8 MMA Fighters You Didn't Realise Are Still Competing

When Paul Kelly emerged in the UFC in 2008, fans were excited to see one of the most exciting prospects out of the UK since Michael Bisping won the third season of The Ultimate Fighter.

Kelly demonstrated his all-action style in his Octagon debut in a bout against fellow countryman Paul Taylor, with the pair instantly engaging in a wild exchange in the middle of the cage. Kelly would ultimately prevail, earning a unanimous decision victory.

Honestly, if you've never seen that fight do yourself a favour and go watch it now.

Kelly's career in the UFC would continue in the years that followed, with the Liverpudlian compiling a 5-4 record before being released in 2011 despite earning Fight of the Night honours in his final bout against Donald Cerrone.

Kelly continued fighting in regional promotions in the years after his UFC stint, but his MMA career would be brought to an abrupt end in 2013 when he was sentenced to 13 years in prison for heroin trafficking.

Kelly has since stated that his time in prison has helped him gain an education and prepare for life on the outside. Kelly, training partner of UFC middleweight contender Darren Till, was released from prison last year and has since announced that he will return to MMA for the first time in seven years on the Probellum MMA card in Liverpool next month.