Brazilian mixed martial arts veteran Bruno Miranda is set to headline PFL Europe`s upcoming card on May 10th, facing Irish standout Paul Hughes. This bout carries a unique narrative, as Miranda reveals he previously encountered Hughes nearly ten years ago when they shared training facilities in Thailand.
Miranda, having lived in Phuket for over a decade, distinctly remembers observing Hughes training in 2016, at a time when the Irish talent was still competing as an amateur. Reflecting on that period, Miranda stated he is pleased to be fighting someone he respects and whose progress he has witnessed, calling it an “honor” to compete against him in a prominent main event, particularly in a nation with a strong fighting culture like Ireland.
Coming off a victory against former Bellator lightweight champion Patricky Pitbull in February 2024, Miranda views the fight against Hughes as a significant opportunity. He acknowledges Hughes`s strong career trajectory and his high profile, especially following a controversial majority decision loss to Usman Nurmagomedov in January – a fight Miranda believes Hughes deserved to win. Miranda is determined to “break the odds” and defeat the perceived favorite.
Despite his respect for Hughes and the Irish fans, Miranda is focused on the task at hand. He expressed his intention to be a difficult opponent for Hughes, aiming to be “the thorn in his side.” While a potential title shot could follow a win, Miranda emphasizes his step-by-step approach, with the immediate goal being securing the victory on May 10th.
Miranda plans to test Hughes`s stand-up skills in their clash at the SSE Arena in Belfast. He noted that every fight presents a different challenge and, appreciating Hughes`s pressure-fighting style, looks forward to seeing how his opponent copes with facing an aggressive, “real striker” like himself.
Oliver Croft