Lewis McGrillen reached the pinnacle of PFL Europe last year when he became the 2024 PFL Europe bantamweight champion, and now he looks to follow that up with a major co-main event battle in Belfast. McGrillen is a known finisher, with 10 of his 11 victories coming via knockout, including six in the first round. McGrillen’s 2024 PFL campaign saw a decision win over Matiss Zaharovs, a third-round knockout of Dean Garnett in one of PFL’s greatest fights ever and a second-round finish of Alexander Luster to capture the title.

 

A pro since 2011 with 37 fights to his credit, Alan Philpott is a former BAMMA British Bantamweight Champion who will be competing in Belfast for the first time in over a decade. A submission grappling specialist, Philpott has competed all around the world and has only been stopped via strikes once in his career. Philpott last fought in February, scoring a first-round knockout of Tomoya Hirakawa.

 

Which of these two will stand tall in tonight’s co-main event in Belfast?

 

 

Round 1

 

McGrillen out quickly. Low kick from McGrillen. Philpott with a low kick. The two exchange. Strong body kick from Philpott. Low kicks from both men. Left hand from McGrillen. Right hand from Philpott. Short right hand from McGrillen. Left hook partially lands for Philpott. Philpott catches a kick and takes McGrillen down. Stiff right hand from the top. McGrillen quickly works his way back to his feet. Left hand from McGrillen. McGrillen aims for the body. Counter right hook from Philpott. Philpott with a body lock, but McGrillen shoves him off. Philpott kick to the body is blocked. Combination from McGrillen.

 

Low kick from Philpott and a left hand from McGrillen. Short punch to the chin of McGrillen. McGrillen continuing to press, but Philpott continues to land short strikes. Front kick and a left hand miss for Philpott. Philpott with a counter strike. Right hand to the body misses for Philpott. McGrillen pressures and fires a one-two. Philpott with a low kick. McGrillen misses a wild left. McGrillen firing off elbows on a retreating Philpott. Low kick from Philpott. Left hand from McGrillen. Low kick from Philpott. And another. Right hand and a body kick from Philpott. Left hand from Philpott. McGrillen lands a strong left hand. A little bit of a flurry. Philpott backs up and changes levels. He scores a takedown, but McGrillen suddenly reverses and gets to Philpott’s back! The round ends in that position, with McGrillen’s hooks in.

 

 

Round 2

 

McGrillen out quickly again, looking to pressure McGrillen. Philpott catches him off balance with a low kick. McGrillen fires off a combination. Head kick from Philpott lands. Right hand from Philpott. One-two from McGrillen. Philpott lands now. McGrillen with a level change and a slam in the center of the SmartCage! Some ground-and-pound from McGrillen here. He’s got Philpott's back again. Philpott trying to fight McGrillen’s arms. Philpott tries to scramble, but McGrillen gets him back in a body triangle. Elbows to the body from Philpott. Philpott tries to posture, and he gets McGrillen off of him.

 

Now it’s Philpott with a takedown, ending up in side control! Elbow from Philpott. Philpott goes for a guillotine, but McGrillen scrambles, escaping and ending up back in side control. McGrillen returns to Philpott’s back, and back to the body triangle. McGrillen locks up the rear-naked choke and secures the submission win!

 

 

Lewis McGrillen shows off the speed and grind that got him the PFL Europe Championship last year!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Lewis McGrillen defeats Alan Philpott by 2nd round submission (rear-naked choke, 3:17) in a bantamweight showcase fight

 

McGrillen moves his career record to 12-1 with his first career submission, his 11th career finish (10 knockouts)

 

McGrillen fights out of Manchester, England, is 24 years old and goes by the nickname “The McGrizzla”

 

McGrillen was the 2024 PFL Europe Bantamweight Champion