London (14 March, 2025) – The Professional Fighters League (PFL) today announced the PFL Europe Lightweight fighters and bracket, with all four first round fights due to take place at PFL Europe Belfast on 10 May at the SSE Arena.
Belfast will be the home of PFL Europe’s first tournament fights of 2025, which will see the continent’s top athletes enter a bracket who will have one shot to win three bouts across the year to earn the coveted PFL Europe Championship and a cash prize of $100,000.
The PFL Europe Lightweight bracket is as follows:
Connor Hughes, England (10-2) vs. Sebastian Di Franco, Belgium (10-3)
Liverpool’s Connor Hughes is a devastating striker with tested one-punch knockout power, which saw him advance to the PFL Europe 2024 Lightweight final where he fell short against the repeat Champion, Jakub Kaszuba. He will look to right the wrongs of last year in his match-up against the Belgian PFL debutant, Sebastian Di Franco. From La Louvière, Di Franco has been making waves in the Lightweight division with 10 wins and only 3 loses. Having tested himself against some of the best fighters in Belgium and France, he is now stepping up to the PFL Europe Tournament in the hope of proving his skillset against the very best Europe has to offer.
Mark Ewen, Scotland (6-1) vs. Aleksandr “Pretty Boy” Chizov, Latvia (10-3)
Edinburgh’s Mark Ewen has been touted as the next generation of MMA stars due to his 18 victories across amateur and professional bouts all coming by way of finish, not discriminating between KOs or submissions. After bouncing back in PFL Europe Glasgow in August 2024 following his first professional loss, he’s looking to pick up momentum in the PFL Europe Lightweight Tournament against Latvia’s Aleksandr Chizov. From Riga, Chizov boasts an impressive 10-3 record and is looking to re-enter the Lightweight tournament again in 2025. Alex has been training out of the elite Allstars Training Center in Sweden made famous by Alexander Gustafsson and Khamzat Chimaev.
Claudio Pacella, Italy (5-2) vs. Gavin “Big Tasty” Hughes, England (11-4)
Rome’s Claudio Pacella, training out of Dublin, Ireland, is an incredibly tough, durable, and game opponent who always leaves his all in the SmartCage. With three outings in 2024, he gave Belgian sensation Patrick Habirora his toughest professional fight, and capped the year with two wins. Pacella will be confident with momentum on his side as he faces the PFL debutant Gavin Hughes from Liverpool, who has competed at the highest level in Bellator against opponents such as Yves Landu.
Decky McAleenan, Ireland (9-5-1) vs. Gino “The Ghost Assassin” Van-Steenis, Spain (5-1)
Local fighter Decky McAleenan will be making his PFL debut as he enters the tournament in hopes of bringing the European belt back to Ireland for the first time, but he has Gino Van Steenis standing in his way. Gino is the younger brother of PFL’s No. 1 Middleweight contender Costello Van Steenis, and is looking to follow in the footsteps of his brother.
In 2025, there will be two weight division tournaments represented in PFL Europe, Men’s Lightweight and Men’s Bantamweight, with the 135 lbs roster and bracket to be revealed at a later date.
PFL Europe Belfast will be headlined by Paul “Big News” Hughes (13-2), who’s set for a homecoming showcase bout in the headline against Brazil’s Bruno “Robusto” Miranda (17-5). Hughes will fulfil a lifelong dream to main event at The SSE Arena, Belfast’s iconic venue situated a stone’s throw away from his gym, with Miranda looking to spoil the party by displaying his aggressive fighting skillset in the SmartCage.
Full bout listing can be found below:
Updated PFL Europe Belfast Main Card:
10 May – The SSE Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Lightweight Main Event Showcase Bout: Paul Hughes (13-2) vs. Bruno Miranda (17-5)
PFL Europe Lightweight Tournament Bout: Connor Hughes (10-2) vs. Sebastian Di Franco (10-3)
PFL Europe Lightweight Tournament Bout: Mark Ewen (6-1) vs. Aleksandr “Pretty Boy” Chizov (10-3)
PFL Europe Lightweight Tournament Bout: Claudio Pacella (5-2) vs. Gavin “Big Tasty” Hughes (11-4)
PFL Europe Lightweight Tournament Bout: Decky McAleenan (9-5-1) vs. Gino “The Ghost Assassin” Van-Steenis (5-1)
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