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| Sunoto, left, wants Sunoto-Kelly 2 to happen very soon. One Championship (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--Sunoto wants Edward Kelly next.
The Indonesian MMA standout wants to bounce back from his loss to the Filipino fighter last year in front of the latter's home country crowd in Pasay.
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“I want a rematch with Edward Kelly. My fight against him is my only loss in 2016. I would like to redeem myself by facing him again,” Sunoto said.
The 31-year-old Indon appeared to be heading to a victory over the Pinoy pug when the former took the game to the ground in the first two rounds, but the latter connected on a huge body kick in the final period that eventually led to the knockout.
“I was close to finishing Edward Kelly. I believe that I was winning on the judges’ scorecards as well. It was an unfortunate ending for me,” Sunoto lamented.
Sunoto, however, has to first hurdle Cambodian striker Chan Heng at One: Quest for Power on Saturday, and this time, Sunoto has the crowd with him as he will fight in his home country's capital, Jakarta.
For his preparations, Sunoto said, “Basically, I went back to the gym after the Edward Kelly fight. I didn’t take any time off. For this fight, I am leaving everything, including my coaching job to focus on preparing myself for the fight. I really want to win this fight.”
Despite fighting Heng next, it seems Sunoto has locked in his sights on the probable rematch with Kelly.
“I have all the respect in the world for Edward. He's a good man and a good fighter, but I believe that I have a big shot at winning if there will be a rematch in the future,” he concluded.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
The 31-year-old Indon appeared to be heading to a victory over the Pinoy pug when the former took the game to the ground in the first two rounds, but the latter connected on a huge body kick in the final period that eventually led to the knockout.
“I was close to finishing Edward Kelly. I believe that I was winning on the judges’ scorecards as well. It was an unfortunate ending for me,” Sunoto lamented.
Sunoto, however, has to first hurdle Cambodian striker Chan Heng at One: Quest for Power on Saturday, and this time, Sunoto has the crowd with him as he will fight in his home country's capital, Jakarta.
For his preparations, Sunoto said, “Basically, I went back to the gym after the Edward Kelly fight. I didn’t take any time off. For this fight, I am leaving everything, including my coaching job to focus on preparing myself for the fight. I really want to win this fight.”
Despite fighting Heng next, it seems Sunoto has locked in his sights on the probable rematch with Kelly.
“I have all the respect in the world for Edward. He's a good man and a good fighter, but I believe that I have a big shot at winning if there will be a rematch in the future,” he concluded.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
