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Draws returning Tom Breese in Liverpool
Kelly will take on Tom Breese in a middleweight matchup at UFC Liverpool on May 27.
ANALYSIS
Kelly was one of MMA's surprise stories in 2017, as the 40-year-old parlayed a three-fight winning streak into matchups against solid competition in Rashad Evans, Derek Brunson and Elias Theodorou (the latter two he lost). He'll now bring the now-famous "dad bod" to the Octagon against Breese, a fighter that is 14 years younger but coming off ACL surgery. How a fighter looks following a major rehab stint link that is always a question mark, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Kelly enter as the betting underdog -- a role he's embraced over the past few years.
Kelly was one of MMA's surprise stories in 2017, as the 40-year-old parlayed a three-fight winning streak into matchups against solid competition in Rashad Evans, Derek Brunson and Elias Theodorou (the latter two he lost). He'll now bring the now-famous "dad bod" to the Octagon against Breese, a fighter that is 14 years younger but coming off ACL surgery. How a fighter looks following a major rehab stint link that is always a question mark, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Kelly enter as the betting underdog -- a role he's embraced over the past few years.
Loses unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night
Kelly was defeated by Elias Theodorou via unanimous decision (28-30, 27-30, 26-30) at UFC Fight Night 121 on Saturday in Australia.
ANALYSIS
Kelly put up a good fight, but he was unable to track down the younger Theodorou. Kelly needed to get in close to use his Olympic judo credentials, but was unable to secure good clinches against "The Spartan." Every time Kelly got in close to clinch, Theodorou was able to disengage and get back to his striking. The Australian almost secured a rear-naked choke in the third round when he was behind on the scorecards, but was unable to finish the submission. Kelly put forth good effort in this fight, but he was simply too slow to keep up with the younger, more athletic Theodorou.
Kelly put up a good fight, but he was unable to track down the younger Theodorou. Kelly needed to get in close to use his Olympic judo credentials, but was unable to secure good clinches against "The Spartan." Every time Kelly got in close to clinch, Theodorou was able to disengage and get back to his striking. The Australian almost secured a rear-naked choke in the third round when he was behind on the scorecards, but was unable to finish the submission. Kelly put forth good effort in this fight, but he was simply too slow to keep up with the younger, more athletic Theodorou.
Lasts just 76 seconds in Saturday's loss to Derek Brunson
Kelly lost to Derek Brunson via KO (punch) at 1:16 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night 110 on Saturday in Auckland, New Zealand.
ANALYSIS
The clock has officially struck midnight on Kelly's Cinderella story. Facing a world-class athlete with insane power was pretty much a worse-case scenario for Kelly, who relies on slowing a fight down in order to be successful. If it is any consolation for the Aussie, he certainly isn't the first guy who has been starched by a Brunson left hand. Kelly is now 6-2 in the UFC.
The clock has officially struck midnight on Kelly's Cinderella story. Facing a world-class athlete with insane power was pretty much a worse-case scenario for Kelly, who relies on slowing a fight down in order to be successful. If it is any consolation for the Aussie, he certainly isn't the first guy who has been starched by a Brunson left hand. Kelly is now 6-2 in the UFC.
Defeats Rashad Evans via split decision at UFC 209
Kelly defeated Rashad Evans via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC 209 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
The 39-year-old Kelly is now 6-1 in the UFC. Despite continually being the underdog in terms of the Vegas odds makers, Kelly figures out a way to win. His striking continues to improve, which is a good thing since he failed on all eight of his takedown attempts on Saturday. Kelly excels at body positioning and he did a terrific job of keeping Evans off balance even when Suga appeared to have the advantage. On the feet, Kelly probably ate a few more shots than he would have liked, although he landed with regularity as well. One would think that the roof is going to cave in on Kelly in the near future, but he just defeated a former UFC champion on the main card of a pay-per-view.
The 39-year-old Kelly is now 6-1 in the UFC. Despite continually being the underdog in terms of the Vegas odds makers, Kelly figures out a way to win. His striking continues to improve, which is a good thing since he failed on all eight of his takedown attempts on Saturday. Kelly excels at body positioning and he did a terrific job of keeping Evans off balance even when Suga appeared to have the advantage. On the feet, Kelly probably ate a few more shots than he would have liked, although he landed with regularity as well. One would think that the roof is going to cave in on Kelly in the near future, but he just defeated a former UFC champion on the main card of a pay-per-view.
To fight Evans in UFC 209
Kelly will get his biggest fight to date in a March 4 bout against Rashad Evans at UFC 209, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Kelly has won each of his past three fights, a drastic difference from Evans, who has not won since November 2013 and has battled multiple injuries in the time since. Evans was most recently pulled from UFC 205 and 206 because he did not receive medical clearance from a pre-fight MRI, but that issue seems to be behind him at this point.
Kelly has won each of his past three fights, a drastic difference from Evans, who has not won since November 2013 and has battled multiple injuries in the time since. Evans was most recently pulled from UFC 205 and 206 because he did not receive medical clearance from a pre-fight MRI, but that issue seems to be behind him at this point.