UFC Fight Night 258: Shauna Bannon vs Sam Hughes

The Accor Arena in Paris roared to life as Shauna Bannon and Sam Hughes opened UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs. Borralho with an intense strawweight clash. The Irish prospect entered the cage hoping to rebound from earlier setbacks and make a statement in front of the European crowd, but Hughes had different plans. Known for her gritty pressure and wrestling acumen, she immediately set the tone by closing the distance and forcing the fight to the mat.

From the opening exchange, Hughes’s game plan was clear—take Bannon down, smother her with top control, and deny her space to use her striking. The first round saw Hughes chaining takedowns together and landing heavy elbows from half guard, leaving Bannon scrambling for position. Despite her best efforts, the Irish fighter struggled to create separation, and the round ended with Hughes firmly in control.

Round two began just as the first had ended, with Hughes relentlessly pursuing another takedown. Within the first minute, she dragged Bannon back to the canvas and quickly transitioned to back control. Her patience paid off as she slid her arm under Bannon’s chin and locked in a tight rear-naked choke. With no escape route left, Bannon tapped at 1:58 of the round, giving Hughes a decisive submission victory.

The win marked Hughes’s fourth triumph in her last five UFC appearances, solidifying her reputation as one of the division’s hardest-working contenders. Speaking post-fight, she credited her camp for perfecting her grappling transitions and vowed to continue climbing toward the top 15. Her celebration, climbing the cage and shouting to the Paris crowd, showed how much this moment meant to her career trajectory.

For Bannon, the loss was a tough setback but also a valuable learning experience. She displayed toughness by surviving Hughes’s early ground assault and attempting to work her way up, but she’ll need to shore up her wrestling defense to compete with the division’s elite. Fans can expect her to come back determined, as her striking talent and relentless pace still make her a dangerous test for future opponents.