‘Lone wolf’ Kelly returns to hunt for ONE glory

MANILA, Philippines — Eric Kelly has found himself back in a familiar spot as he takes on Japanese veteran Kotetsu Boku in the undercard of ONE Championship’s “Kings and Conquerors” this August.

Ever the lone wolf, Kelly has prided himself as someone who has trained with various gyms.

“For me, I don’t have a stable gym where I train at full time,” Kelly said. “I train more naturally. Whichever gym I find myself in, that’s where I train.

Although he is aware that he is missing a steady team behind him during training, Kelly intends to stick with the training regimen that he is used to.

“Mostly, I just watch YouTube videos and apply it to my training and then I go to some gyms to test it out. I am in the constant search for more knowledge for my career,” the 35-year-old fighter said.

The Baguio native has been seen diligently grinding it out at various local gyms in his hometown while swinging by Metro Manila to train in the city’s elite fight camps.

Kelly also bared that numerous MMA groups have offered and extended their helping hands as he prepares for his return to the ONE Championship cage, including the famed Mark Sangiao-mentored Team Lakay.

“[H]e personally invited me to join Team Lakay. But we will talk about it. I see it as a great opportunity,” he noted.

Kelly and Sangiao no longer need introductions as they have together represented the Philippines for the national Wushu squad from 2001 through 2004. The latter has been mentoring Kelly’s younger brother Ed.

According to the older Kelly, the only thing that hinders him from donning the Team Lakay’s bright red trunks is that he does not want to be isolated to a particular team.

“I just don’t want to be stuck in one team. As much as possible, I want to explore all styles and forms of fighting. But I am open to all possibilities. Never say never in this sport. Mark and I will talk about it,” he shared.

“I have been doing this for the past eight years. I am still confident as to how I conduct my training. It has given me success in the past," Kelly noted.

"I still believe that it will give me the success in my upcoming fight. It all boils down to discipline,” he closed.

Kelly faces off with Boku in the Aug. 5 card to be mounted at the Cotai Arena in Macau. It will be the Filipino's first fight after a year-long break.