Nathan Kelly gets his second first round finish in the SmartCage

Our next bout features Nathan Kelly who hopes to become the next big MMA star hailing from the Emerald Isle taking on Zack Hicks who carries a three fight win streak into this bout.  Kelly made his PFL debut at the 2022 PFL Playoffs in Cardiff with an impressive first round finish and seeks to prove it was no fluke as he looks to earn a PFL contract tonight. Hicks, a highschool teacher when he is not fighting, held a fantastic 13-4 amateur record and looks to prove his current winning streak is a true reflection of his fighting ability in the SmartCage tonight.

Round 1 

The bell rings and both fighters rush to take the center of the SmartCage as Kelly begins to start moving forward and backing Hicks up as Hicks fires a glancing low kick.  A minute in and it’s been a bit of a slow start so far as both fighters try to find the range.

Kelly engages the clinch and presses hicks into the SmartCage, jockeying for a bit before Kelly eventually finds a body lock trip and lands in side control on top.  Hicks is attempting to walk the cage but Kelly is doing everything right, following him and passing to mount with about three minutes remaining and quickly beginning to attack the arm triangle and just like that it’s over! Kelly sinches it up and Hicks taps, that’s all she wrote folks!

𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗪𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 FOR NATHAN KELLY!#PFLonFubo LIVE NOW | @fuboSports
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— PFL (@PFLMMA) March 4, 2023

OFFICIAL RESULT 

Nathan Kelly gets his second first round finish in the SmartCage as he hunts for a PFL contract.

Nathan Kelly def. Zack Hicks via first round submission (Arm Triangle, 2:40)