The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is set to make its second European appearance of 2026 with PFL Belfast this Thursday. While the original headliner, Irish MMA star Paul Hughes, had to withdraw due to injury, undefeated compatriot Darragh Kelly has stepped in to face “The Maori Kid” Jay Jay Wilson in the main event. The card also features a host of seasoned veterans and promising Irish talents eager to impress in front of their home crowd.
Irish Prospects Shine at PFL Belfast
In the lightweight main event, Darragh Kelly (9-0) aims to maintain his unblemished record against New Zealander Jay Jay Wilson (11-2). Wilson, who will be looking to get back into the win column, represents a significant challenge. Kelly has a strong track record in Bellator and PFL, with a 78% finish rate, and achieved two submission wins in his PFL appearances last year. He will be aiming for a similar outcome to kickstart his 2026 campaign and climb the PFL rankings.
At 170lbs, Eoin Sheridan (4-0), hailing from the renowned SBG Ireland gym, will headline the preliminary card. Sheridan, who has trained alongside Conor McGregor, stands at 6ft 5″ and will face the 7-1 Chris Mixan. Mixan is coming off a first-round TKO victory in his PFL return last August. Sheridan, when speaking to Brandon Talks Fighting about the matchup at the SSE Arena, stated, “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 notable prospect from SBG Ireland is bantamweight Ciaran Clarke (10-0). Clarke, from Drogheda, has long been recognized by Irish fans as a future star. This PFL Belfast debut presents him with an opportunity to showcase his abilities on a global scale. Clarke’s last fight was in September 2024, marking his longest hiatus since turning professional in 2019. He will face a step up in competition against the well-known Englishman Dean Garnett. Garnett’s last outing in PFL Lyon ended in a controversial stoppage loss, concluding 2025 on a disappointing note after two earlier wins. His PFL debut in 2024 against Lewis McGrillen was a highly regarded fight, and he has since become a valuable addition to the PFL’s 135lb roster.
The second fight of the night will be an all-Irish contest between two promising bantamweight prospects, Eoghan Masoliver and Shane Mullen, both making their second professional walk to the cage. Masoliver, representing Fight Academy Ireland, made his professional debut just last month at Cage Conflict and boasts an impressive amateur background with multiple titles. His opponent, Shane Mullen, also holds a 1-0 record and is making his PFL debut. Mullen’s sole 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 deliver the most impactful performance at PFL Belfast?