Daniel Kelly has told of the mental, physical and personal toll of preparing for the biggest fight of his UFC career.
Kelly cut a relieved and emotional figure after defeating American Steve Montgomery in front of 56,000 fans at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
In the back of his mind was the cut-throat nature of the business, with the outcome deciding his future.
“If I had lost, I was out – there’s no question at all,” Kelly said. “I would’ve been out of the UFC and, to be honest, I’m not going back to local shows.”
Kelly wanted to do it for his family and supporters. The 38-year-old, who runs Reliance Training Centre in Footscray, said many people made sacrifices so he could get into octagon and the best way he could reward them was in victory.
“I’m a full-time athlete but I run a gym … I rely on a lot of people to volunteer their time to help me,” he said.
“I haven’t got a big professional team behind me.”
Kelly is a dedicated family man so it hurts him to have to be single-minded about his preparation in the two months leading up to a big fight.
In UFC, short cuts can be lethal.
“You put your balls on the line every time,” Kelly said.
“I take time away from my family and kids. You concentrate so hard, you take it seriously for eight or nine weeks, and everything else falls behind. At the time, you’re selfish – you’re pushing, you don’t really stick your head up.
“I’m doing this for my family, to set up a better life for my family, but at the same time they sacrifice a lot for two months.”
Kelly’s win has lengthened his UFC career.
He will get at least two more fights to take his total to six but wants to keep fighting for at least another two years.
“I’ve had four fights now,” he said. “I aim for 10 fights in the UFC.”
That will put his total fight count above 40 – and that, he says, will be enough.
