Paul Hughes was smiling after he had managed to grab a photo with Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.

Hughes earned one of the most significant victories of his career when he upset AJ McKee as part of a Francis Ngannou headlined card.

And with Ronaldo in the building, Manchester United fan Hughes made sure to get a photo with his childhood hero.

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Posting on Instagram, he said: "Cherry on top there. Great to meet you @cristiano"

Instagram

Speaking to the media after his fight, Hughes said he would seek out Ronaldo.

"I was a huge (Manchester) United fan and a huge Ronaldo fan growing up. I have to go out and meet him wherever he's at; somebody, please take me to him after this."

Hughes joins Ian Garry as the leading active MMA fighter and says he hopes things improve.

"We've been falling behind in the Irish MMA scene. We probably haven't been doing as well since the (Conor) McGregor era.

"Obviously, Ian (Garry) is doing very well, and the other lads are doing well, too, but I would love to see Irish MMA back on top.

"I care deeply about Irish MMA and care deeply about all the boys coming up and hopefully that's us coming back up."

Hughes is hoping to fight Bellator Lightweight Usman Nurmagomedov next in either Dubai or Belfast.

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