Daniel Kelly Doesn’t Want Rashad Evans To Retire

Australian born fighter Daniel Kelly picked up the biggest win of his MMA career at UFC 209 when he defeated former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans.

Evans hasn’t earned a victory in over three years and Kelly doesn’t believe the struggling fighter needs to leave the sport just yet.

“No, no – he doesn’t need to be done yet,” said Kelly after UFC 209. “It was his first cut down to 185. He’s still fit and strong. If I can get through the first two or three minutes against anyone, I think I’ve proven that it’s going to be a nightmare matchup (for my opponent). Because Rashad is so explosive and such a great athlete, it’s going to be hard for him. I got very tired fighting him. I was so tired, and so was he. If he wants to keep going, he should. I don’t think it’s the end for him.”

Kelly has earned a total of six wins in seven fights with the UFC. A career goal for Kelly was to fight ten times in the UFC and now he’s extremely close to achieving it

“My aim when I got signed (by the UFC) was to have 10 fights,” he said. “I’m 6-1 (in the UFC) now, so I’ll get the 10 fights no problem. And as long as the body holds up, which it is despite all the tape you see (on a surgically repaired knee), then I’ll keep going. I’m 40 at the end of the year, but we’re going OK. We’re really smart with our training and our preparation. So, for as long as the body holds together and I’m fighting well, then I’ll keep fighting.”

The Aussie even admitted in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan that he has spent his entire UFC tenure competing with a bum knee.