'Reset' Darragh Kelly targets first pro title

After five weeks honing the basics in Thailand, Darragh Kelly believes he's ready to unleash a new version of himself this weekend.

'The Moville Mauler' meets Brazilian Andre Ferreira on Sunday at the Crowne Plaza in Belfast.

The Clan Wars lightweight title – potentially Kelly's first belt as a professional mixed martial artist - is up for grabs.

After moving to 3-0 as a pro with a second round stoppage of Dorval Jordan at the 3Arena in February, Kelly headed for Thailand.

'Best I've ever felt': Jordan Furey ready for pro debut

Letterkenny mixed martial artist Jordan Furey makes his professional debut in the cage this Sunday in Belfast

At the Bangtao Muay Thai and MMA gym in Phuket, he worked closely with coach Rungthiwa Saeng.

“I have a new outlook on fighting now,” Kelly told Donegal Live. “It was like a reset and I feel that I'm in a very different place. I feel more aggressive.

“I really enjoyed the striking aspect of it out there and I have changed my opinion: For the first time, I'm going in to hurt.”

Kelly has a five-fight contract with Bellator, who have given the 25-year-old permission to fight outside of that deal on the Clan Wars 47 card this weekend.

Kelly is expected to have fights under Bellator's banner in September and February, by which time he aims to have extended his so-far unblemished record to 6-0.

With Letterkenny man Jordan Furey making his pro debut, meeting Gabriel Marcello in a lightweight contest, and Ballybofey's Andrew MacPherson also featuring, a vocal Donegal contingent can be expected.

Darragh Kelly sparring with Brendan Loughnane in Thailand

As the headline act, Kelly believes he is well primed now to shine in the cage.

“I really that I turned a corner in Thailand,” he said. “I have a new mindset now. Even techniques I thought that I had down to a tee, I soon realised that I don't. They pull right back, even on the basics.

“Saeng was even critiquing my leg kicks, which are a fairly basic shot, on week five. Every single thing was analysed. I feel that there is definitely a better version of me coming.”

Kelly sparred often with Brendan Loughnane, the PFL (Professional Fighters League) featherweight world champion, in Thailand. Loughnane is coached by Buncrana man John Hutchinson, who works with other top fighters, also including UFC Bantamweight champion Petr Yan.

“Brendan is in camp too and it was great to get that sparring,” Kelly said. “It was good to link up with John. In the future, it would be good to link up again for some work.”

Kelly, trained by John Kavanagh at the Straight Blast Gym (SBG) in Dublin, is equipped to make light work of Ferreira, who holds a 2-4 pro record.

Kelly said: “Really, I need to be going through these guys.”