Nathan Kelly is a noteworthy rising name in the sport who trains out of the renowned SBG Ireland gym. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Kelly went 9-3 as an amateur before his current 11-4 record – which included a 3-0 run in Bellator. Kelly has dropped his last two fights, however, getting submitted by both Akhmed Magomedov and Tae Kyun Kim earlier this year.

 

Fred Dupras also had a successful amateur run, which included an amateur featherweight title, in addition to his regional featherweight title as a pro. Dupras, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist, has yet to see the judges’ scorecards in any of his bouts. He was on a six-fight win streak before his loss to Gabriel Braga in the first round of the PFL World Tournament this past May.

 

Which of these two will be victorious in the featherweight showcase?

 

 

Round 1

 

Kelly flashes a right hand, blocks a kick and lands a left. Combination from Kelly. Dupras tries to come inside with a takedown. Kelly defends with a series of elbows. Dupras keeps going for it, but Kelly reverses the position and we’ve got a body lock against the fence. It breaks and we return to the center. Kick from Dupras. Right hand from Dupras. Left hand and a knee by Kelly. Front kick by Dupras, but Kelly answers with a combination. Left hand from Dupras as he moves. Left hand again by Dupras. Kelly blocks a kick. Dupras with a low kick. Dupras flashes the high kick and a right hand. Dupras with a level change and he scores the takedown. Kelly throws a couple of elbows off his back.

 

Kelly stifles the punches as Dupras tries to work in his guard. Dupras looks to pass, but Kelly stops it. Left hands land for Dupras. Solid shots to the body from the top by Dupras. More punches from Dupras. Kelly not opening his guard. Right hands by Dupras. Dupras gets up and gets around the legs, appearing to try and pressure Kelly into a mount position. Dupras with his knee across Kelly’s belly. Kelly thought about a guillotine. Dupras lands some strong elbows and ends the round getting into full mount.

 

 

Round 2

 

Low kicks from Kelly. Dupras tries to time it and he manages to shoot in and score a takedown near the fence. Dupras continues to pressure, working over Kelly with a mix of small strikes and grappling prowess. Kelly isn’t doing much to improve his position, and Durpas is keeping this here for about a couple of minutes now.

 

 

Kelly is able to return to his feet, and he’s battling for wrist control. Dupras lands low knees and is keeping a hold of Kelly’s back. Kelly tries to break off, but Dupras still pressures. Kelly finally gets away. Right hand from Kelly. Another right hand from Kelly. Kelly tries a kick but ends up losing his balance. One-two from Kelly as he tries to do work near the fence. Left hand by Kelly. Dupras, again, times it and scores a takedown. Dupras locks up a guillotine! Kelly taps, but the ref isn’t in position! She’s on the wrong side! Dupras holds it and Kelly goes out instead!

 

 

Either way, it’s a strong win for Fred Dupras.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Fred Dupras defeats Nathan Kelly by 2nd round Technical Submission (4:38, guillotine choke) in a featherweight (145) showcase bout.

 

Dupras moves his career record to 9-2

 

All 9 of his career wins have come by submission

 

Dupras rebounds from his World Tournament loss to Gabriel Braga in April