Paul Hughes admits Irish MMA has 'fallen behind' as he offers honest verdict

Paul Hughes believes Irish MMA "has fallen behind" as he offered a brutally candid assessment of the current health of the sport here.

The Derry native is enjoying a mesmerising rise himself, having signed for the Professional Fighters League earlier this year and winning on his Bellator debut back in June.

The stars have been aligning for the Fight Academy Ireland lightweight, who is set to return to the cage on October 19 on the undercard of Francis Ngannou's MMA return in Riyadh.

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Hughes is riding on the crest of a wave right now, with his fans including a certain Conor McGregor who was at cage-side in Dublin back in June when the former Cage Warriors World champion stopped Bobby King inside two rounds.

The 27-year-old's stock is on the rise, while the support for MMA on the island of Ireland continues to scale the heights, much of it inspired by 'The Notorious'.

However, looking at the progress of other nations, Hughes believes there is plenty of scope for improvement here.

"I wish we were doing better, to be honest. I just watched UFC in Paris there, and the amount of French fighters and all that there. And I kinda of thought, Irish MMA has fallen a little bit behind," he said.

"But what can you do. All I can do is put us on the world stage event more. This is the most difficult game on the planet, and it's the hardest sport to succeed in.

"There's a lot goes into it. And in a smaller place like Ireland sometimes you don't have as many opportunities for high-level training."

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Whilst hailing from Co Derry, Hughes has found a home from home in West Belfast.

Nestled in Springbank Industrial Estate you will find Fight Academy Ireland, the gym that is honing his skills ahead of this month's cage return against AJ McKee.

Hughes said: "It is a special place. I am doing my whole camp here in Belfast. It is important I stay connected to here before I step onto the biggest stage in the world.

"My team here, they know me. I have worked so hard here for many years. They know me inside out., And everything I need, I get here.

"The camp has been unbelievable and the camp has been so dialled in. I plan to put this small part of West Belfast on the map."

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