Taekyun Kim makes impact with knockdown and first-round submission victory

With the Irish faithful on his side, Nathan Kelly steps into a PFL tournament for the first time after finding plenty of success in his MMA career already. Having debuted back in 2018, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist was 3-0 in Bellator and was on an 11-fight win streak, with nine of those victories coming via a finish. The SBG Ireland product’s streak was snapped in his last fight, however, losing to Akhmed Magomedov at the Road to Dubai event in January.

Taekyun Kim has already found success in regional promotions, and he now enters the PFL World Tournament as his first big break in the sport. Kim enters tonight 10-1 with six finishes to his name. Kim’s last fight came 15 months ago, scoring a first-round TKO over Carls John de Thomas.

Who will be the first man to move on in the featherweight portion of PFL competition?

Round 1

The two circle around the center of the SmartCage. A high kick attempt from Kim gets partially blocked. The action quickly moves to the fence, with Kelly managing to get the upper hand and pressing Kim. Kelly looking for a takedown via his body lock, but Kim keeps himself up and prevents it. Kelly landing a couple of stomps to Kim’s feet. Kim tries to make progress in reversing the position. He nearly does so before a knee to the midsection by Kelly keeps him steady. Kim manages to pummel through and reverse briefly before Kelly presses Kim right back into the fence.

Taekyun Kim DROPS Kelly here in the 1st round!!#PFLWorldTournament
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— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 4, 2025

Kim finally circles his way out, but Kelly lands some dirty boxing on the separation. Kim flashes the jabs. A one-two and Kim drops Kelly! Kim scrambles on top as he gets around Kelly’s legs. Kim gets to Kelly’s back and looks for a rear-naked choke. He cannot get it but gets into back mount. Some ground-and-pound from Kim before a short choke attempt. Kelly is notably cut around one of his eyes. Kim trying to snake an arm around the chin of Kelly. Kim sinks in a choke with seconds left in the first round and Kelly goes out!

ITS OVER!! Taekyun Kim gets the submission in the first round and moves on to the Semifinals!!!#PFLWorldTournament
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— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 4, 2025

Taekyun Kim with a statement finish and victory! He’s the first man to move on to the 2025 PFL World Tournament semifinals!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Taekyun Kim def. Nathan Kelly via first-round submission (rear-naked choke, 4:53)