25 March 2023 , 20:26
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Lewis McGrillen won his PFL Europe debut in style as the 22-year-old brutally knocked out Salih Kulacan with one-punch in the first round.
As the fight got underway at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle, McGrillen immediately took control in the centre of the cage and hurt Kulucan with the first punch he landed. The Mancunian was landing some good kicks to the body of his opponent before scoring his first knockdown of the fight by way of a hard left hand.
Kulucan managed to avoid the follow-up ground and pound after being dropped, getting back to his feet to land the first takedown of the fight. McGrillen soon found his rhythm again on the feet as Kulucan was fighting with his back against the cage. The 30-year-old was caught by a big left hand and no follow-up punches were needed as McGrillen scored the walk-off knockout.
"My coach always says stay calm and have fun in there," McGrillen said after the fight. "Sinister kill, my anger is a gift and if I use it wisely I can achieve great things, that's what I just did. I knew I'd knock him out, but I've got so much in my arsenal. The straight left was just there. I'm ready for anything, the kid knocked out the man and there is more to come. I'm back in the gym Monday and ready for whoever next."
McGrillen spoke exclusively with Mirror Fighting before his win against Kulacan as he revealed his journey into MMA. Being guided by the likes of PFL champion Brendan Loughnane and UFC star Lerone Murphy on the mats at Manchester Top Team, McGrillen turned his hobby into a career but admitted that his loved ones were too keen on the idea at first.
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"My parents didn't really support it, not many people did," McGrillen added. "My mum used to say 'Get a job' and I was like 'This is my job'. I had so many dramas with my parents, I got kicked out and had nowhere to stay at times. I was staying at my coaches, mates and grandma's house, just trying to chase that dream. I believed in myself before anyone ever did, besides my coach. Now my family see where I'm heading and they are proud of me."
The 22-year-old is setting the bar high for his fighting career, something he feels is necessary to achieve success in the cage. "I want to be the greatest Manchester fighter there's ever been, maybe the greatest British fighter there's ever been, or just the greatest fighter ever," he added. "You've got to think so high like the sky's the limit that even you're like 'That's a bit too much'."