Darragh Kelly has UFC dream with Bellator future uncertain 

Darragh Kelly is well aware that Saturday could be his last time to fight on a Bellator card in Ireland - and the Moville man wants to make the most of it.

‘Moville Mauler’ Kelly (4-0) faces Dutchman Jelle Zeegers (2-2) at the 3Arena in Dublin as part of Bellator 299.

The SBG Dublin-trained Kelly signed a five-fight deal with Bellator, but may not see out that deal as rumours over the future of the promotion circle.

Professional Fighters League (PFL) was said to have been close to an agreement to acquire the Viacom-owned Bellator. However, in recent days those talks are said to have broken down.

Some leading mixed martial arts commentators are predicting that Bellator could now fold completely after Bellator 301 in Chicago on November 17.

“There are a lot of rumours about the sale and if it is the case then, more or likely I would be left as a free agent,” Kelly told Donegal Live.

Kelly has discussed things with coaches John Kavanagh and Dave Roche. The UFC - where his SBG stablemate Conor McGregor hit global stardom - has been an obvious target for the Moville man.

“A few more wins, maybe get to 9-0 and there’s no reason I couldn’t go to the UFC,” Kelly said. “Ever since I started, the UFC is where it’s at; it’s the Premier League in MMA.

“I have been very happy with Bellator and they have been so good for me. I have got myself into a good position with Bellator. I just don’t know what will happen with Bellator now going forward, but I’m so thankful for what they’ve done for my career.”

Kelly and Zeegers clash in a featherweight bout slated for five rounds on Saturday, as part of a card headlined by the Bellator MMA Middleweight Championship bout between Johnny Eblen (13-0) and Fabian Edwards (12-2).

Kelly was granted permission to fight out of his Bellator contract in June when he stopped Andre Ferreira via a d’arce choke in the second round to win the vacant Clan Wars lightweight title in Belfast.

The 25-year-old has beaten Junior Morgan, Kye Stevens and Dorval Jordan at the 3Arena. If this weekend is to draw a line beneath Bellator being hosted at the Dublin Docklands, Kelly wants to sign off in style.

He said: “Bellator Dublin has been the pillar of Irish MMA for the last ten years and I’ve been so lucky to have been a part of that. I’ve been lucky to get my pro debut and a few fights. It has been a nice chapter in my career and I’ve built up a great team of sponsors who are behind me all the way.

“It’s taken a lot of work to get here. As long as I can stay unbeaten now and make it a memorable one I’ll leave myself in a good place after the weekend.”