PFL Europe: Seven Irish fighters feature on Dublin card as John Mitchell and Frans Mlambo headline
- Planet Sport writer
- 3 days ago
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has confirmed that seven Irish athletes will compete at the 2023 PFL Europe Championship on Friday, December 8th from the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland.
John Mitchell, representing Cork, will face Jakub Kaszuba from Poland for the Lightweight Championship on the inaugural finals night of PFL Europe.
Dublin’s own Frans Mlambo will also enter the PFL Smartcage to take on Khurshed Kakhorov from Germany for the Bantamweight crown.
The stakes could not be higher with both Mitchell and Mlambo competing on Irish soil to become the first Irishmen to win a PFL Europe Championship and the $100,000 prize.
The 2023 PFL Europe Championship will also see two other PFL Europe title fights including rising English star Simeon Powell taking on the hard-hitting Jakob Nedoh (Slovenia) for the Light-heavyweight title.
Meanwhile, Dakota Ditcheva (England) will look to go 10-0 against Dublin-native Valentina Scatizzi (Italy) for the Women's Flyweight title.
Beyond the four PFL Europe title fights, the PFL announced today the addition of several exceptional Irish athletes to what is one of the most stacked cards to take place in Ireland.
Irish stars added to the card include Nate Kelly, Dylan Tuke, Andreeas Binder and Ben Davis, who will all compete in showcase bouts.
Nate Kelly is on an incredible eight-fight win streak and Dylan Tuke is looking for a quick bounce back from a close decision loss in the PFL Europe Playoffs in Paris last month.
Also added to the December 8th card is the PFL debut of Galway’s Andreeas Binder, taking on Daniele Scatizzi. Daniele is the brother of Valentina Scatizzi and this will be the first time a brother and sister have competed in the PFL Smartcage.
The hugely experienced stalwart of the Irish MMA scene, Ben Davis, will also make his debut as he looks to join the PFL roster for 2024.
Finally, one of Ireland’s most highly rated prospects, Nate ‘The Great’ Kelly, will make his PFL debut in his home city.
The 19 year old teenage sensation is a 2 x Amateur World Champion and 11 x National Kickboxing Champion. Nate is widely regarded as the future of the sport in Ireland.
Dan Hardy, Head of Fighter Operations for PFL Europe said: “Supporting the two Irish representatives in the championship bouts, we have a stacked undercard of Irish stars ready to put on a show for the Dublin fans.
"From high level amateurs to the next generation of European and World champions, PFL Europe in Dublin will showcase the best of Irish talent that the Emerald Isle has to offer.”
PFL Europe Championship fights
Lightweight Championship
John Mitchell (Ireland) vs Jakub Kaszuba (Poland)
Bantamweight Championship
Frans Mlambo (Ireland) vs Khurshed Kakhorov (Germany)
Women’s Flyweight Championship
Dakota Ditcheva (England) vs Valentina Scatizzi (Italy)
Light Heavyweight Championship
Simeon Powell (England) vs Jakob Nedoh (Slovenia)
What is PFL Europe?
PFL Europe is the PFL’s first international league and showcases the very best MMA athletes across Europe, which began in Newcastle on March 25.
The league features 32 of Europe’s top fighters from 14 countries competing across four weight divisions.
After four events, four PFL Europe Champions will be crowned, with each Champion taking home $100,000.
Champions also have a chance to earn a spot on the PFL Global Roster and the $1 million global season prize.
