PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants: A.J. McKee vs. Paul Hughes: Live round-by-round updates
The PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants A.J. McKee vs. Paul Hughes round-by-round updates are here. They provide fans with real-time coverage and live scoring of the upcoming lightweight bout. The main card of the event starts at 4:00 PM E.T. (Eastern Time) / 1:00 PM P.T. (Pacific Time).
Given that McKee vs. Hughes is the opening bout of the main card, it also starts at the aforementioned time. No title will be contested by either man. Instead, McKee and Hughes put their respective win streaks on the line, with McKee being on a four-fight win streak, while Hughes has won six straight.
Theirs is a bout between highly regarded lightweights. However, McKee has the edge in experience, having previously held Bellator featherweight gold, with a win over Patrício 'Pitbull' Freire. At 22-1, compared to Hughes, who is 12-1 and a former Cage Warriors featherweight champion, McKee is more seasoned.
The oddsmakers on DraftKings Sportsbook also favor McKee, regarding him as a -198 favorite, while Hughes is a +164 underdog for their three, five-minute, round clash.
Follow Sportskeeda for play-by-play analysis and live scoring of the lightweight bout.
PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants: A.J. McKee vs. Paul Hughes
Round 1: The round opens with a body kick from McKee, but it's caught by Hughes, who fires off combinations. The two men separate and Hughes is on the front foot. Another exchange happens, with McKee landing a spinning body kick. McKee appears to stagger Hughes with a combination and shoots for a takedown.
Hughes defends well and they scramble. Elbows for McKee, who now has Hughes trapped against the fence, kneeing Hughes in the body. McKee drops down for a double-leg, but Hughes stuffs it. They stay in the clinch on the fence. They break and Hughes lands a partial knee as McKee dives for a takedown.
He has Hughes trapped against the fence again, but Hughes reverses a trip-takedown attempt. McKee is on his back and Hughes is trying to pounce, but is struggling to get past McKee's guard. They scramble, and Hughes lands some ground-and-pound before landing in half-guard.
It's been a furious start to the fight. Hughes postures up, landing some ground-and-pound, but McKee's guard is proving difficult for him to pass. They scramble back to their feet, trading. Hughes stings McKee with a jab, catches a kick and counters McKee with a big knee, before dropping him with a combination.
Good round for the underdog. 10-8 Hughes
Round 2: McKee tries to close the distance with a lazy combination, but nothing lands. Hughes is back on the front foot, but McKee lands a spinning back kick. Low kick for McKee. Hughes fires back with a good inside low kick that breaks his foe's stance. A nice body kick lands for McKee.
Hughes throws a high kick, but it's blocked. A jab lands for Hughes, and he eats another low kick. McKee with a combination before they clinch, with McKee pinning Hughes to the fence. They trade knees and break, with both men landing one-twos. Low kick for Hughes, followed up by a hard-hitting combination.
A body kick lands for McKee, but Hughes counters him with a quick combination. They exchange again and Hughes slips, with McKee mmediately following him to the mat, but Hughes fights it to end the round. 10-9 Hughes
Round 3: A spinning back kick lands for McKee, followed by a body kick and double-leg takedown shot. Hughes defends well though, and McKee is left fighting for the takedown against the fence. He doesn't get it, resorting to back control. He tries an Imanari roll, but Hughes ends up on top.
He lets McKee back up and is pressuring him. Finally, McKee completes a takedown, but Hughes is quick to get back to his feet. They're against the fence, with McKee clinging to Hughes' back, only for the Irishman to fight off another takedown.
Hughes breaks out and lands some good shots. A slick inside uppercut lands for Hughes. Another big shot for the Irishman. McKee is tired and shoots for a desperate takedown that's easily stuffed, but he holds on, completing it on the second try. Still, Hughes gets back up.
The fight ends with Hughes landing a knee. 10-9 Hughes
Official Decision: Paul Hughes def. A.J. Mckee via split-decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)