Paul Hughes vs Bobby King Preview
It’s a massive week for Irish MMA with their latest hero in action. Paul Hughes will fight Bobby King on the main card of Bellator Dublin. The fight takes place in the 3Arena on Saturday, June 22nd. Hughes makes his promotional debut under the PFL-Bellator banner.
There’s a lot of pressure on the young Irishman’s shoulders. Many casual MMA fans expect him to walk through King in this match. However, the American is a much tougher opponent than the odds suggest. It’s going to be fascinating to see how Hughes responds to the expectation. He’s had a great education in Cage Warriors, but now he’s moving up a level. This has all the makings of a thrilling encounter.
Paul Hughes vs Bobby King Key Stats and Head-to-Head
Most of the diehard MMA community believed that the PFL pulled off a coup when they sensationally signed Hughes. The Belfast native had offers from every promotion under the sun when he became a free agent. He chose the PFL over the UFC because the money was better. They identify the 11-1 prospect as a future superstar. He’s a former Cage Warriors featherweight champion but fights full-time in the lightweight division.
However, he faces a surprisingly dangerous opponent in Bobby King. The U.S. native is an experienced fighter with a 12-6 record. Those numbers and the fact that he only has two wins in his past five fights suggest he’s average. But the names of the men who beat him show the King has fought the best of Bellator. There’s no shame in losing to Alexandr Shabliy or Gadzhi Rabadanov. These men have excellent records and the King competed well with them.
Many casuals think the PFL is handing Hughes a tune-up in this MMA fight. They believe that the promotion wants him to have an easy win in front of his Irish fanbase. This isn’t the case because King is an experienced pro who can derail the hype train. Three of King’s wins came by knockout, so he has power in his hands. However, he also has two KO/TKO losses on his record. Hughes will hope for an early finish against his American opponent.
While we respect King’s record, there’s no denying that Hughes should beat him. ‘Big News’ has an advantage over many fellow former Cage Warriors champions. Often CW fighters join a bigger promotion too early. But Hughes has been through wars against UFC calibre talent like Morgan Charriere and Jordan Vucenic. Vucenic also holds a contentious split-decision win over him. However, the Irish fighter has evolved substantially since their first meeting in 2020. He’s a different fighter and much more balanced now.
Losing isn’t the only adversity that Hughes has overcome. He endured horrific injury problems over the past few years. A doctor even advised him to retire because he thought Hughes was risking his long-term health. Hughes recovered from his injury woes and has been training hard over the years. Primarily based out of Fight Academy Ireland in Belfast, but is not afraid to travel. The Irishman went to Thailand’s Bang Tao but now has a home-from-home at Kill Cliff FC in Florida.
Facing different sparring partners has helped him tighten up his game. Hughes has tested his skills against UFC and PFL contenders at one of the best gyms in the world. However, he still shows loyalty to FAI in Northern Ireland. The signs point to Hughes reaching another level against the King. He has outstanding mental resolve and confidence. But crucially, he isn’t arrogant. King is a gritty veteran with the means to test Hughes. Ultimately, ‘Big News’ should be too slick for his American adversary.
Paul Hughes vs Bobby King Predictions
Prediction: Paul Hughes to win by KO/TKO
We predict Paul Hughes will win this MMA fight by KO/TKO. The Irishman has a higher ceiling than King and should beat opponents of this level. However, it’s worth noting most of King’s six losses came by decision.
King is a tough fighter who makes his foes work hard for victory. It’s not a guarantee that Hughes will put him away. But we expect Hughes to stay patient through the first couple of rounds. He is a slightly smaller man and will have to adjust his distance to find the right openings. This will also give the King the chance to land his strikes.
Hughes is a deadly counter-striker as he proved against Jan Quaeyhaegens at CW 161. King must be defensively perfect if he wants to prolong this clash in Dublin. Otherwise, it could be a brief night for the Utah native.
We expect Hughes to find the KO late in the second round. King possesses knockout power of his own. If the American wins, it will probably be because he caught Hughes sleeping. The Irishman can’t be complacent against this gritty veteran. This fight will only go to a decision if Hughes can’t finish his opponent. King’s toughness may keep him in this bout, but we don’t expect him to emerge victorious after three rounds.
We do it damn good. 3 weeks can’t come quick enough!
Co-headline at @3arenadublin on my @pflmma / @bellatormma debut. Feeling BLESSED, but now it’s time to deliver.
Kinda feeling like 3 round war, just for the craic 🩸
Tickets available here: https://t.co/s1QEwtaxbY
☘️🏆🎉 pic.twitter.com/6lu4xeOXWM
— Paul Hughes MMA (@paulhughesmma) June 2, 2024
Complacency shouldn’t be a factor on the biggest night of Hughes’ career. It remains to be seen if nerves affect him, but usually, he embraces being in the spotlight. Expect him to revel in the moment as ‘Grace’ blares out across the 3 Arena.
Live betting is a good option for this fight. If Hughes starts slowly or can’t close the distance, an upset might be on the cards. Remember, anything can happen in MMA, especially in fights where expectations are low.
Paul Hughes vs Bobby King Betting Tips
Hughes is a big favourite to win this MMA fight and should do so in style. It’s 1/6 for him to defeat King. A €10 stake would make a €1.67 profit if successful. This isn’t very lucrative, so it’s wise to check other prop bets and markets on our betting site.
If you think the American fighter will pull off a huge upset, why not bet on Bobby King at 4/1? This time, a successful €10 bet would make €40. One punch can change the course of an entire MMA career.
We’ve highlighted Hughes’ knockout power, why not choose the method of victory? The Irish fighter has explosive fists and is a ruthless finisher. King also has knockout wins on his record. Backing the American to KO Hughes would make sense as a prop bet if you already placed a stake on him to win overall. Another option is to choose the round where the fight will end. We expect Hughes to finish King in the second. However, it wouldn’t be shocking if this match went to a unanimous decision. King is tough and deserves credit for that.
Paul Hughes will debut for PFL/Bellator vs. Bobby King at Dublin’s 3 Arena on June 22.
The Craic got “The Big News” straight from the horse’s mouth.
Hughes discusses how signing the deal will change his life and teases a manifesto he will unveil on June 22.
Fresh Craic! pic.twitter.com/Ep7JIcQpAk
— Peter Carroll (@PetesyCarroll) April 29, 2024
A submission victory may seem unlikely, but Hughes has a couple on his record. The rear-naked choke is his preferred technique with both of his submission wins coming by this method. He could overpower the King before taking his back and forcing a tap.
Don’t forget to take advantage of our welcome bonus. New users can apply this across various MMA promotions, including betting on the UFC and Bellator. It’s also the perfect time to explore other sports like soccer. Huge summer competitions, including Euro 2024, are already underway.
Paul Hughes vs Bobby King Outcome
There is no limit for Hughes if he can pass this first test. He confirmed his plans to fight in the PFL’s million-dollar tournament next year. This was one of the main reasons he signed up with the organisation. They may get him back to Dublin again before that under either the Bellator or PFL brands. A match against fellow Irish star Peter Queally would make sense.
A loss for Hughes would be devastating at this stage. While he has plenty of time to rebound, it would severely tarnish his image. He has shown character in the past to come back from a tough defeat and injuries. We expect it wouldn’t affect him too badly, but it would derail the PFL’s plans.
Bobby King would love to shock the world and claim victory over ‘Big News.’ If he wins, he may even earn himself a spot in the million-dollar tournament or a big-name opponent. This would be a massive scalp for King that could open many opportunities. A loss doesn’t change much for the American who will remain on their roster as an entry-level gatekeeper.
