Eric Kelly vows he’s a changed man after bad habits slowed down MMA career

MANILA, Philippines—Eric Kelly has been on a seemingly interminable downward spiral since 2016 as he took one stoppage loss after another.

Kelly hopes to finally put an end to his miseries against Korea’s Kwon Won Il as he aims to show a new and improved version of himself in ONE: Roots of Honor Friday night at Mall of Asia Arena.

READ: Tired of losing, Eric Kelly determined to stop 5-fight skid 

“I really trained hard for this fight. A new Eric Kelly will show up this coming Friday,” he said in Filipino during the Roots of Honor press conference Tuesday at City of Dreams.

Eric Kelly thankful for the opportunity to fight again in Manila despite losing his previous five fights. pic.twitter.com/NdNbCiN2aT

— Mark Giongco (@MarkGiongcoINQ) April 9, 2019

Feeling reinvigorated, the 36-year-old Kelly bared he got into trouble and into bad habits and vices that diminished his once-promising MMA career.

“I lost focus and I got into vices. That’s when I started fighting without training. I really lost focus on my career,” Kelly said.

READ: Eric Kelly falls to Brazilian foe in ONE Manila undercard

What changed for Kelly was the change of scenery when he moved to Dubai and leave his troubled past behind in the Philippines.

“I trained in Dubai. I fixed myself. I lost focus here in the Philippines that’s why I lost five straight times. At least now I’m in a different environment and I’m focused on my training.”