Tony Kelley
Primetime
USA
Finished after missing weight
Kelly lost to Adrian Yanez via TKO (punches) at 3:49 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Austin, Texas.
ANALYSIS
It's been a disastrous past 36 hours for Kelley. He missed weight by a pound and a half on Friday morning, had to forfeit a percentage of his purse to Yanez in order for the fight to proceed, and then suffered a first-round knockout defeat. Kelley's cardio appeared awful, which may or may not have been result of the poor weight cut. As a result, he wisely attempted to engage Yanez in a slugfest in hopes of securing an early stoppage. It wasn't a strategy that had much of a prayer of working, but it was probably Kelley's only path to potential victory. The 35-year-old Louisiana native has been a replacement-level fighter since joining the UFC in August 2020, posting a 2-2 mark with the company. The weight miss here won't help matters. Kelley needs a rebound effort his next time out.
It's been a disastrous past 36 hours for Kelley. He missed weight by a pound and a half on Friday morning, had to forfeit a percentage of his purse to Yanez in order for the fight to proceed, and then suffered a first-round knockout defeat. Kelley's cardio appeared awful, which may or may not have been result of the poor weight cut. As a result, he wisely attempted to engage Yanez in a slugfest in hopes of securing an early stoppage. It wasn't a strategy that had much of a prayer of working, but it was probably Kelley's only path to potential victory. The 35-year-old Louisiana native has been a replacement-level fighter since joining the UFC in August 2020, posting a 2-2 mark with the company. The weight miss here won't help matters. Kelley needs a rebound effort his next time out.
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Will fight Yanez on June 18
Kelley (shoulder) will face off against Adrian Yanez (hand) at the UFC event taking place in Austin, Texas on June 18, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Kelley sustained a left shoulder injury during his second-round TKO victory over Randy Costa in December, but he appears to have satisfied his medical suspension and should be fully healthy in time for his matchup with Yanez in June. The 35-year-old will look to pick up a third consecutive UFC win after defeating Costa in December and Ali Al Qaisi back in October of 2020.
Kelley sustained a left shoulder injury during his second-round TKO victory over Randy Costa in December, but he appears to have satisfied his medical suspension and should be fully healthy in time for his matchup with Yanez in June. The 35-year-old will look to pick up a third consecutive UFC win after defeating Costa in December and Ali Al Qaisi back in October of 2020.
Dealing with shoulder injury
Kelley is facing a six-month medical suspension due to a shoulder injury, MMA Junkie reports.
ANALYSIS
Kelley hurt his left shoulder while scoring a second-round TKO victory over Randy Costa on Saturday. He'll be out for at least 30 days and will miss up to 180 days unless cleared by a doctor.
Kelley hurt his left shoulder while scoring a second-round TKO victory over Randy Costa on Saturday. He'll be out for at least 30 days and will miss up to 180 days unless cleared by a doctor.
First KO win since 2013
Kelley defeated Randy Costa via TKO (strikes) at 4:15 of Round 2 at UFC 269 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Kelley was forced to withdraw from a scheduled fight this past July due to an undisclosed injury, but he looked fully healthy on Saturday, pulling the upset in dominant fashion despite entering as +170 underdog. Kelley did an excellent job of limiting Costa's time and space, ultimately landing 129 total strikes compared to just 32 from Costa. Kelley has never been known as a fighter with much stopping power, however. Prior to this bout, his only two knockout victories came in his first two professional bouts back in late-2012 and early-2013. Kelley joined the UFC in August 2020 with little pedigree, but he has now won back-to-back fights and this strong effort should provide him some runway moving forward. Kelley will be 35 years of age in late January.
Kelley was forced to withdraw from a scheduled fight this past July due to an undisclosed injury, but he looked fully healthy on Saturday, pulling the upset in dominant fashion despite entering as +170 underdog. Kelley did an excellent job of limiting Costa's time and space, ultimately landing 129 total strikes compared to just 32 from Costa. Kelley has never been known as a fighter with much stopping power, however. Prior to this bout, his only two knockout victories came in his first two professional bouts back in late-2012 and early-2013. Kelley joined the UFC in August 2020 with little pedigree, but he has now won back-to-back fights and this strong effort should provide him some runway moving forward. Kelley will be 35 years of age in late January.
Slated to return in December
Kelley (undisclosed) will take on Randy Costa at UFC 269 on Dec. 11, Mike Heck of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Kelley was forced to withdraw from a scheduled fight for late July for an undisclosed reason, but he'll return to the Octagon for the first time since October of 2020. The 34-year-old earned his first UFC win during his most recent fight when he defeated Ali Al Qaisi via unanimous decision. Costa will attempt to return to the win column after he lost to Adrian Yanez via TKO (punches) at UFC on ESPN 27 in July. Kelley has a slight advantage in height.
Kelley was forced to withdraw from a scheduled fight for late July for an undisclosed reason, but he'll return to the Octagon for the first time since October of 2020. The 34-year-old earned his first UFC win during his most recent fight when he defeated Ali Al Qaisi via unanimous decision. Costa will attempt to return to the win column after he lost to Adrian Yanez via TKO (punches) at UFC on ESPN 27 in July. Kelley has a slight advantage in height.
Out of fight with injury
Kelley will no longer fight Trevin Jones at the UFC even July 24, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Kelley was forced to withdraw due to an undisclosed injury. Jones will now take on Aaron Phillips at the July 24 event. Kelley last was in the Octagon in October when he defeated Ali Al Qaisi by unanimous decision. Prior to that he lost his promotional debut in August to Kai Kamaka.
Kelley was forced to withdraw due to an undisclosed injury. Jones will now take on Aaron Phillips at the July 24 event. Kelley last was in the Octagon in October when he defeated Ali Al Qaisi by unanimous decision. Prior to that he lost his promotional debut in August to Kai Kamaka.