British Warriors Hughes & Garnett Storm into PFL Europe Finals with Explosive Stoppages

British fighters Connor Hughes and Dean Garnett secure explosive victories at PFL Europe semi-finals in Nantes, advancing to December's championship in Lyon with $100K prizes on the line.

Hughes' Technical Mastery Shines in Nantes

Manchester-born Connor Hughes (12-2) delivered a clinic in precision striking at Zenith Nantes Métropole, finishing Spain's Gino van Steenis with a devastating head kick at 2:56 of Round 1. The former kickboxing prodigy strategically softened his opponent with targeted calf kicks before unleashing the fight-ending technique.

"Three knockouts, three trophies - that's the plan," Hughes declared post-fight. "Chizov better study these highlights. I see everything before it happens."

Garnett's Guillotine Seals Redemption Arc

Veteran Dean Garnett (14-3-1) showcased veteran savvy against previously unbeaten Jan Cieplowski:

  • Round 1: Polish striker dominates stand-up exchanges
  • Round 2: Scouse grappler controls ground game
  • Round 3: Fight-ending guillotine at 1:22

"Last year's failure fueled this," Garnett stated. "At 37, I'm peaking - that final belt has my name on it."

Championship Night Preview: Lyon's $100K Battles

Weight Class Final Matchup
Lightweight Hughes vs Aleksandr Chizov (Latvia)
Bantamweight Garnett vs Baris Adiguzel (France)

Key Stats:

  • Hughes' 86% finish rate (10 KOs)
  • Adiguzel's 9-0 record with 7 knockouts
  • First PFL Europe event at Groupama Stadium (15,000 capacity)

Fighter Insights

"These Brits bring fireworks," said PFL CEO Peter Murray. "Lyon will witness MMA's future stars."

Training Notes:

  • Hughes training with Khabib's team at Eagles MMA
  • Garnett adding wrestling drills with Olympic medalists

What to Read Next

Oban Elliott vs. Jonathan Micallef: High-Stakes Welterweight Clash Set for UFC Perth Fight Night
MMA

Oban Elliott vs. Jonathan Micallef: High-Stakes Welterweight Clash Set for UFC Perth Fight Night

Welsh welterweight Oban Elliott looks to rebound from his first UFC loss as he takes on rising Australian contender Jonathan Micallef in a pivotal three-round bout at UFC Perth's RAC Arena on September 27. Both fighters aim to climb the rankings in this high-stakes matchup.

Cris Cyborg vs. Sara Collins: Clash of Titans for PFL Featherweight Crown in Lyon
MMA

Cris Cyborg vs. Sara Collins: Clash of Titans for PFL Featherweight Crown in Lyon

Cris Cyborg defends her newly rebranded PFL featherweight championship against undefeated contender Sara Collins in a historic main event at Lyon's LDLC Arena on December 13, 2025. Explore fight details, fighter stats, and the significance of this cross-promotional showdown.

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus du Plessis: UFC 319 Title Clash Fueled by Trump’s Visa Intervention
MMA

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus du Plessis: UFC 319 Title Clash Fueled by Trump’s Visa Intervention

Undefeated MMA star Khamzat Chimaev returns to the US after 3 years with Trump's visa assistance, challenging Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight crown at UFC 319 in Chicago.

Chris Duncan's Unbreakable Spirit Shines in Bloody UFC Fight Night Victory Over Mateusz Rebecki
MMA

Chris Duncan's Unbreakable Spirit Shines in Bloody UFC Fight Night Victory Over Mateusz Rebecki

Scottish warrior Chris Duncan overcomes childhood trauma to secure brutal unanimous decision victory against Polish favorite Mateusz Rebecki in UFC Fight Night co-main event, cementing his 14-2 professional record.

Michael 'Venom' Page: The Weight of UFC Glory and the Quest for the Middleweight Title
MMA

Michael 'Venom' Page: The Weight of UFC Glory and the Quest for the Middleweight Title

Michael 'Venom' Page discusses the immense pressure of UFC fights and his journey towards the middleweight championship, reflecting on his career transitions and future goals.

MMA Star Timur Khizriev Survives Armed Attack: PFL Champion's Brave Escape
MMA

MMA Star Timur Khizriev Survives Armed Attack: PFL Champion's Brave Escape

PFL featherweight champion Timur Khizriev survives a shocking armed attack in Russia, showcasing his fighting spirit even off the mat.

Undefeated Featherweight Luke Riley Joins UFC: A Rising Star from Cage Warriors
MMA

Undefeated Featherweight Luke Riley Joins UFC: A Rising Star from Cage Warriors

Undefeated British featherweight Luke Riley signs with UFC, transitioning from Cage Warriors with an impressive 11-0 record.

Conor McGregor Loses Appeal in Civil Rape Case: A Detailed Look at the Legal Battle
MMA

Conor McGregor Loses Appeal in Civil Rape Case: A Detailed Look at the Legal Battle

Conor McGregor loses his appeal in a civil rape case, ordered to pay damages to Nikita Hand. Read the full details of the legal battle and its implications.

Alfie Davis Defeats Gadzhi Rabadanov in Thrilling PFL Lightweight Championship
MMA

Alfie Davis Defeats Gadzhi Rabadanov in Thrilling PFL Lightweight Championship

Alfie Davis claims victory over Gadzhi Rabadanov in a unanimous decision at the PFL lightweight tournament, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Hughes vs. Nurmagomedov: The October Rematch for Bellator Lightweight Supremacy
MMA

Hughes vs. Nurmagomedov: The October Rematch for Bellator Lightweight Supremacy

Paul Hughes and Usman Nurmagomedov clash again in a highly anticipated Bellator lightweight title rematch on October 3 in Dubai.

Volkanovski vs. Murphy: The Ultimate Featherweight Showdown
MMA

Volkanovski vs. Murphy: The Ultimate Featherweight Showdown

Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski gears up to defend his title against rising star Lerone Murphy in a highly anticipated UFC bout.

Historic UFC Event Confirmed at the White House: A Landmark in Sports and Politics
MMA

Historic UFC Event Confirmed at the White House: A Landmark in Sports and Politics

Dana White confirms a groundbreaking UFC event at the White House on July 4th, marking a historic fusion of sports and political celebration.

Dakota Ditcheva Triumphs Over Sumiko Inaba Despite Hand Injury at PFL Champions Series
MMA

Dakota Ditcheva Triumphs Over Sumiko Inaba Despite Hand Injury at PFL Champions Series

Dakota Ditcheva overcomes a hand injury to dominate Sumiko Inaba at the PFL Champions Series in South Africa, extending her unbeaten streak to 15 fights.

Alfie Davis Overcomes Impostor Syndrome to Secure Life-Changing PFL Final Bout
MMA

Alfie Davis Overcomes Impostor Syndrome to Secure Life-Changing PFL Final Bout

Alfie Davis reflects on overcoming impostor syndrome to secure a life-changing bout in the PFL lightweight tournament final against Gadzhi Rabadanov.

Paddy Pimblett on the Brink of UFC Lightweight Title Shot Against Ilia Topuria
MMA

Paddy Pimblett on the Brink of UFC Lightweight Title Shot Against Ilia Topuria

Paddy Pimblett is just one fight away from a UFC lightweight title shot, with Ilia Topuria ready to challenge him. Discover the latest in MMA 2025.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.