The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has officially announced the 2025 PFL Europe Lightweight bracket, setting the stage for a thrilling competition at PFL Europe Belfast on May 10 at the SSE Arena. This exciting event will feature top European MMA fighters competing for the prestigious PFL Europe Championship and a grand prize of $100,000.

Belfast will be the host city for the first round of the 2025 PFL Europe Lightweight tournament, where each athlete will have the opportunity to secure a spot in the final by winning three bouts across the year. This prestigious event will feature an electrifying lineup of fighters from across Europe.

Lightweight Tournament Matchups:

1. Connor Hughes (England) vs. Sebastian Di Franco (Belgium)

   • Connor Hughes (10-2) is a devastating striker from Liverpool, known for his one-punch knockout power. Hughes will be looking to redeem himself after falling short in the 2024 PFL Europe Lightweight final against Jakub Kaszuba. His opponent, Sebastian Di Franco (10-3) from La Louvière, Belgium, is making his PFL debut after an impressive run in Belgium and France’s top MMA promotions.

1. Mark Ewen (Scotland) vs. Aleksandr “Pretty Boy” Chizov (Latvia)

   • Mark Ewen (6-1) from Edinburgh is considered one of the most promising MMA stars, with 18 victories, all by finish. Ewen is aiming to bounce back in the 2025 tournament after his first professional loss. He will face Aleksandr “Pretty Boy” Chizov (10-3) from Riga, Latvia, a fighter who’s trained under the elite Allstars Training Center in Sweden and is a force to be reckoned with.

2. Claudio Pacella (Italy) vs. Gavin “Big Tasty” Hughes (England)

   • Claudio Pacella (5-2) from Rome, training out of Dublin, is known for his durability and strong fight mentality. Pacella faces Gavin “Big Tasty” Hughes (11-4), a talented English fighter with significant Bellator experience and a reputation for facing top-tier competition.

3. Decky McAleenan (Ireland) vs. Gino “The Ghost Assassin” Van-Steenis (Spain)

   • Decky McAleenan (9-5-1), hailing from Ireland, makes his PFL debut with aspirations to bring the European title back to Ireland. His opponent, Gino Van-Steenis (5-1) from Spain, is the younger brother of PFL’s Middleweight contender Costello Van-Steenis, and is looking to carve out his own name in the division.

Alongside these thrilling Lightweight bouts, PFL Europe Belfast will also be headlined by a showcase event, with Paul “Big News” Hughes (13-2) facing Bruno “Robusto” Miranda (17-5) in an exciting homecoming for Hughes. The event promises to deliver a packed night of action, showcasing Europe’s top MMA talent.

Full PFL Europe Belfast 2025 Main Card:

Date: 10 May 2025
Venue: SSE Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland

1. Main Event Showcase: Paul Hughes (13-2) vs. Bruno Miranda (17-5)
2. Lightweight Tournament Bout: Connor Hughes (10-2) vs. Sebastian Di Franco (10-3)
3. Lightweight Tournament Bout: Mark Ewen (6-1) vs. Aleksandr “Pretty Boy” Chizov (10-3)
4. Lightweight Tournament Bout: Claudio Pacella (5-2) vs. Gavin “Big Tasty” Hughes (11-4)
5. Lightweight Tournament Bout: Decky McAleenan (9-5-1) vs. Gino “The Ghost Assassin” Van-Steenis (5-1)

The PFL Europe Lightweight Tournament is expected to deliver a series of high-paced, intense bouts that MMA fans won’t want to miss. Who will emerge victorious and take home the coveted title and $100,000 cash prize? Tune in to PFL Europe Belfast on May 10 to find out.