Preview: PFL 8 ‘Ferreira vs. Greene’

Tristen CritchfieldAug 15, 2023

Featherweights

Nathan Kelly (7-2, 1-0 PFL) vs. Damion Nelson (4-3, 0-0 PFL)

Kelly is the A-side in this matchup, an SBG Ireland product currently in the midst of a seven-bout winning streak. The 26-year-old has rolled through the competition of late, earning first-round submission wins over Ben Ellis at a PFL playoff event in 2022 and against Zachary Hicks on the PFL Challenger Series in March. Kelly is an aggressive fighter who is willing to pressure his opponent with punches in order to close the distance. The Irishman will utilize trips and throws from the clinch and is relentless with mat returns and pressure should his foe return to standing. Kelly is accustomed to imposing his will in short order: Outside of a decision win against Scott Pederson at Bellator 275, all of his professional triumphs have occurred inside of a round.

A Serra-Longo Fight Team member with experience in Northeast regional promotions such as Cage Fury Fighting Championships, CES MMA and Ring of Combat, Nelson is here to attract local interest to the event. However, “Dynamite” has lost three of his last four, so it seems like the PFL is more interested in furthering Kelly’s progress at this point. If Nelson can drag out the fight, he may be able to tire or frustrate an adversary who has grown accustomed to getting the job done in five minutes or less. Still, Kelly has momentum on his side. He gets it done inside the distance.

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Ferreira vs. Greene
Pacheco vs. Kolesnyk
Goltsov vs. Heiderman
Mokhnatkina vs. Leibrock
Kelly vs. Nelson
The Prelims