The PFL makes its second European appearance of 2026 in Northern Ireland for PFL Belfast this Thursday.
Although the original main event fighter and Irish MMA star Paul Hughes had to withdraw due to injury, his undefeated compatriot Darragh Kelly has stepped in to headline the event against Jay Jay Wilson, also known as “The Maori Kid.” The card features a mix of seasoned veterans and promising Irish fighters poised to make a significant impact in front of their home crowd.
Irish Prospects at PFL Belfast
In the main event, lightweight contender Darragh Kelly aims to extend his undefeated streak to 10-0 against Jay Jay Wilson. Wilson, a New Zealander with a record of 11-2, will be looking to get back into the win column in Ireland and challenge the home crowd’s expectations. Kelly has had eight professional bouts under Bellator or PFL, boasting a 78% finish rate, with both of his PFL appearances last year ending in submission victories. The Irishman hopes for a similar outcome as he begins his 2026 campaign, aiming to climb the new PFL rankings.
At 170lbs, Eoin Sheridan, a towering presence from the renowned SBG Ireland gym, will enter the cage. Sheridan has sparred with Conor McGregor, and the gym is well-represented at PFL Belfast. With a professional record of 4-0, the 6’5″ welterweight is set to headline the preliminary card against Chris Mixan, who holds a 7-1 record and secured a first-round TKO victory in his PFL return last August. In a statement to Brandon Talks Fighting regarding the matchup at the SSE Arena, Sheridan said:
“He’s a great opponent, a strong boxer and striker with many knockout wins. I wouldn’t necessarily consider him the best I’ve faced, as I’ve competed against top-level opposition. He’s just another good fighter, and I plan to take him out like the others.”
Another promising fighter from SBG Ireland is bantamweight Ciaran Clarke. Fighting out of Drogheda, Ireland, Clarke has long been recognized by Irish fans as a future star in the sport. His PFL debut at PFL Belfast provides a global platform to showcase his skills. Clarke has been inactive since September 2024, marking his longest break since turning professional in 2019.
After spending his entire professional career with Bellator, Clarke now stands at 10-0 and faces a step up in competition against the well-known English fighter Dean Garnett. Garnett suffered a controversial stoppage defeat in his last outing at PFL Lyon, concluding 2025 on an unfortunate note after securing two victories earlier in the year. In his PFL debut in 2024, he participated in what is considered one of the best MMA fights ever against Lewis McGrillen and has since become a valuable addition to the PFL’s 135lb roster.
The second bout of the night will be an all-Irish contest between two promising prospects making only their second professional walk to the cage. Eoghan Masoliver, from Fight Academy Ireland, another top Irish gym, is a highly-discussed bantamweight who made his professional debut just a month ago at Cage Conflict. Masoliver boasts an impressive amateur record, having won multiple titles across various organizations. His opponent will be Shane Mullen, another Irishman with a 1-0 record, also making his PFL debut. Mullen’s sole professional victory came in June 2025 with a 28-second D’Arce choke submission in Pisa at Tower Cage Fighting.
Who will make the most significant impression at PFL Belfast?
