Darragh Kelly bags landmark Wembley win over Dmytrii Hrytsenko
Moville mixed martial artist Darragh Kelly handed Ukrainian Dmytrii Hrytsenko the first defeat of his career when earning a points win at the Bellator Champions Series card in Wembley
Darragh Kelly recorded the biggest win of his career on Saturday evening.
The Moville Mauler overcame Dmytrii Hrytsenko at the OVO Wembley Arena. Kelly took a points win 30-26, 30-26, 30-26 to hand Hrytsenko the first defeat of his professional career.
Hrytsenko arrived in London with a previously unblemished record, but his slate now reads 9-1. Ahead of this bout, Hrytsenko was on the cusp of a Bellator ranking, but Kelly, whose pro record extended to 7-0, is now making real noise in the Bellator promotion.
The Bellator Champions Series card was Kelly's first time in the cage outside of Ireland – and victory gives the Straight Blast Gym prospect a real leg-up to some lucrative possibilities.
Kelly got an early takedown in the opening round, but Hrytsenko rose swiftly again and the Ukrainian started his striking game only for the Donegal man to land a fine uppercut.
The John Kavanagh-trained Kelly unleashed a knee to Hrytsenko and nailed a pair of solid uppers to take the opening round.
At the outset of the second, Kelly began where he had left off in the first. It was tit-for-tat with Kelly's nose blooded after a series of blows from his opponent.
Kelly got his man at the cage and brought Hrytsenko to the floor. The night now was firmly in the palm of the Moville man.
Both men had a spring to their step at the start of the third with Kelly sweeping Hrytsenko off balance. Kelly repeated that trick soon after before Hrytsenko landed a low blow.
Referee Kerry Hatley deducted a point when Hrytsenko had a similar misdemeanour and Kelly, by now, was well on his way to a real landmark win.