The co-main event has been confirmed for PFL Europe Belfast on May 10. And it's a tasty one for fans.
We already know that Paul 'Big News' Hughes will headline the SSE Arena against Bruno 'Robusto' Miranda.
And now it has been announced that Alan 'Super Ali' Philpott (21-16) will be co-main event. The 32-year-old from Ballymena will take on Manchester's Lewis "The McGrizzla" McGrillen (11-1).
It is a huge opportunity for Philpott who will have plenty of home support at the SSE Arena. Growing up, he trained at IMMA Ballymena alongside Norman 'Stormin' Parke and Greg 'The Hitman' Loughran who were the top Lightweights in the country at the time.
Philpott also trained with UFC’s Rhys 'Skeleton' McKee, and would go on to become one of his first coaches. He then moved to Liverpool to train at Aspire MMA under Dean Garnett.
The Ballymena man has spent the last several years training in Australia, and was involved in Alex Volkanovski’s camp for his second fight with Max Holloway. He also trains with the likes of Jamie Malarkey, Ross Pearson, and Joshua Culibao.
Speaking ahead of May 10, Philpott said: “As the saying goes, there’s no place like home, and that’s definitely the case when it comes to fighting. Walking out in Belfast on the MMA stage is a dream come true.
"You can expect the performance of my life going into this fight. It’s been 11 years since I fought back home, so to get an opportunity to co-main at The SSE Arena, that’s a dream come true in itself."
McGrillen is the 2024 PFL Europe Bantamweight champion, who had a Fight of the Year contender in the semi-final against Dean Garnett at PFL Europe Glasgow last September. The 24-year-old is known for his prolific left hand, with 10 of his 11 wins coming by KO/TKO.
Training under Carl Prince at Manchester Top Team and alongside rising UFC star Lerone Murphy, McGrillen is coming to The SSE Arena on May 10 in Belfast to make a statement.
Philpott believes he has the style to dismantle his opponent.
He added: "I’ve got the perfect style I believe to counter McGrillen in an area. He’s a tough fighter, he’s going to come and push the pace from the start.
"I’ve got to be fit, I’ve got to be smart and switched on at all times because he has got the power. The left hand that could put me away at any time.
"But whenever I face someone like that it excited me, it makes me progress and I will excel in this and show the best performance of my career. This fight will be 'Water vs Fire'.
"He’s the fire coming out guns blazing looking to kill, throws everything at any time, whereas I’ll be the opposite, I’ll be the water looking to be calm, collected and pick my shots to break him down slowly.
"Just like water does to fire, I’ll put that flame out."
Tickets available on ticketmaster.ie .
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