‘A terrifying character’: 6ft 5ins Conor McGregor’s monster sparring partner destroys opponent on PFL US debut | International Sports News
Eoin Sheridan announced himself to an American audience in the most emphatic way possible, knocking out James Vake with a vicious knee to the jaw at PFL Tampa on Saturday night.The 6ft 5ins Irish welterweight, who has worked as a sparring partner for Conor McGregor, needed just 4:09 of the opening round to finish his New Zealand opponent at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, producing a frightening stoppage that left Vake unconscious on the canvas and Sheridan unbeaten at 6-0 as a professional.The fight was part of a stacked PFL Tampa card headlined by MMA icon Cris Cyborg, but Sheridan’s finish quickly became one of the night’s most talked-about moments.
Sheridan takes control before finding the finish
The size difference between the two fighters was obvious from the opening exchanges, and Sheridan used his 6ft 5ins frame and reach to make life difficult for Vake.The opening minutes were tense, with the action briefly stopped after Vake landed a low blow, but once the fight resumed, Sheridan began putting his physical advantages to work. He attacked Vake’s lead leg before landing a well-timed one-two that stunned the New Zealander just before the one-minute mark.Sheridan sensed an opportunity and began turning up the pressure, pinning Vake against the cage and mixing up his attacks. A knee to the body was followed by a series of heavy right hands, while a high kick narrowly missed its target as Sheridan continued to close in on the finish.Vake attempted to reach for Sheridan’s legs, but that only created the opening the Irishman needed.Sheridan caught him in a Thai clinch against the cage, controlled his opponent’s head and then drove a huge knee directly into Vake’s face.The impact was immediate. Vake’s mouthguard flew out as he was knocked unconscious, and he collapsed heavily to the canvas at 4:09 of the first round.The aftermath was particularly unsettling, with Vake lying motionless and his eyes open as officials rushed to attend to him.PFL commentator Dan Hardy summed up the violence of the finish while watching the replay, saying: “He is a terrifying character in this welterweight division.”
A perfect American debut for the 6ft 5ins Irishman
The victory marked Sheridan’s first professional fight on American soil and took his record to 6-0.‘The Sheriff’ made his professional MMA debut in September 2023 and has developed a reputation as one of the more difficult welterweights to match, having previously described himself as the ‘most avoided welterweight in Europe’.His skill set is not limited to his size and striking either. Sheridan has a background in karate and holds a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, giving him experience across both the striking and grappling sides of MMA.That combination was on display in Tampa, although it was his striking and physicality that ultimately produced the spectacular finish.Sheridan had already arrived in Florida with ambitions of moving towards the top of the PFL’s welterweight division, and he now has a statement victory to strengthen that case.
Sheridan already has championship ambitions
Before stepping into the cage in Tampa, Sheridan had made it clear that he viewed the Vake fight as an important step towards eventually challenging for PFL welterweight gold.He entered the bout ranked No. 10 in the PFL’s welterweight division and believes his next few fights could determine whether he is ready to make that leap.“I’m right up the top now,” Sheridan said before the fight.“My next couple of fights are probably going to be deciders.“Hopefully we’re coming towards the title. That’s what I’m looking for.”He had also spoken positively about the PFL’s forthcoming merger with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, which is expected to be completed by January 2027, and sees the changing landscape as another opportunity to establish himself among the division’s leading fighters.After a knockout like this, Sheridan should have little trouble getting people’s attention.The Irishman came to Tampa for his first fight in the United States and left with an unbeaten record, a spectacular first-round finish and a much stronger case for a place near the top of the PFL welterweight picture.
