All you need is that one shot. That one shot, that one golden opportunity is what every fighter strives for.
Eric Kelly wanted that one shot ever since he made his return to ONE Championship after an 18-month hiatus. Kelly, a “Natural” mixed martial arts but a nomad by all accounts, needed a win to return to the title picture.
However, his opponent only needed one punch, that one shot.
Kelly, 34, suffered the worst defeat of his career Saturday evening at the Hefei Olympic Sports Center in China as former ONE Featherweight Champion Narantungalag “Tungaa” Jadambaa knocked out the Filipino legend in just 44 seconds.
Despite Kelly’s willingness to exchange strikes, Jadambaa showcased his monstrous knockout power with an explosive right hand and a thunderous follow-up shot that prompted the referee to call off the fight in less than a minute.
Since making his return, Kelly has been just 1-2 in his last three fights, 12-3 overall.
After this stunning loss, the Baguio-native may need that one shot to remember and another to forget and regroup.
