PFL Europe: Connor Hughes hails Dylan Tuke as the ‘toughest test’ of his professional career
- Seb Sternik
- 11 May 2023
PFL Europe 2 in Berlin will see the start of the lightweight and bantamweight tournaments.
Connor Hughes has enjoyed a perfect start to his MMA career, and he will be looking to continue on that winning trajectory when he takes on Dylan Tuke in July.
The two men will square off in the second PFL Europe event as both contenders look to progress in the $100,000 tournament.
Since turning professional in the summer of 2021, Hughes has won all seven of his bouts - six of them by stoppage.
The 25-year-old arrives in the PFL Europe's lightweight tournament with a wealth of combat experience.
Hughes is a former British, European and World kickboxing champion, and has also fought as an amateur in MMA for a number of years.
When asked about preparation for his Berlin showdown with Tuke, he told Planet Sport: "We're still a few good weeks away but everything is good, just trying to get as much mat time in as I can. Learning and picking up as much as possible. Just working as normal to be honest."
Tuke, who boasts a 5-3 professional record, has been out of action since his defeat to Estabili Amato last November.
"I think Tuke has been fighting professionally since 2015," said Hughes. "That was before I even made my amateur debut. I knew about Tuke before I fought myself.
"I've watched a couple of his fights, I've picked up on a couple of things that he likes to do. Couple of things that he does automatically.
"Solely focused on myself more than anything, but obviously I've got a gameplan and strategy going into this."
While Hughes has fought top names throughout his kickboxing and amateur MMA career, he admits Tuke will rank highly on his pro MMA resume.
He said: "As a pro, he's definitely my toughest test. I think I've taken some amateur fights that could have been bigger tests than him. But as a pro, he's definitely the most accomplished fighter I've fought.
"He's a Bellator veteran, he's fought on Brave, I think he fought on BAMMA.
"He's been around the block and he's been going around the block before I've even made my amateur debut so he's definitely a step up in competition. But I don't think I'm out of my depth at all."
PFL Europe 2 will take place on July 8 in Berlin. Fans will be able to follow the action unfold on DAZN.
