Dakota Ditcheva has set the standard for what other PFL prospects should try to live up to. Ditcheva fought her way into the organization by winning the PFL Europe crowd and is in position to win $1 million with a win in the PFL flyweight tournament championship this November. Paul Hughes would like to follow that example.

Hughes, a native of Northern Ireland, won’t be brought along slowly. During the PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants event in Saudi Arabia, MMAfighting news shows that Hughes has been paired with former Bellator champion A.J. McKee. This fight card is developing into a big one, as it will feature former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou’s debut with the promotion.

Hughes built up his fanbase organically. He dominated Cage Warriors, which helped give him a strong foothold in Europe. If Hughes wants to expand that brand worldwide, he is going to have to win fights.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect from the Hughes and McKee fight, as well as the other announced fights on the card.

Hughes Gets Challenge He’s Looking For

There was some question about how the PFL would handle its increased roster after it acquired Bellator. With so many fighters now on the books, how would they keep everyone busy? Hughes wasn’t dropped into a commitment for a PFL tournament.

Instead, Hughes was tabbed to make his debut at the Bellator Champions Series: Dublin in June. Hughes would end up winning his debut in the new organization with a second-round KO over Bellator veteran Bobby King.

Hughes came to prominence by fighting his way up the ranks in Cage Warriors. He battled his way to the top of the promotion and became the champion at featherweight. While Hughes’ fight with McKee will be at lightweight, he has shown a knack for being able to go between weight classes.

Hughes is 12-1 in his career and will want to topple McKee to become one of the faces of the PFL.

McKee Won’t Be Frazzled

Clay Collard is a respected veteran fighter who became one of the stars in combat sports during the pandemic. Collard split time between boxing and MMA. He fought for the PFL title at lightweight last season.

But McKee made Collard look like a rank amateur last February. McKee wrapped up Collard in 70 seconds during the PFL vs. Bellator event. Seeing McKee lay waste to Collard wasn’t surprising.

McKee won the first 18 fights of his career. The best MMA news sites show McKee reached the pinnacle of Bellator when he beat Patricio Pitbull for the Bellator featherweight title in July 2021. McKee lost the rematch via decision and decided to move up to lightweight.

McKee is on a three-fight winning streak and will be eager to take on one of the PFL’s biggest free-agent signings.

Ngannou Comes Back Home

Everyone should take every opportunity they get in life. But Francis Ngannou never looked quite right in the boxing ring. Ngannou’s last loss, a second-round knockout against Anthony Joshua, wasn’t a pretty one, according to online boxing news.

But Ngannou will be back with four-ounce gloves for his fight with Rennan Ferreira. Ferreira won the PFL’s 2023 heavyweight tournament. During the PFL vs Bellator event, Ferrerira knocked out Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader in the first round.

Ferreira is a dangerous striker who could test Ngannou because of his size. However, Ferreira will have to be careful, as Ngannou has fought the best heavyweights in the world and has a major edge in experience.

Cyborg Wants to Build on Her Legend

Cris Cyborg didn’t get her dream fight. Cyborg, a former UFC and current Bellator champion wanted a bout with Kayla Harrison. But the former Olympic gold medalist chose to go to the UFC.

Instead, Cyborg will have the opportunity to try to stop Larissa Pacheco’s hot streak. Pacheco is a two-division champion in the PFL. She is on a 10-fight winning streak since her last loss to Harrison.

Pacheco won the 2023 featherweight and 2022 lightweight tournaments. She is a dangerous striker who has been finishing opponents left and right. However, Cyborg is a tougher challenge.

Cyborg has been around for more than 20 years and has seen nearly everything the sport has to offer. Pacheco will need to bring her best to take down the legend.

Jesus Pinedo Set to Return

Jesus Pinedo was one of the major surprises of the 2023 PFL season. Pinedo lost his first regular-season fight with Gabriel Alves Braga. Then the Peruvian fighter woke up, leaving scorched Earth behind him.

In Pinedo’s second regular-season fight, he stunned the world by knocking out the defending featherweight champion, Brendan Loughane. Pinedo followed that up by knocking out Bubba Jenkins and Braga to claim the title. Pinedo will now get a chance to take on former Bellator star Aaron Pico.

Pico has won three consecutive fights. When Pico came into Bellator as a youngster, people believed he would quickly reach the top. Pico, instead, took some tough losses and had to build himself back up. He’s a better fighter now and will be a game challenger for Pinedo.

Future Fights Likely Still Pending

This is a vital fight card for the PFL. With Ngannou, Hughes, and Cyborg on the card, the promotion is putting all of their cards on the table. With PFL’s top talent participating, the organization will want to put on a good show.

If the big-name talent can perform, the PFL may be able to gain some more attention. The PFL vs. Bellator card was well received. The question will be if the PFL’s pay-per-views, which are more reasonably priced than the UFC’s events, will be able to garner interest from fight fans.

Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.

By Dean McHugh.