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