One of Europe’s top rising prospects, Paul Hughes has stood out as he’s risen up the ranks, winning interim featherweight gold in Europe. Known for his ability to finish fights with both his striking and his grappling, Hughes has scored eight of his 11 victories with a finish. The Fight Academy Ireland product, who has lost just once, is riding a five-fight win streak, coming into his Bellator debut tonight off a first-round finish of Fabiano Silva in April.

 

Bobby King is a Bellator veteran, competing in the Bellator cage for the seventh time here tonight. King, who has five wins via submission, has scored wins over the likes of Aviv Gozali, Keoni Diggs and Nick Newell. A Bang Muay Thai product with a dynamic fighting style, King comes into this fight off back-to-back losses, most recently dropping a decision to Aalon Cruz at Bellator 295.

 

In this lightweight co-main event, will Hughes continue his rise, or will King pull off a massive upset?

 

 

Round 1

 

King runs straight out with a front kick to the body. Hughes looking to come forward. King misses a low kick. Hughes connects with a low calf kick that trips King up. King slips Hughes up with a jab! Hughes misses a combination Hughes chasing with the calf kick. Another right hand from King. Low kick from Hughes, but King counters with a left hook. Hughes presses King up against the fence. Hughes breaks the clinch with a knee to the head and a one-two. Front kick by Hughes. Front kick by King.

 

Hughes firing a combination. High kick from Hughes, and he follows that up with a combination. Hughes presses King against the cage again. Hughes with a knee to the midsection. Hughes lands an elbow on the break. Low kick from Hughes. King with another combination. Hughes presses King against the fence again. Hughes with a couple of shots to the nose from the clinch. Knee by King in close. Short elbow by Hughes. Low kick by Hughes. Right hand lands for King. Combination by King.

 

 

Round 2

 

King landing sharply in the first minute of this second round. Right hand for Hughes. King with a big combination. High kick connects for Hughes. Combination from Hughes connects. Hughes grabs a leg and is looking for a takedown. Hughes gets the body lock and scores with the takedown. Hughes moving into top position. Hughes lands a couple of elbows from up top.

 

Hughes continuing to bring the pressure on the ground. Hughes now trying to pass over to side control. He gets there and continues to work. Hughes looking for an arm-triangle, but King gets free. Hughes lands another left hand. Hughes lands several more to the face with the left hand. Another couple of elbows from Hughes. Hughes postures up and rains down some ground-and-pound! King is busted open badly! Hughes continues to deliver the blows, and the referee steps in!

 

 

Paul Hughes delivers in the Bellator debut!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Paul Hughes def. Bobby King via second-round TKO (punches, 4:50)