Trained under John Kavanagh at the well-established SBG Gym in Ireland, Nathan Kelly has risen up the featherweight ranks in a big way. After dropping his first two pro MMA fights, Kelly enters tonight on a 10-fight win streak. Kelly, who has eight finishes to his name already, is 4-0 in the PFL and 2-0 in Bellator. His last fight came at the Bellator event in Belfast in March, where he scored a first-round knockout of Vikas Singh Ruhil.

 

Jose Sanchez is an accomplished grappler, holding a brown belt in jiu-jitsu, and he has shown strong striking mixed in. Sanchez started his pro career with 11 straight wins, and he hopes to score his first win in Bellator here tonight, riding in on a three-fight unbeaten streak. Sanchez last fought in April, scoring a first-round submission of Darwin Luna Ortez.

 

Who will continue their rise in momentum here?

 

 

Round 1

 

Kelly moving laterally as Sanchez looks to come in. Kelly flashes the jab. Sanchez comes in with the one-two and misses. Low kick from Sanchez and a left hand from Kelly. Low kick from Kelly. Low kick from Sanchez. Kelly presses Sanchez against the fence. Kelly manages to twist his opponent to the floor. Kelly gets in side control and is looking to step over. Sanchez looking for a kimura, but he can’t find it.

 

Kelly trying to clear the guard, but he’s trapped by the fence. Sanchez gets aggressive, and Kelly is able to get to the back, bringing both hooks in. Kelly gets back up and lands some big ground-and-pound. Sanchez now looking for the takedown and he’s pressing Kelly against the fence. Sanchez gets him down briefly. Now Sanchez is looking for Kelly’s back! Sanchez still in pursuit, but Kelly reverses it into a ninja choke! And Sanchez gets the tap!

 

 

Nathan Kelly with a solid submission and another strong performance in the Bellator cage!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Nathan Kelly def. Jose Sanchez via first-round submission (front-naked choke, 3:42)