PFL World Tournament 8 – Nathan Kelly vs Fred Dupras – Full Fight Replay Available Today

Nathan Kelly and Fred Dupras met in a featherweight prelim at PFL World Tournament 8 on August 1, 2025, inside Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall in a matchup that promised slick grappling and high-pressure scrambles. Kelly opened by testing Dupras with quick jabs and low kicks, looking to keep space, while Dupras responded by closing the distance and forcing him to the fence. The early clinch exchanges were a battle for position, with Dupras relentlessly searching for takedowns and Kelly showing sharp defensive hips to stay upright through the first minute.

The fight eventually hit the mat when Dupras timed a well-placed shot and dragged Kelly down into half guard. From there, the Canadian prospect began to chip away with short elbows and punches, staying active to prevent any referee stand-up. Kelly tried to set up a guillotine from the bottom, but Dupras stayed calm, slowly advancing position and threatening to pass while keeping control. The first round ended with Dupras applying heavy pressure from the top, giving him a visible edge on the scorecards.

Round two followed a similar script with Dupras taking control early. A quick takedown brought the fight back to the canvas, where he once again imposed his will. Kelly made a brief escape back to his feet, but as he attempted to circle away, Dupras wrapped up a tight guillotine choke. Kelly initially tried to fight the hands, but the pressure of the hold forced a tap that the referee did not immediately see, and seconds later Kelly went limp, leading to a technical submission stoppage at 4:38 of the second round.

The win moved Dupras to 9–2, all victories by way of submission, and marked a statement debut in the PFL cage. Kelly, who fell to 11–5, showed toughness and composure under pressure, but the sustained grappling attack proved too much to handle. For Dupras, this performance solidified him as a dangerous name in the featherweight division, displaying the kind of control and finishing instinct that few can match on the tournament stage.