After originally gaining fame in a viral MMA press conference moment, Nate Kelly gets his chance to make an impression on a big stage in his fourth amateur MMA bout. Kelly, a multiple-time kickboxing champion who also has a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, made his amateur MMA debut earlier this year and comes into tonight’s bout sporting a 1-2 record. Kelly, who trains at SBG under John Kavanagh, most recently fought in a multiple-day tournament in July, defeating Thomas Cowell but getting submitted by Befan Hall.
Callum Seaton, an amateur prospect fighting out of Hybrid MMA, also made his amateur debut this year and comes into this fight with a 1-3 record. A native of Northern Ireland, Seaton fought just last month, getting stopped by Thomas Corrigan.
Both men look to score their second amateur win and impress in this amateur flyweight showcase
Round 1
High kick by Kelly, which Seaton guards. Low kick by Kelly, followed by a high one. Kelly tries to get offense going, but Seaton wraps him up in a body lock and brings him over to the fence. Knee on the inside by Kelly. Seaton with a shoulder strike. Kelly is able to get out of the body lock and lands a strong combination. Side kick to the body from Kelly. Low kick from Seaton.
Kelly bouncing in and out in his stance. High kick again from Kelly, and Seaton again tries a body lock. Kelly reverses and scores a takedown, and he gets right to work with a kimura attempt. Seaton tries to scramble but Kelly counters and looks for a D’Arce choke. Seaton tries to get out again but ends up in the full mount of Kelly. Kelly gets to Seaton’s back quickly and locks in a rear-naked choke! Seaton gets out of it but remains in Kelly’s mount until scrambling out right before the horn.
NATE KELLY!#PFLDublin LIVE NOW
— PFL Europe (@PFLEurope) December 8, 2023
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Round 2
Kelly out on the front foot after a highly successful first round. Seaton tries to come in with a flurry but eats a counter shot from Kelly. Seaton tries for a body lock, but Kelly reverses and gets Seaton down again. Some ground-and-pound by Kelly. Kelly has a front headlock position in and locks in an anaconda choke. Seaton taps out!
There's the TAP! Nate Kelly gets the first W in front of the hometown crowd!#PFLDublin LIVE NOW
— PFL Europe (@PFLEurope) December 8, 2023
🇪🇺 DAZN
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OFFICIAL RESULT
Nate Kelly def. Callum Seaton via second-round submission (anaconda choke, 0:51)