Losing just once while earning “Fight of the Night” is apparently still not good enough to remain on the UFC’s lightweight roster, as British fighter Paul Kelly (11-4) has been released by the promotion following his UFC 126 loss to Donald Cerrone.
The news comes via UK correspondent Gareth Davies, often seen commentating on ESPN’s ‘MMA Live’ program, as he posted a note about Kelly’s release via Twitter (@GarethBOXUFC). Noting that his release was due to the UFC’s bulging lightweight roster of about 60 fighters as they try and cut down to approx. 30, and not anything to do with what some have labeled a “sucker punch” in his fight with Cerrone.
Kelly is already fielding offers from other mixed martial arts promotions from the US, Canada, and Europe according to Fighters Only. One of those promotions interested in Kelly is the Maximum Fighting Championship based in Canada, who have increased their own lightweight divisions roster with recent signings, and will feature a title defense at their next event by champion Antonio McKee in under two weeks.
Kelly has fought nine times under the UFC banner and has put together a 5-4 record trading wins for losses since dropping to lightweight with the promotion at UFC 99. He was submitted by Cerrone at UFC 126 earlier this month, a fight that earned both men the “Fight of the Night” bonus, the second of his career. Before that Kelly earned a TKO victory over TJ O’Brien at UFC 123 and lost a unanimous decision to Jacob Volkmann at UFC on Versus 2.