Filipino fighter Eric Kelly is unfazed by the thought of fighting a Mixed Martial Arts legend in American Jens Pulver.
He’s faced tougher challenges in life, Kelly said, and Pulver, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight titlist, is just another hurdle he needs to overcome as he chases his dream to becoming a world champion.
The Kelly-Pulver featherweight clash has been billed as one of the most anticipated fights of The ONE FC Pride of a Nation fight card tomorrow at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Now based in Malaysia, the Baguio City-born fighter’s reputation in the MMA community has been growing following a string of impressive victories, including two sensational wins in The ONE FC events.
The 30-year-old father of three said his tough experiences in life have prepared him for more difficult challenges inside the octagon.
Before moving to Malaysia, Kelly juggled different jobs just to sustain his fighting career, working as a taxi driver in Manila as well as doing stunt jobs for movies and television.
“I found it hard to work and train at the same time when I was still based here (in Manila),” said Kelly, who now works as an instructor at Muayfit in Kuala Lumpur.
Unbeaten in seven fights, Kelly, a wushu bronze medalist in the 2003 Southeast Asian games in Vietnam, will be facing his most high-profile opponent yet.
“He’s going to be tough,” said Kelly, who admitted being surprised at getting pitted against a legend like Pulver. “This is a great opportunity. He’s popular but I’m a Filipino and being a warrior runs in my blood.”