Jeff Hughes gets quick turnaround, faces Raphael Pessoa at UFC Singapore

Jeff Hughes will re-enter the Octagon just six weeks after his last appearance, taking on Brazilian heavyweight Raphael Pessoa at UFC Singapore on Oct. 16, multiple sources told MMA Fighting following a report by Combate.

Hughes (10-2, 1 no-contest) last fought in Sept. 14, welcoming Todd Duffee back to the cage after a long layoff, but the contest ended in a no-contest four minutes into the opening round after Hughes accidentally poked Duffee in the eye.

“Lights Out” is still looking for his first win under the UFC banner after losing a split decision to Maurice Greene in his debut in March and the previously mentioned no-contest. The former LFA heavyweight champion earned his way into the UFC with a first-round finish of Josh Appelt at Dana White’s Contender Series in 2018.

Pessoa (9-1), who also competed at LFA before joining the UFC, suffered the first defeat of his professional career in his Octagon debut in August, losing to heavyweight prospect Ciryl Gane via first-round submission. “Bebezao” scored all but two of his MMA wins with stoppages.

UFC Singapore is scheduled to take place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Oct. 16 and feature welterweight grapplers Demian Maia and Ben Askren in the main event.