Nate Kelly looked sensational in his Professional Fighters League [PFL] debut on Friday night.
The 19-year-old prospect locked up a rarely-seen anaconda choke submission in round two and forced his opponent, Callum Seaton, to tap out at PFL Europe 4.
Kelly got his PFL career off to the best start possible
Kelly reacted to his emphatic win by jumping on top of the cage to celebrate with the thousands of his fellow Dublin who had packed into the 3Arena for the first fight of the evening.
After his victory was confirmed, the kickboxing prodigy earned a hug and some kind words from his coach John Kavanagh, who also trains UFC superstar Conor McGregor.
Kelly first made a splash in MMA in 2015 when the UFC came to his hometown to promote McGregor’s fight with featherweight legend Jose Aldo.
Kelly got on the mic and told MMA mogul Dana White he would be signing him in the future before cheekily asking for some money.
“Dana, I’m a five-time national kickboxing champion,” he said.
“I’m Irish and British champion at jiu-jitsu, and I’m a world medallist at kickboxing, so I guarantee that you’re gonna be strapping that gold belt around my waist.
“So, how about an advance on my first pay cheque?”
The teenage prospect stole the show at a McGregor press eventCredit: UFC – YouTube
Kelly has been training with MMA’s biggest star for yearsCredit: @natekellymma – instagram
Eight years and many more competition wins later, Kelly was snapped by PFL despite still being in the early stages of his amateur MMA career.
Muhammad Ali’s grandson, Biaggio Ali-Walsh, is the only other amateur fighter on the UFC rival’s roster – Kelly is happy with the faith shown in him.
“It’s great company to be in. Muhammad Ali’s grandson and you are the only two people to be fighting as amateurs in the PFL,” he told talkSPORT.com..
“I think it shows the belief that PFL have in me to put me on such a big show as well. It’s not just like it’s a show throughout the year, this is their final event of the year in Europe.
“They can see the potential I have, not just inside the cage, but outside the cage as well because I can talk as well as I can fight.
“I believe I am the whole package and I think PFL know that.”
