Gold Coast flyweight Chelsea Hackett has secured a second-round submission victory over her opponent Ky Bennett in Hackett’s PFL debut in Texas.
For Hackett, this bout came after a three year absence from mixed martial arts competition, after a losing appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020.
Hackett is a Muay Thai champion, winning multiple gold medals at the IFMA World Muay Thai Championships, as well as multiple titles, including the WBC world lightweight championship.
Her PFL debut granted her the opportunity to showcase her grappling skills, pairing her striking with cage wrestling in the first round, securing two takedowns. Hackett landed a strong counter right hand in the second round which wobbled Bennett, before taking the American down and securing the submission.
In the cage after her victory, Hackett spoke about her wrestling approach in the fight.
‘When you have been put on the side lines for almost three years…I just spent so many hours and time in the gym. Working on all my weaknesses, my wrestling, my jiu jitsu and I really wanted to make a statement and I think that’s the best statement I could have made.’ Hackett said.
Hackett was originally set to make her PFL debut earlier in the year, however visa issues prevented her from making it to the United States. Conscious of her time away from the cage, Hackett is looking for her next match up sooner rather than later.
‘I’ve had three years off so sh*t, put me in next week.’
Backstage after her fight, Hackett said the first word that came to her mind after the victory was ‘relief’.
‘It’s been almost three years since I’ve had my last fight. Big relief that I got in there. The cobwebs are out now. I just wanna get the ball rolling and fighting consistently.’ She said.
In her time away from the sport, Hackett encountered some difficulty staying motivated and driven in her training.
‘It was a really hard time to stay motivated and stay driven to what I know I can do and achieve, but I’m just so happy I did, because I’m now here.’ Said Hackett.
Her PFL debut was billed as a showcase fight and is not considered towards the current PFL 2023 season. Looking to the 2024 season, Hackett is set on participating in the flyweight tournament and working her way to a PFL championship next year.
‘I really want to get into the season and next year that’s my biggest goal and I think the way I just won that fight is a really good way to show that I belong in the 2024 division.’
This win raises Hackett’s professional MMA record to 4-1-1.
