Entering ONE: Roots of Honor, Edward Kelly knew he needed to win his bout against dangerous Korean Lee Sung Jong.
But come the event itself, a win was no longer just an option – it was a necessity.
Just moments before he stepped into the cage on Friday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Edward saw his brother Eric suffer his sixth straight stoppage loss. And it was more painful since it came in just 19 seconds, as Kwon Won Il made quick work of the Philippine mixed martial arts pioneer.
“Of course, I’m very sad for what happened to my brother. The loss was unbearable,” the 35-year-old shared.
“Even before I entered the cage, I felt sadness. But I tried not to get affected by it.”
And his willingness to lift the Kelly household showed in his three-round featherweight bout.
Edward put on a show against Lee, escaping numerous leg locks and armbars during the first round. Gaining confidence, he was able to get on top of the Korean early in the second round. He then rained fists and fire, venting all his frustration on a prone Lee, forcing the stoppage.
“Yun ang kailangan ko, manalo.
“Hindi puwede na matalo kaming dalawa. Parang yun ang nagdagdag ng pursigi sa akin – na kailangan kong manalo kahit anong mangyari,” said Kelly, who climbed to 12-6.
But with his brother going down in devastating fashion, Edward looks to talk to Eric to see whether it is still right for him to continue on with this journey.
“Maybe, it’s time to talk to my brother.
“Kung kailangan pa niya ituloy ito, kailangan niya ng fight camp,” Edward opined. “Lagi naman sinasabi ni coach [Mark Sangiao] na open ang Team Lakay sa lahat.”
