AFTER almost a year of absence, Eric Kelly wants to remind the world he can still shake things up in the ONE Championship featherweight division.
The 36-year-old will star in the featured prelim contest on Friday, April 12, at the Mall Of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines when he faces rising South Korean superstar Kwon Won Il in the undercard of ONE: Roots of Honor.
“I’m really happy to be back because this is what I really want to do,” Kelly says. “I feel like it is an important match for me because it may have my combat career on the line.”
The Extreme Combat and Top Gym BF representative will now return to featherweight again after accepting this match on less than two weeks’ notice.
Kelly has not had much time to prepare for the 23-year-old, but he has practiced martial arts for almost as many years as Kwon has been alive, so he believes he will have all the tools to capitalize when they compete.
“Honestly, I think I will head over to the match prepared to the best of my abilities, and I should be prepared against whatever kind of fighter he will be when he steps up in the cage,” Kelly said.
Kelly added as a fighter, he understands late replacements happen and he must be prepared for any situation.
“I think my age, having gone through the experiences that I have in life, will be a strong driving force in equipping me with the strength to overcome this latest challenge. Having been a martial artist for almost 20 years, I have a wealth of knowledge in the cage that I can use to my advantage,” Kelly added.
The proud Igorot warrior adds he has made more of an effort to become a student of the game and absorb knowledge to prepare for his comeback.
Kelly, the older brother of Edward of Team Lakay, has spent the past year traveling far and wide to train with top-class athletes – form Rene “The Challenger” Catalan’s Catalan Fighting Systems in the Philippines, to Team Nogueira Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
He added a change in mindset may be the most important stimulus for success in Manila.
“I’m preparing well, doing my usual routines, but I added more focus in training. I feel like I have more focus now as a fighter,” he says.
Despite his long absence from competition, Kelly remains confident in his abilities, and he is fired up to return to the win column on April 12.
“I pride myself with being a natural martial artist, and I think that’s why I stay confident,” he says. “I’m still here. You’ll see an even better Eric Kelly than you’ve seen before when I step back in the cage.”