Wilson KO shocks Belfast as McKee wins PFL debut
· Yahoo Sports
Jay-Jay Wilson stunned the Belfast crowd with a devastating first-round knockout of Donegal's Darragh Kelly, handing the Irishman his first professional defeat in just 37 seconds.
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'The Moville Mauler' Darragh Kelly saw his unbeaten record ended as he was stopped by seventh-ranked lightweight Jay-Jay Wilson in the main event at PFL Belfast.
Wilson had originally been scheduled to face Derry's Paul Hughes, but the bout was rearranged after Hughes withdrew due to a knee injury.
The New Zealander, who was returning from defeat to Archie Colgan last October, slipped Kelly's early jabs before landing a left kick and following up with a powerful left hook that ended the contest almost immediately, silencing the SSE Arena.
"I landed the side kick, set my base and once I saw it connect I sat on the hook, and that was all she wrote," said Wilson after the victory.
Despite entering as the away fighter, Wilson embraced the occasion and the crowd.
"Ireland, I love you guys… even though you were against me," he said, before targeting Alfie Davies for a potential June bout in San Diego.
Confident in his preparation, Wilson added: "I know what I'm capable of… I put my confidence in the work I do in the gym."
The victory marked a significant moment for "The Maori Kid", who also spoke about representing his background and inspiring others.
"If I can do it, anyone can do it," he said. "I want to lead the way for troubled youth."
In the co-main event, Ballymena's Rhys McKee marked his PFL debut with a hard-fought victory over Lohoré, earning a unanimous 30-27 decision after a competitive three-round contest.
Having been controlled early through grappling, McKee grew into the fight, finding success with his jab and striking in the second round.
The decisive moment came in the third, when McKee dropped Lohoré with a right hand before finishing strongly to secure victory.
"It was unbelievable… what a night in Belfast," McKee said.
"All I wanted was to be excited about fighting again and PFL answered."
The 30-year-old, whose bout was only confirmed in March, admitted it was a challenge but never considered turning it down.
"When PFL asks you to fight in your home city, what can you say? You have to do it."
McKee also reflected on the significance of competing in front of a home crowd.
"That will stay with me for the rest of my life. These nights are rare, you have to take them in."
Looking ahead, he added: "I'm coming for the PFL rankings… put Rhys McKee up."
Clean sweep for Fight Academy Ireland in Belfast
Fight Academy Ireland enjoyed a clean sweep at PFL Belfast, with Rhys McKee's team-mates Caolan Loughran and Eoghan Masoliver both claiming first-round victories on the prelim card.
County Tyrone's Loughran secured his first PFL win emphatically, submitting Alan Philpott via face crank inside the opening round.
Competing at featherweight, the 28-year-old asserted control early, taking Philpott down twice within the first minute before forcing the finish.
The victory moves Loughran to 11-3 and marks a strong response following his debut defeat to Jack Cartwright.
Afterwards, he suggested a permanent move up in weight could be on the horizon.
"It's a big cut, and after speaking to Paul [Hughes], I learned how much he benefited from moving up," he said.
"I felt like my strength was at a peak version of myself."
Reflecting on a difficult period, having last won over Nathan Fletcher in the UFC more than a year ago, Loughran said:
"It's a lonely game and this sport filters out the weak. But for me there was a lot of new energy — a new gym, a new city — and it has changed my mindset."
Earlier, Derry prospect Masoliver impressed on his PFL debut, submitting Shane Mullen in just under two minutes.
The 21-year-old bantamweight secured a composed rear-naked choke to claim his fourth consecutive first-round stoppage.
"What an opportunity to do this in Belfast," he said.
"This is what I dreamed about as a young kid in Derry."