PFL is returning to Northern Ireland for PFL Belfast this Thursday, marking their second European event of 2026.
Although the original headliner and Irish MMA star Paul Hughes had to withdraw due to injury, undefeated compatriot Darragh Kelly has stepped in to headline the event against “The Maori Kid” Jay Jay Wilson. The card also features a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging Irish talent aiming to impress in front of a home crowd.
Irish Prospects at PFL Belfast
In the main event, lightweight Darragh Kelly aims to maintain his undefeated record and reach 10-0 against Jay Jay Wilson. The New Zealander, with a 11-2 record, will be looking to get back in the win column in Ireland and potentially upset the home crowd. Kelly has had eight professional bouts under Bellator or PFL, boasting a 78% finish rate. His two PFL appearances last year both ended in submission victories. The Irishman is hoping for a similar outcome to kick off his 2026 campaign and climb the new PFL rankings.
At 170lbs, the imposing Eoin Sheridan from the renowned SBG Ireland gym is set to compete. Sheridan, who has sparred with Conor McGregor, represents the strong presence of his gym at PFL Belfast. With a 4-0 record, the 6’5″ welterweight will headline the preliminary card against Chris Mixan (7-1), who secured a first-round TKO victory in his PFL return last August. Sheridan commented on the matchup at the SSE Arena to Brandon Talks Fighting: “Yeah he’s a great opponent, great boxing good striker he’s got a lot of knockouts. Would I consider him the best I fought, not necessarily I’ve fought some top level opposition. So yeah he’s just another good fighter and I’m looking to take him out like the rest of them.”
Another SBG Ireland prospect, bantamweight Ciaran Clarke, is also featured. Fighting out of Drogheda, Ireland, Clarke has long been considered a future star by Irish fans. PFL Belfast provides him with a global platform for his PFL debut. Clarke has been inactive since September 2024, marking his longest break since turning professional in 2019. He faces a significant step up in competition against the well-known Englishman Dean Garnett, moving from Bellator where he held a 10-0 record. Garnett is coming off a controversial stoppage loss at PFL Lyon, ending 2025 on a disappointing note after two wins earlier in the year. Garnett’s PFL debut in 2024 against Lewis McGrillen was considered one of the best MMA fights ever, and he has since become a valuable addition to the PFL’s 135lb roster.
The second fight of the night is an all-Irish contest between two promising prospects making only their second professional walk to the cage. Eoghan Masoliver, from Fight Academy Ireland, is a highly anticipated bantamweight who made his professional debut just last month at Cage Conflict. Masoliver has an impressive amateur background, having won multiple titles across various organizations. Facing him is 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 swift 28-second D’Arce choke win at Tower Cage Fighting in Pisa.
The question remains: who will make the most significant impact at PFL Belfast?
