Darragh Kelly made a statement as an amateur, gaining a 9-0 record and picking up a pair of amateur featherweight titles in Europe. The SBG Ireland product’s winning ways continued into his pro career, coming into tonight a perfect 7-0 with five finishes. Kelly last fought at the Bellator Champions Series event in London this past September, scoring a decision over Dmytrii Hrytsenko.

 

Mike Hamel is a veteran of the sport who finally makes his first appearance with the PFL tonight. Hamel is a former regional featherweight champion who went 4-3 in Bellator. The MMA Lab product last fought at Bellator 301 in November 2023, getting stopped by Tim Wilde.

 

Can Kelly stay undefeated in this lightweight showcase contest?

 

 

Round 1

 

Left hand from Kelly. Right hand from Kelly. One-two from Hamel. Kelly responds. High kick from Hamel misses. Kelly comes in, but Hamel lands a right hand. Low kick from Hamel. And again. Hamel clinches Kelly and presses him into the fence. Hamel lands a knee to the body. Kelly breaks away. Body kick from Kelly. Hamel misses a major right hook. A high kick from Hamel is used to press Kelly back into the fence. But that doesn’t last long.

 

Right hook from Hamel. One-two from Hamel. Kelly misses a hook. A couple of body kicks from Kelly. The two swing until a level change from Kelly presses Hamel into the fence. Hamel gets off the fence after about 10 seconds. Kelly misses a right hand. High kick and a right hook from Hamel. Hamel looks for a double-leg takedown and presses Kelly into the fence once more. He transitions to a single, but Kelly works his way off the fence. The two exchange. A right hand from Kelly before a takedown attempt of his own. That’s stuffed and Hamel gets a headlock. Hamel then presses Kelly again and looks for another takedown. Kelly prevents it. Straights from both. Front kick from Kelly. Strong right hand from Kelly. Hamel misses a strong hook. Hamel misses a high kick. One-two from Hamel.

 

 

 

Round 2

 

Hamel presses Kelly into the fence again very early into the round. Kelly breaks off the fence. Right hand from Hamel. Both men with hooks. Left hand from Kelly. Low kick from Kelly. Another low kick from Kelly. Left hands from Kelly. Hamel goes for the waist, but Kelly gets away. Kelly manages to press Hamel into the fence and starts to land inside shots before Hamel gets away. Low kick from Kelly.

 

Hamel misses a major high kick and a one-two. Straight and a low kick from Kelly. Hamel with a right hand and a one-two. Kelly misses a strong right but lands a kick. Hamel stuffs a takedown attempt from Kelly. Kelly goes for a second wind and gets that attempt. Hamel gives up his back as Kelly looks for a full mount. Kelly lands several shots as Hamel works to his feet. Elbow from Hamel. Hamel works his way off the fence, but he’s busted open. Hamel stuffs another takedown and locks in a D’Arce! Kelly gets out of it. Right hand from Kelly. Straight by Kelly is missed. The two clash and Kelly stumbles a bit. One-two from Hamel. Left hand from Hamel. Right hand from Kelly. Right hand from in close by Kelly. Kelly with a pair of low kicks before the bell.

 

 

Round 3

 

Low kick from Kelly. Hamel coming forward. Hamel presses Kelly into the SmartCage barrier. Kelly works off it. Right hand from Kelly. Right hand from both men. Knee from Kelly. The two exchange. Hamel misses a right hand. Left hand from Kelly. Hamel clinches up, but Kelly Whizzers and gets the takedown. Kelly gets right to Hamel’s back, but he can’t get the hooks in due to being so close to the fence. A choke gets locked in, and Hamel taps out!

 

 

Kelly stays undefeated in a tough bout!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Darragh Kelly def. Mike Hamel via third-round submission (rear-naked choke, 3:09)