Ex-Mancunian star Paul Hughes expresses gratification in teaming up with Manchester United icon Ryan Giggs and others for a charitable Premier League XI encounter.
Northern Ireland-based MMA Fighter Paul Hughes Set for Charity Match Against Manchester United Legends
Paul Hughes, an Irish mixed martial artist popularly known as "Big News," is poised to face off against former Manchester United stars Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov this weekend in a charity fundraising event taking place in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The match will be played at Seaview, with a variety of other noteworthy participants, including Jermaine Pennant, Keith Gillespie, and Stiliyan Petrov representing a Premier League XI.
Jermaine Beckford, David Healy, and Jason McAteer also form part of the squad, set to square off against Tea With Me FC, led by comedian Shane Todd. Additionally, UFC welterweight Rhys McKee, boxer Sean McComb, and former pugilist Paddy Barnes will join Hughes in the competition.
Recently, Hughes achieved a lifetime ambition by headlining a fight card in Belfast. Speaking to talkSPORT.com about the upcoming charity football match, he expressed his excitement:
"I feel truly blessed to be playing in a charity game for TAMHI, raising funds for an exceptional group of people who work tirelessly to help those struggling with mental health in Northern Ireland. To top it off, I get to play football against two individuals I grew up admiring as a Manchester United fan."
The match is organized by TAMHI, a mental health charity based in Northern Ireland, in collaboration with That Prize Guy. Hughes is no stranger to performing on big stages, having recently knocked out Bruno Miranda in just 42 seconds in his PFL homecoming match this month. If he emerges victorious in the rematch against Usman Nurmagomedov, the cousin of MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, Hughes has suggested potential venues for a trilogy bout, including Belfast's Titanic Quarter and Windsor Park, home to Northern Ireland's football team.
While no specific charity match against Manchester United legends has been officially announced, Paul Hughes continues to make waves as a professional MMA fighter and a prominent figure in Irish combat sports.
- Paul Hughes, a Northern Ireland-based MMA fighter, is set to participate in a charity football match against Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov.
- The Premier League, known for its football games, has several representatives in the charity match, including Jermaine Pennant, Keith Gillespie, and Stiliyan Petrov.
- Besides football, the charity event also includes participants from other sports like MMA, with UFC welterweight Rhys McKee and boxer Sean McComb taking part.
- Paul Hughes, who recently headlined a fight card in Belfast, expressed his excitement for the charity football match, stating that he grew up admiring Manchester United and is now playing against individuals he idolized.
