Umuwi mang talo ulit si Eric “The Natural” Kelly ay mayroon naman siyang dalawang bagay na natagpuan.

Ito ay ang kanyang warrior spirit at grit.

Natalo si Kelly sa kanyang ikapitong laban sa isang unanimous decision laban kay Niu Kang Kang noong Sabado, Hunyo 15 sa ONE: LEGENDARY QUEST sa Baoshan Arena, Shanghai, China.

“After looking back, I do feel a bit rejuvenated, and I feel like I can continuously take on the challenges I have here in the sport and in my personal life,” sabi ni Kelly.

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Sobrang masakit para kay Kelly ang pagkakatalo umabot sa pag-iisip niyang huminto na sa paglaban.

“I have seven straight losses. I have never been so dismayed at myself as a mixed martial artist, and right now, I admit that I am thinking about retirement,” pag-amin niya.

Mas nadagdagan pa ang bigat ng loob ni Kelly nang ibinahagi niyang na-injure pa siya bago lumipad patungong China.

“Three days before we traveled to Shanghai, I suffered an accidental headbutt on my left eye. [Niu] hit it with a jab and it quickly opened, and it really affected my stand-up game,” dagdag niya.

“But I didn’t stop even when we were on the ground. I kept on punching, hoping to score some points, but it wasn’t meant to be.”

Maganda pa rin ang ipinakitang laban ni Kelly at makikita ito sa suportang natanggap niya mula sa kanyang mga tagahanga.

Darating din sa retirement si Kelly pero sa ngayon ay nangako siyang hindi aalis sa The Home Of Martial Arts na hangga’t hindi siya nananalo.

“To all my fans who are always there, thank you,” sabi niya. “Without your words, I would have given up. I just want to get a win, and maybe then I can consider retirement.”