Darragh Kelly: “I think he’s going to be a tough fight, but I don’t see him lasting. I make them an enemy in my own head”

DUBLIN, IRELAND – Just days away from another historic event in Dublin, Ireland, the fighters of BELLATOR MMA 285: Henderson vs. Queally spoke to the media today ahead of their fights scheduled for this Friday, September 23 at the 3Arena.

Headlined by a five-round main event between Benson “Smooth” Henderson (29-11) ranked No. 3 and local hero and Peter “The Showstopper” Queally ranked No. 5 (13-6-1), BELLATOR 285 is supported by a delicious cast of MMA’s top talent, with legends of the sport, local stars and international challengers hoping to crash the Irish party.

The co-main event features No. 8-ranked light heavyweight veteran Yoel “Soldier of God” Romero (14-6) taking on another legend of the sport in Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef (32-15-1).

The main card will air live in the US on SHOWTIME at 4 pm ET/1 pm ET.

Overseas, the main card will be broadcast live in the UK on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer and in Ireland on Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Sport from 9pm BST. The preliminary card will be broadcast live in the UK on BBC iPlayer and in Ireland on Virgin Media from 6pm BST.

DARRAGH KELLY: BELLATOR LIGHTWEIGHT: “It’s only my second fight, but now I feel very comfortable. I have that feeling of struggle when I come here. I’m very comfortable here.” “I think it will be a difficult test. A very tough striker who likes to get ahead. I think it’s going to be a tough fight, but I don’t see it lasting. I make them an enemy in my own head. I don’t see this as just another day at the office, you have to go in and hurt people. There is nothing personal for him, but all my opponents are my enemies. You come to take half my money. “I put in a lot of work. I focus a lot on my cardio at camp. I know what I can do; I know what pace I can push.” “It means everything to me, exhibiting. I love where I’m from; everyone really supports me from home. A few hundred of them come, and it’s a hike for them, so I always want to make them proud.” “I think a great performance is going to help me. I just need to keep showing up, and I’m sure the opportunity will come. I always go prepared for fifteen, I don’t know if I expect fifteen. I see the end. Maybe not so fast: first round, I imagine. If not, I’ll take it out in the second.” “I wouldn’t have believed it if you had asked me a few months ago. It’s a dream.”

BELLATOR 285: HENDERSON VS. QUEALLY FIGHT CARD:

MAIN CARD: SHOWTIME (US) / BBC Three (UK) / Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND)Friday September 23: 9pm GMT/4pm ET/1pm PT

Lightweight fight: #3: Benson Henderson (29-11) vs. #5: Peter Queally (13-6-1) Light heavyweight fight: #7: Yoel Romero (14-6) vs. #9: Melvin Manhoef ( 32)-15-1)Women’s Featherweight Fight: #5-Leah McCourt (6-2) vs. #9-Dayana Silva (10-7)Featherweight Fight: #3-Mads Burnell (16-4) vs. #5-Pedro Carvalho (12-6) Featherweight fight: Ciaran Clarke (5-0) vs. Raphael Hudson (5-3)

PRELIMINARY CARD: BELLATOR MMA YouTube Channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel | Pluto TV (US) BBC iPlayer (UK) | Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND) 6pm GMT/1pm ET/10am PT

Bantamweight fight: Brett Johns (18-3) vs. Jordan Winski (12-3) Bantamweight fight: Brian Moore (14-9) vs. Arivaldo Lima da Silva (19-10) Light heavyweight fight: #6-Karl Albrektsson (13-3) vs. Karl Moore (9-2) Lightweight fight: Darragh Kelly (1-0) vs. Kye Stevens (3- 1, 1 NC) Lightweight fight: Georgi Karakhanyan (31-13-1) vs. Kane Mousah (13-4) Featherweight fight: Kenny Mokhonoana (3-0) vs. Alex Bodnar (4-1) Featherweight fight: Asael Adjoudj (3-1) vs. Jordan Barton (7-2) Welterweight fight: Dante Schiro (9-3) vs. Luca Poclit (7-1)

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer and Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. He is passionate about combat sports and also hosts a podcast for Sitting Ringside. He is also a former MMA Fighter and Kickboxer.

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