I wanted Paul to win but didn't believe he could due to his limitations on the ground. Donald showed real class in being gracious about Pauls approach to begining the fight. The pre-emptive punch tactic didn't work and it didn't change the overall strategy of engagement between these fighters. But it might have.
I have an interest in Donald as a fighter after this showing and will follow his progress.
At least he did it during the actual fight and not after like Daley. Donald was cool with the apology it the so end thats all that matters. It was a good fight too, Kelly may have lost but the UFC will always keep guys that are willing to throw down that don't loose 3 in a row..
I think the whole situation was handled well and it was an honorable thing for Kelly to come up and apologize to Cerrone in the manner in which he did; you could tell it was heartfelt and legitimate. And DC was very gracious in (both) his acceptance and defense of PK; hats off to him; no pun intended.
Of Paul Kelly - I'd have to say of all the British fighters to make it over he and Ross Pearson are my favorites and the ones that show the most promise. Kelly took a loss from a great fighter and he gave a good showing of himself. I'm sure he will learn, evolve and come back the better fighter for it. And as to the punch, if DC doesn't have a problem with it I don't see why anyone (else) should.
It happened. The fighter did not fake the glove touch but the other guy held up his hand for it only to get KTFO immediately: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E37VoDzQVM0&feature=player_embedded
This other guy faked the glove touch and shot, but he was a lot less successful, getting KTFO by a knee when he shot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifFZs-g8Mw0
Although it is extremely poor sportsmanship, it is perfectly legal to fake the glove touch. That is why you see fighters hold up one hand before a fight to ask if the other fighter wants to touch gloves.
I can't believe Kelly has not seen a UFC fight before this, where glove touches before the round begins are a fairly common ritual of displaying mutual respect between warriors.
It was cool he apologized, but I really don't see how he did not understand.
Kudos to Cerrone for turning the attempted sucker punch into a takedown.
Poor Cerrone, trying to act positive after the fight and not mention the death in his family.
kelly said that he doesnt touch gloves before a fight. not that he hadnt seen it done before. kelly is a gr8 fighter i love to watch him but i think we all knew he didnt have the skills to beat donald. it wasnt his best performance but i think that was due to nervs fighting in the ufc for first time.
This guy knows what fighting is all about, he knew Donald Cerrone was going for the glove touch and sucker punches him as Cerrone has his arm raised??? I don't know what kind of discipline fighters get taught in England but it sure does need an adjustment...
No ^ I don't think Kelly planned to win by catching Cerrone off guard, he was just expecting to go straight off the bat, a bit of nervous tension that's all. In general they have good sportsmanship in England too. There are always 1 or 2 assholes in any dojo or gym but Tellys is not one of them.
Comments
despite his initial mistake, he seems like a classy dude, gained some big respect for him when he apologized after the fight
I wanted Paul to win but didn't believe he could due to his limitations on the ground. Donald showed real class in being gracious about Pauls approach to begining the fight. The pre-emptive punch tactic didn't work and it didn't change the overall strategy of engagement between these fighters. But it might have.
I have an interest in Donald as a fighter after this showing and will follow his progress.
If a fighter says that he isn't going to touch gloves, expect that he is not going to touch gloves.
At least he did it during the actual fight and not after like Daley. Donald was cool with the apology it the so end thats all that matters. It was a good fight too, Kelly may have lost but the UFC will always keep guys that are willing to throw down that don't loose 3 in a row..
I think the whole situation was handled well and it was an honorable thing for Kelly to come up and apologize to Cerrone in the manner in which he did; you could tell it was heartfelt and legitimate. And DC was very gracious in (both) his acceptance and defense of PK; hats off to him; no pun intended.
Of Paul Kelly - I'd have to say of all the British fighters to make it over he and Ross Pearson are my favorites and the ones that show the most promise. Kelly took a loss from a great fighter and he gave a good showing of himself. I'm sure he will learn, evolve and come back the better fighter for it. And as to the punch, if DC doesn't have a problem with it I don't see why anyone (else) should.
I really hope that nickname sticks
I was pretty surprised to see Donald come out in the second with his hand up to touch gloves. he must have not felt that threatened by Kelly
That's kind of what I thought too. I was waiting for the cheap shot again haha.
It would have been crazy if Kelly knocked him out with it. I think any fighter that does it would be hated forever.
It happened. The fighter did not fake the glove touch but the other guy held up his hand for it only to get KTFO immediately: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E37VoDzQVM0&feature=player_embedded
This other guy faked the glove touch and shot, but he was a lot less successful, getting KTFO by a knee when he shot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifFZs-g8Mw0
Although it is extremely poor sportsmanship, it is perfectly legal to fake the glove touch. That is why you see fighters hold up one hand before a fight to ask if the other fighter wants to touch gloves.
I can't believe Kelly has not seen a UFC fight before this, where glove touches before the round begins are a fairly common ritual of displaying mutual respect between warriors.
It was cool he apologized, but I really don't see how he did not understand.
Kudos to Cerrone for turning the attempted sucker punch into a takedown.
Poor Cerrone, trying to act positive after the fight and not mention the death in his family.
kelly said that he doesnt touch gloves before a fight. not that he hadnt seen it done before. kelly is a gr8 fighter i love to watch him but i think we all knew he didnt have the skills to beat donald. it wasnt his best performance but i think that was due to nervs fighting in the ufc for first time.
This guy knows what fighting is all about, he knew Donald Cerrone was going for the glove touch and sucker punches him as Cerrone has his arm raised??? I don't know what kind of discipline fighters get taught in England but it sure does need an adjustment...
No ^ I don't think Kelly planned to win by catching Cerrone off guard, he was just expecting to go straight off the bat, a bit of nervous tension that's all. In general they have good sportsmanship in England too. There are always 1 or 2 assholes in any dojo or gym but Tellys is not one of them.