'Everything lined up' for Kelly against Wilson
Moville's Darragh Kelly says "everything has lined up" as he prepares to headline Thursday's PFL card at Belfast's SSE Arena. The unbeaten lightweight steps in to face New Zealand's Jay Jay Wilson in the main event following the withdrawal of Paul Hughes through injury . While Kelly expressed disappointment for Hughes after open workouts at Victoria Square on Wednesday, he is determined to seize the opportunity on home soil.
"It's very unfortunate for Paul, my heart goes out to him, but it's fallen to me now," Kelly told BBC Sport NI. "I'm just excited and grateful. It doesn't get bigger than this for me.
It feels like everything I've done in MMA has lined up for this moment. " The Straight Blast Gym fighter takes on number seven-ranked lightweight Wilson and expects a demanding contest as he seeks to climb the rankings. "We know what he brings, very dangerous and unorthodox, but we've found holes in his game," he added.
"I'm not going in expecting a finish like my usual fights. I'm prepared for three hard rounds, a real war. "A win over Jay Jay and then one more, surely I'm in contention.
" Kelly also welcomed the increasing number of recognised former UFC fighters joining the PFL, including Rhys McKee and Caolan Loughran. "It's brilliant for the sport and brilliant for PFL," he added. "The more high-level names with big support, the more eyes we get on it.