Bellator Champion Series will be returning this Saturday when they head over to Dublin, Ireland. Bellator Champion Series will return with Jason Jackson looking to defend his Bellator Welterweight title. He will be looking to defend his title against Ramzan Kuramagomedov. This will be a welterweight battle which will be exciting to watch for the fans in attendance. While the fans can enjoy this fight there is also a lot of homegrown talent on offer this weekend. This includes Paul Hughes who is making his debut in Bellator after joining the PFL after his Cage Warriors contract expired. Sinead Kavanagh, Darragh Kelly, Nathan Kelly and Nate Kelly are also competing and looking to put a show on for their home country.
Before his fight this weekend against Mathias Poiron, Combat Sports UK was able to speak with Darragh Kelly. Combat Sports UK was able to speak to him about fighting in his home country as well as his upcoming fight.
Darragh Kelly on Fighting in Front of Home Crowd
A dream for every fighter will be fighting in front of their home crowd. This includes fighting in their home country as well as from the same city or town. Darragh was able to accomplish this last time he fought when he came up against Jelly Zeegers. Darragh Kelly was able to get the 3rd round stoppage victory due to ground and pound. I was able to ask Kelly how it felt to perform in front of his home crowd. Explaining the occasion Kelly explained;
“It’s always amazing to fight in the 3arena In front of the Irish crowd, when times are tough during a fight they get behind you and spur you on and when things are going well you can hear the chants and how everyone’s enjoying the fight. It’s always a serious atmosphere”
This shows how important having the crowd behind you can be. If a fighter is struggling inside the octagon then the crowd can get them behind them. This can get the fighter switched on to get the victory. Having the crowd behind you can play a massive role for fans as it gives them the belief they can secure the victory. Having fans behind you supporting you can show you that people believe in you and could even put some doubt in their opposition. Darragh Kelly will be looking to hear the crowd this Saturday as he looks to get another stoppage victory.
Does Fighting on Home Soil Bring Any Added Pressure
Being able to have the home crowd behind you can play a massive role in a fight. I wondered if it would also bring any more pressure on a fighter. This is due to the fighter possibly feeling that they need to put on a show to be able to please the crowd. If a fighter is more concerned about the crowd than the fight then they may make a mistake which would cause them to lose the fight. Talking about the pressure of fighting on home soil Kelly explained;
“Fighting in front of my home crowd doesn’t bring any extra pressure for me I actually feel like it’s an advantage for me having everyone behind you cheering you on.”
Having the home crowd behind you doesn’t bring any added pressure according to Darragh Kelly. Kelly doesn’t feel any more pressure to be able to put on a show and will follow his game plan for the victory. Kelly feels that instead of pressure it brings an advantage to any fighter being able to have the crowd behind you.
Last Fight Aginst Jelle Zeegers
The last time Darragh Kelly stepped foot inside the octagon was on the 23rd of September 2023. This was when Darragh Kelly appeared on the prelims of the Johnny Elben against Fabian Edwards Card. These two are supposed to have a rematch when the Bellator Champion Series heads to London on the 14th of September. During Kelly’s last appearance, he would be able to get the stoppage victory due to ground and pound in the 3rd round. Talking about how his last fight went and any improvements he has made Darragh Kelly said;
“I think the yelle fight went to plan although I feel he done a good job in defending strikes on the ground, this time I’ll look to cause more damage, I’ve improved all round the board since then I’m constantly trying to become as well rounded as I can.”
Kelly believed he thought that the fight went to plan and he was deserving of the stoppage victory. However, while he believes he did enough he gave Jelle Zeggers credit for being able to defend his strikes. Kelly believes that since that fight he has been able to become a more well-rounded fighter being able to improve in all areas of his game. He is looking to cause more damage when he enters the octagon this weekend and is looking to get the stoppage victory quicker than last time.
