Paul Hughes on Choosing PFL Over UFC: 'It Was Just a Way Better Offer'

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— Paul Hughes MMA (@paulhughesmma) April 29, 2024

Coveted mixed martial arts prospect Paul Hughes claims the choice between the Professional Fighters League and the Ultimate Fighting Championship was a no-brainer for him.

After fighting out his Cage Warriors Fighting Championship contract with a first-round knockout win over Fabiano Silva last month, Hughes briefly explored free agency before signing with the PFL. “Big News” recently explained that while the UFC had an offer on the table, it stood no comparison to the PFL’s.

“It [the choice] wasn’t really difficult, to be honest, at all. [The PFL’s offer] was just a lot better, a lot better," Hughes said on "The MMA Hour". “They [the UFC] had an offer but it just wasn’t… No, it wasn’t [a Contender Series offer], it was mentioned but it wasn’t concrete and that was it. It [the PFL’s] was just a way better offer, it was just a real no-brainer.”

While the PFL has declared themselves industry co-leaders after the company acquired Bellator, the UFC remains the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion. Hughes revealed that while there has been no dearth of detractors over his choice, they have mostly been those unaware of the intricacies of the sport.

“Some people were super disappointed. But the people who are actually in the industry or the people who actually know me were absolutely over the moon. So, it’s the people who don’t really know the ins and outs and pay and all these kinds of things. They be like, ‘Oh we want to see him in the UFC.’ It’s because they watched the UFC on Saturday and they want to see me in there as well. But they don’t know the ins and outs. But as the time has went on the more and more happy I’ve been with my decision, to be honest. I’m honestly over the moon, absolutely over the moon… People have been saying everything, they’ve been saying everything, but I knew that was gonna be the case whenever I signed, so doesn’t bother me at all.”

Hughes is scheduled to make his promotional debut against Bobby King (12-6) at the Bellator Champions Series in Dublin on June 22. The Irishman already has a callout planned after a potential win along with his career trajectory in the promotion for the next five years.

“Yes, it’s part of the 2024 plan, there’s a plan. Trust me, I didn’t come here to just make noise or to just take easy fights. I came here to f—-ing takeover and to change the game in the PFL,” he said. “Truly that’s what’s I came here to do. Tournaments, but this as well. I’ve got a one-year plan, I’ve got a two-year plan, I’ve got a three-year plan. And the one-year plan people are gonna see on June 22 after I knock this guy out, who I call for next.”