Moore sleeping in gym in Carlos Jr bout build up

Karl Moore returns to action for the first time in over a year when he takes on Antonio Carlos Jr on 1 May

When the cost of PFL light-heavyweight fighter Karl Moore's journeys between his home in west Belfast and the gym he trains at in Dublin started to add up, he came up with a creative solution to solve the problem.

Move into SBG Gym from Monday to Friday whilst he trains in preparation for his upcoming fight against Antonio Carlos Jr in the PFL tournament on 1 May in Florida.

It may be an unglamorous and unorthodox way to prepare for a huge fight, but for Moore, it is a sacrifice he is willing to make.

"It started initially when I was driving up and down and it was costing me a fortune in diesel and food too," he told BBC Sport NI.

"There is a set of bunk beds for international fighters, when they train, they would stay here. I was far too big for the beds, I was sleeping curled up, but John Kavanagh [SBG coach] let me buy my own bed.

"I sleep in the gym Monday to Friday and go home at the weekends. It has its up and downs, you are sharing a room with other fellas and sometimes it's not the cleanest room, but it's a means to an end."

'I know I can fly at him for three rounds'

Moore has won 12 of his 15 fights, but lost in his most recent bout against Corey Anderson

The means to an end Moore refers to is getting himself in the best shape possible for his first fight since March 2024, when he fell short in his bid to become Ireland's first Bellator champion after he was beaten by Corey Anderson.

The 33-year-old said that the fight, which took place in Belfast, was "bittersweet" but that he learnt a lot from it.

"I don't make any excuses about that last fight, I wasn't prepared at all, I had some setbacks in the camp and went into the fight compromised," he admitted.

"The fact I went five rounds with a guy like Corey Anderson and didn't have any trouble that gives me serious confidence going forward that with a full camp and being fully fit and sharp, I'll be a nightmare for my opponent."

Moore is competing in the PFL's new single elimination format that includes a first round, semi-finals and finals, a format which he likens to the World Cup in football.

He is up against Brazilian and former PFL light-heavyweight champion Carlos Jr, who spent seven years in the UFC.

Despite his opponent's experience of fighting at a higher level, Moore believes he is more than capable of knocking out Carlos Jr.

"He's very experienced, he won this tournament a few years ago and he's a very good fighter," Moore added.

"What I expect is once I hit him a few times he will try to take me down and submit me, but that won't happen.

"This fight is a three rounder, and I know I can fly at him for three rounds. I'm going in to finish him or get finished trying, there is no messing about."