UFC fighter Hector Lombard fails drug test 0:29
Aussie UFC fighter Hector Lombard has tested positive to peformance enhancing drugs
- Fox Sports
- 11 Feb 2015
- Sport/More Sports
Dan Kelly will take on American Patrick Walsh in Colorado for his UFC debut. Source: News Limited
DAN Kelly knows what’s at stake when he makes his UFC debut on foreign soil this weekend.
Not only is his unbeaten record at risk, but his future in the fight game will also be determined in three rounds against American Patrick Walsh.
“This is an important fight. It can set me up for the rest of the year,” Kelly said from his Resilience Training Centre gym in Footscray.
“Rumour has it the UFC will do two shows in Australia this year, and if I win this next fight, it gives me a good case to be fighting on the next two cards, which would be awesome.”
Kelly has landed in Bloomfield, Colorado for UFC Fight Night on Sunday, his maiden bout outside Australia.
He has settled into life at the renowned Elevation gym, the training base of Brandon Thatch, who will fight Benson Henderson in the five-round main event.
Dan Kelly is training at the renowned Elevation gym, the base of Brandon Thatch. Source: News Limited
Kelly is also hoping to work with fellow Elevation members Cat Zingano, one of the best pound-for-pound female fighters in the world, and American welterweight Neil Magny in preparation.
He travelled with head coach Andrew Colgrave, training partner and striking coach Brett Franklin and grappling coach Gustavo Falciroli and was “on schedule” with his weight cut, easing down from his customary 90kg to the required 84.5kg.
“The last two days aren’t pleasant when you’re making weight but you’re fine once the fight comes around,” Kelly said.
“It’s a normal routine, it doesn’t matter where you do it. You could be doing it in Antarctica and you have to do it the same way. I just have to suck it up.”
As for acclimatising to the high altitude of western American, the four-time Judo Olympian is well versed.
“Luckily I’ve competed about an hour from where I’m fighting in judo,” Kelly said.
Dan Kelly (L) with a host of other star Australian UFC fighters at Bondi Beach. Source: News Corp Australia
“It was 15 years ago, but I’ve got a good routine and it should be OK.
“It’s not pleasant. You just can’t breath. You run up the stairs and you feel like s---.
“All you have to do is train through it and your body adapts. Your body can adapt to anything, it’s just a matter of getting that slap in the face out of the way and you’re good to go.”
Kelly believes an intense fight camp, which culminated in a host of gruelling sessions with rising UFC stars Jake Matthews, Richard Walsh and Brendan O’Reilly, would hold him in good stead.
“We brought in all our training partners, so it was heavy. It was bloody hard,” Kelly said.
“The intensity and skill level is there and they are going to capitalise on any mistake.
“You always have to be switched on, which is mentally draining as well as physically draining.
“In a perfect world there would’ve been more south paws because I’m fighting a south paw, but it’s just getting the rounds in, ensuring your fundamentals are tight and the making sure you come out on top in the grappling.”
Dan Kelly works the heavy bag with some low kicks. Source: News Limited
Walsh, who hails from Boston, has a 5-2 professional record in MMA and enters the bout on the back of a unanimous decision win over Daniel Spohn at the TUF 19 Finale in July last year.
“He’s a good wrestler and he’s really tough, too,” Kelly said.
“In the TUF house in the semi-final, he took an absolute beating and he just kept coming, so it’s going to be a tough fight.
“I’m under no illusions about that. I’m hoping my judo will negate his wrestling and we’ll have a good fight, something the fans will like too, hopefully.”
Kelly revealed he has studied the tapes — watching Walsh’s three performances in the TUF 19 house as well as his UFC debut — and has formulated a plan.
“I want to impose my game on him,” Kelly said.
“I know what he does and I want to be aware of it and I want to know how to deal with it, but I want to impose my game on him, so he has to worry about me as well.”
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