Training Camp
A big part of any fight preparation is being able to have a good training camp. Training camp is where a fighter will be watching back on fight tape. This is to be able to work out the best game plan. This is also the area where fighters can improve in certain aspects which will be able to give them an advantage instead of focusing on everything. I was able to speak to Kelly and ask his his training camp has been coming into this fight. Explaining how his training has gone Darragh Kelly explained;
“Training camp for this fight has been great it’s been long and tough but I feel like we have made a solid game plan and I’ve ticked every box in training In the lead up to it”
This shows that Darragh Kelly has been putting in the work in preparation for this up-and-coming fight. Kelly has put in the work and believes he has been able to come up with the perfect game plan. Kelly has ticked every box he would want to have ticked and is looking to put on a show for the Irish crowd once again.
Weaknesses of Mathias Poiron
Following on from asking Kelly about his training I talked about his opponent Mathias Poiron specifically. I was able to ask Kelly if there was anything he had seen especially about Poiron that he is looking to take advantage of. Explaining what he had seen Kelly said;
“Poiron it’s a well rounded fighter with an unorthodox style but myself And my coaches have seen a few holes in his game that we will look to exploit on fight night, he was also ko’d in his last outing something I think will be playing on his mind”
Darragh Kelly has been able to see a couple of things that he will be looking to take advantage of when the cage door closes. Kelly will be looking to take advantage of these holes to be able to get another stoppage victory. However, he also believes that Mathias Poiron’s stoppage defeat last time out will play on his mind. If he is concerned about this he may leave himself open in other areas which Kelly could look to take advantage of. Kelly will be looking to get another stoppage victory and look forward to the next fight.
Darragh Kelly on Dealing with Fan Pressure during Fight Week
Fans are always looking to see the next highlight reel finish so much that they are expecting one whenever a fighter enters the octagon. This being said fighters are going to have to deal with this expectation every time. Speaking about this pressure Kelly explained;
“Fight weeks never get any easier but you just learn to run with the emotions a little better, I try to make it as fun as possible, enjoy the break from the heavy training. Clothes shopping and look forward to the refuel”
This shows that there is a lot a fighter has to deal with during a fight week. However, Darragh Kelly explains that this pressure gets a lot easier after each fight. However, while there may be this pressure there are a lot of benefits which also happen during fight week and Kelly decides to focus his attention on more than the pressure.
Next Opponent
I was trying to find out if there was anyone that Darragh Kelly has an eye on. This is if he can go out and get the victory on Saturday. Fighters can have an eye on a certain fighter who they believe they want to fight next. I was wondering if there was anyone that Kelly was looking to fight. Explaining if he had anyone in mind Kelly said;
“I haven’t looked any further than poiron at this stage but with another win I’d like for a quick turn around fight, I’ve seen there are cards in September and November”
This shows that while there isn’t anyone in mind. He is looking to fight events are coming up that Kelly is looking to be a part of. If Kelly can get the victory this weekend he will look to try and get an opponent for one of these events.
Does Darragh Kelly Believe a UFC Shot Is Close?
Darragh Kelly is currently 5-0 and if he can get the stoppage victory this weekend he will increase this record to 6-0. While this is impressive it is with 5 stoppages. Dana White is always looking for the next fighter. Especially one who can get a stoppage victory. Kelly has proven he can stop a fight before going to the judges. Explaining if Kelly believes a UFC shot is close he explained;
“I haven’t thought toward the ufc right now, I’ve just signed a new 4 fight deal with Bellator/pfl and am excited to see how it goes Also excited to be back fighting at 155, for the last year I’ve fought at 145 and I think it just took a bit to much out of me, I feel fitter and stronger at lightweight and I’m looking to bring a violent exciting fight next week for the fans!”
This shows that Kelly is just concerned about Bellator and isn’t thinking ahead. This shows he is concentrated on what is in front and isn’t getting ahead of himself. Darragh has also moved back to lightweight for this fight. Kelly feels this will help in being able to get the victory. Not only will he get the victory but show the fans the best version of Darragh Kelly. We will have to wait and see what will happen after this weekend. However, if Kelly can get another stoppage victory then he is sure to get a big opportunity next time. Whether that is inside the Bellator Cage or with someone else. Another stoppage victory can bring big things for Darragh Kelly.
Featured image credit to Embed from Getty Images
