McKee Jr. vs Hughes

Who won McKee Jr. vs Hughes?

Paul Hughes beat AJ McKee Jr by split decision in their 3 round contest during the main card of PFL Super Fights, on Saturday 19th October 2024 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.

The scorecards were announced in favor of the winner Paul Hughes.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 3 rounds in the Lightweight division, which meant the weight limit was 155 pounds (11.1 stone or 70.3 KG).

McKee Jr. vs Hughes stats

AJ McKee Jr stepped into the octagon with a record of 22 wins, 1 loss and 0 draws, 6 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 8 by submission.

Paul Hughes made his way to the cage with a record of 12 wins, 1 loss and 0 draws, 6 of those wins coming by knock out and 3 by submission.

This was AJ McKee Jr's 2nd fight in the PFL, having made his debut for the promotion in 2024. Paul Hughes marked his 2nd fight for them, having made his own debut for the promotion in 2024.

AJ McKee Jr's PFL record stood at 1-1-0, while Paul Hughes' came in at 1-1-0.

The stats suggested Hughes had a large advantage in power over McKee Jr, boasting a 50% knock out percentage over McKee Jr's 27%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested McKee Jr had an advantage over Hughes, with a 36% submission rate over Hughes' 25%.

AJ McKee Jr was the older man by 1 year, at 29 years old.

McKee Jr had a height advantage of 1 inch over Hughes.

McKee Jr was the more experienced professional fighter, having had 10 more fights, and made his debut in 2015, 1 year and 10 months earlier than Hughes, whose first professional fight was in 2017. He had fought 14 more professional rounds, 51 to Hughes' 37.

McKee Jr. vs Hughes form

AJ McKee Jr had beaten 4 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had won against Clay Collard at PFL vs. Bellator: CHAMPS on 24th February 2024 by submission in the 1st round at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Previous to that, he had beaten Sidney Outlaw at Bellator 301 on 17th November 2023 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Wintrust Arena, Chicago, United States.

Going into that contest, he had defeated Roberto ‘Satoshi’ de Souza at Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN on 31st December 2022 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan.

Before that, he was victorious against Spike Carlyle at Bellator 286 on 1st October 2022 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, Long Beach, United States.

He had lost to Patricio Pitbull at Bellator 277 on 15th April 2022 by unanimous decision in their Bellator Featherweight championship fight at SAP Center, San Jose.

Hughes had won all 5 of his most recent fights, stopping 3opponents and going the distance twice.

In his last fight before this contest, he had won against Bobby King at Bellator Champions Series: Dublin on 22nd June 2024 by knockout in the 2nd round at 3Arena Dublin, Dublin, United Kingdom.

Previous to that, he had beaten Fabiano Silva at Cage Warriors 170: Sheehan vs. Konrad on 6th April 2024 by knockout in the 1st round at Simmonscourt Ros, Dublin.

Going into that contest, he had defeated Jan Quaeyhaegens at Cage Warriors 161 – Dublin on 14th October 2023 by knockout in the 1st round at 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland.

Before that, he was victorious against Jordan Vucenic at Cage Warriors 145 on 4th November 2022 by unanimous decision in their 5 round contest at Indigo at the O2, London, United Kingdom.

He had won against Morgan Charriere at Cage Warriors 128 on 1st October 2021 by majority decision in their 5 round contest at York Hall, London, England.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, AJ McKee Jr had been fighting more than Paul Hughes.

Going to this contest, AJ McKee Jr had last fought 1 year, 1 month and 5 days ago, while Paul Hughes' last outing had been 9 months and 7 days ago.

McKee Jr's last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 11 months and 14 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 7 months and 3 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 15 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 3 rounds on average.

Hughes' last 5 fights had come over a period of 3 years, 5 months and 28 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 8 months and 12 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 14 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.8 rounds on average.

What time did McKee Jr. vs Hughes start?

The fighters were expected to walk out at around 5:40 PM UTC , which was 1:40 PM EST or 10:40 AM PST on the West Coast of America, or 6:40 PM BST in the UK.

What were the odds on McKee Jr. vs Hughes?

AJ McKee Jr was a 4/7 (-180) favourite going into the contest, while Paul Hughes made his way into the ring at 13/10 (+130) with oddsmakers.