Despite McKee’s years of dominance across the divisions in Bellator, it appeared that the focus of the pre-fight build-up was on Irish prospect. A former Cage Warriors champion, Hughes opted against joining the UFC this summer in favour of a bigger money deal with the PFL.

Battle of the giants kicked off with a huge lightweight matchup between AJ McKee and Paul Hughes. One of the PFL's highest-profile free agent acquisitions during the last year, Hughes debuted in the co-main event of Bellator Champions Series: Dublin in June and stopped Bobby King in the second round.

During Bellator London last month, McKee and Hughes were brought in for a virtual face-off. The Irishman, who joined the broadcast live from the OVO Arena Wembley, appeared to get the better of the verbal exchanges with his rival, who called in from his home office.

Paul Hughes called his shot with a split decision win over AJ McKee and now he’s looking for Bellator gold after calling out Usman Nurmagomedov.

PFL Super Fights kicks off with a fight between AJ McKee Jr. and Paul Highes Check out our PFL pick for McKee-Hughes prediction.