal. He definitely gave good advice, and I left that place inspired.”
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McGregor’s words of wisdom included a call to savor the journey and appreciate each moment as it passes swiftly. These words resonated with Hughes, who is determined to heed the advice.
While Hughes has been knocking on the doors of the UFC after his victory over Jordan Vucenic in November, he’s encountered hurdles in the form of injuries and visa complications that have delayed his ascent to the premier league of MMA.
With the fight against Belgium’s Quaeyhaegens on home turf, Hughes is hopeful that staying active and performing in front of his supporters will significantly bolster his chances of realizing his UFC dreams.
Hughes boasts an impressive professional record, winning nine out of his ten fights. His featherweight title win over Vucenic came following a controversial loss to the English fighter two years earlier.
“This is a huge fight on Saturday night. I’m fighting a very good guy, and this is the most important fight of my career, for sure,” Hughes emphasized.
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The MMA world has been abuzz with anticipation for Hughes’ UFC debut, and he shares that sentiment. “I believe I should be there, and that is where I will be, but I have to put this guy away on Saturday night, and once I do that, then I’ll see what options are there.”
While UFC opportunities have presented themselves before, they’ve remained elusive, but Hughes remains determined.
“The UFC is my number one priority. If the opportunity is there for the two belts, and the UFC doesn’t come calling, then that is absolutely what I’m going to do.”
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Hughes is not just aiming for success in one weight class; he has his sights set on emulating McGregor’s achievement as a two-weight world champion. As he prepares for his bout, the significance of reaching the UFC is not lost on him, especially as it aligns with the anniversary of his first MMA fight a decade ago.
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