A judo black belt, Claudio Pacella paid his dues on the road to success in MMA, eventually becoming a regional lightweight champion. Now the 5-2 SBG Ireland product, who has won three of his last four, looks to capture major MMA gold through the PFL Europe Lightweight Tournament. Pacella’s 2024 campaign saw him lose to Patrick Habirora but rebound with wins over Mark Ewen and Oscar Ownsworth.

 

A 10-year veteran of the sport, Gavin Hughes is not someone who likes to bring fights to the judges’ scorecards, with 10 of his 11 victories coming via a finish, including five wins via guillotine choke. A former title challenger on the regional scene, Hughes fought three times for Bellator. He last fought in September, submitting Dean Trueman.

 

Which of these two will clinch the first semi-final spot in the 2025 PFL Europe Lightweight Tournament?

 

 

Round 1

 

Combination from Hughes, who is pressuring to start. Pacella responds with a right. Right hand lands solidly for Hughes. The two exchanging, with Hughes landing a check hook. The two already swinging with power. Left hand from Pacella. Another solid hook from Hughes. Now Pacella landing some solid shots. Right hand from Pacella. Straight to the body from Pacella. Pacella with a clinch, putting Hughes’s back to the fence. The two separate, and Hughes is back on the front foot. Pacella tries to stay out of range, but Hughes shoots for the takedown. Pacella defends it, but he’s up against the fence. Hughes with a left hand. Pacella with a combination to the body upon separation.

 

Solid right hand from Pacella as Hughes gets close. Hughes presses him to the fence. Both men land knees. Pacella reverses the position. Right hand lands from Pacella. More jockeying for dominant position against the fence. One-two from Hughes back in the center of the SmartCage. Pacella looked for a takedown, but can’t get it. Hughes with a switch knee. Combination from Pacella. Hughes misses hooks. Pacella with a combination. Left hand from Hughes. Body shots from Pacella. Right hand from Pacella. Another combination from Pacella. Left from Hughes is blocked. One-two by Hughes. Another combination, finished with a body kick, by Pacella. Hughes with a right hand over the top. Right hand from Pacella as the action is now on the fence. Separation with less than 10 seconds left. Pacella misses an elbow but lands a jab. The two do some swinging before the horn. Solid first round!

 

 

Round 2

 

One-two from Hughes. Pacella misses a powerful hand to the body. One-two from Pacella, Hughes responds in kind. Left hand misses for Hughes. Low kick and a body shot from Pacella. Pacella working the body. Hughes presses him against the fence. Inside uppercuts from Hughes. Pacella lands two left hands as he moves back. Pacella stops a Hughes takedown attempt, and he reverses the position, dumping Hughes onto his neck. The action goes back to a clinch battle against the fence. Clean body shot from Hughes. Left hand and a knee from Pacella, who is now bleeding a bit. One-two misses from a forwarding Hughes. One-two from Hughes. Uppercut from Hughes.

 

Knee by Pacella in the clinch. Left hand from Hughes. Referee calling for action as the pressing continues, with Hughes being the aggressor there. Hughes looking for the takedown. Pacella breaks off and lands a combination before pressing Hughes now into the fence. Right hands from Pacella with the dirty boxing. Another call for action with about a minute left in the round. Solid right hand on the separation by Pacella. Hughes now presses Pacella into the fence. Hughes with a right hand. Hughes goes for a takedown, but Pacella stops it. Pacella slips while throwing a body kick, but the horn sounds before Hughes can do anything about it.

 

 

Round 3

 

Three-punch combo from Hughes. One-two from Hughes. Hughes searching for the left hook. Pacella throws his own hook. Hughes shoots in, but Pacella keeps his balance and gets to the fence. Pacella now pressing Hughes into the fence. Hughes appears to be going for a guillotine, but Pacella easily avoids it. Both guys seem to be a bit fatigued from the first two rounds. Now Hughes presses Pacella into the fence. Pacella trying to get Hughes away and create space.

 

Hughes searching for the takedown, grabbing at Pacella’s legs. He’s in deep on the attempt. Hughes with an elbow on the break. The two swing away a bit. Hughes misses a left hand. Pacella now gets Hughes against the fence.Pacella with an elbow. Left hand to the midsection by Pacella. Pacella going around the outside. Three-punch combination from Pacella. One-two from Hughes. Right hand from Hughes. Hughes lands and goes for a takedown attempt again. Hughes and Pacella in another body lock. Knee by Pacella to the body. Hughes with a couple of left hands in the clinch. Ref warns the fighters to use the position. Hughes with a stomp. Pacella reverses the position – and Hughes reverses right back.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Claudio Pacella defeats Gavin Hughes by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28x2) in a lightweight tournament fight, advancing to the Semifinals, where he’ll face the winner of Mark Ewen vs. Alex Chizov.

 

Pacella moves his career record to 6-2

 

Pacella has won 4 of his last 5

 

Pacella represents Italy but trains at SBG Ireland in Dublin, Ireland