Jay‑Jay Wilson stunned Belfast with a 37‑second knockout of Donegal's Darragh Kelly. The seventh‑ranked lightweight cut through Kelly’s early jabs, landing a left kick and a decisive hook that cut the contest short. Wilson, returning from an October loss to Archie Colgan, entered as the visiting fighter and absorbed the crowd’s roar before heading to San Diego for a potential June fight.

The bout shifted when Paul Hughes withdrew with a knee injury, forcing Wilson to face Kelly instead. The win is Wilson’s first professional victory over an Irish opponent and propels him toward a June showdown with Alfie Davies in San Diego. It also marks a milestone for The Maori Kid, who cites his heritage as a source of inspiration for troubled youth today.

Wilson’s rapid finish silences the SSE Arena and boosts his PFL ranking prospects. Meanwhile, co‑main event winner Rhys McKee earned a unanimous 30‑27 decision over Alex Lohore, cementing his debut in the league. Caolan Loughran and Eoghan Masoliver also secured first‑round victories, showcasing Fight Academy Ireland’s depth as the event wrapped for the season ahead now today.