Edward Kelly targets momentum-shifting win over Ahmed Faress

Team Lakay’s Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly plans to make a statement in his return to the ONE Championship Circle.

Kelly looks to score a statement win against debuting Ahmed “The Prince” Faress at the previously -recorded ONE: Full Blast this Friday.

Coming off a decision loss to Tang Kai, Kelly knows that he cannot afford another disheartening setback against the Egyptian. Moreover, “The Ferocious” believes that he still has a lot to offer the sport, and it starts with Faress.

“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.”

Against Faress, Kelly takes on a man with a 16-3 record, with all of his wins coming from finishes.

Thirteen of those victories came from submissions. And while this sounds like another challenging match-up for the Bataan-based power puncher, Kelly believes he will be prepared wherever this match goes.

“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.”

Kelly knows that he needs to keep this match standing to have a better chance of winning. Still, he wants the victory so badly that he doesn’t care where this match goes.

“My main advantage has to be Team Lakay’s bread and butter in striking,” Kelly said.

“Though, I don’t really care how I win. I just want to win, whether it be knockout, decision, or submission. I just want to win my match.”