It's all systems go for Team Lakay’s Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly, as he hopes to once again become relevant in the ONE Championship featherweight division.
Kelly marks his return to the Circle against debuting Ahmed “The Prince” Faress at the previously recorded ONE: FULL BLAST this Friday, May 28.
It’s a match that “The Ferocious” needs to win if he wants to start his climb back up the loaded division, especially as he’s coming off an uninspiring decision loss against Tang Kai.
“This is a very big match for me because I’m coming off a decision loss, a very close one. That’s why I regret that loss. I was that close to getting that win,” Kelly said.
“A win here would be huge for me. It would further add to my desire to return among the ranks of the best fighters in the featherweight division —and it starts with Ahmed.”
It will be easier said than done for Kelly.
Faress comes in with a 16-3 record, but his sturdy stats aren’t the most impressive thing about him heading into this clash.
None of his 16 wins reached the final bell, with 13 of those victories coming via submissions. Luckily, Kelly has been working on his ground game since his loss to Tang.
“Our training for Ahmed went well. It had its challenges because I had to prepare for a different opponent at first, and [my opponent] got changed because of the pandemic, but I just focused and continued to train hard,” he said.
“I really worked double-time on my ground game. I know that’s where I’m lacking and that’s what I need to improve on. It also just so happened that Ahmed is a very strong ground fighter, so it all fits.”
In the main event, top-ranked Muay Thai bantamweight contender Saemapetch Fairtex takes on #3-ranked “Left Meteorite” Kulabdam Sor. Jor. Piek Uthai in an explosive ONE Super Series clash.
Watch ONE: FULL BLAST on ONE Sports or ONE Sports+ at 8:30 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT) this Friday, May 28. It will also air simultaneously at the ONE Super App.
TV5 will have an encore presentation at 12 a.m. PHT on Sunday, May 30.