Daniel Kelly Doesn’t Think Rashad Evans Has to Retire Following UFC 209 Loss

Daniel Kelly spoke with MMAjunkie about his win over Rashad Evans at UFC 209. You can read some excerpts below:

On whether Evans should retire: “No, no – he doesn’t need to be done yet. 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.”

On what’s next for him: “My aim when I got signed (by the UFC) was to have 10 fights. 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.”

On who he expects to face next: “Anyone outside of [Michael Bisping, Yoel Romero, Luke Rockhold, Ronaldo Souza, Chris Weidman and Robert Whittaker] – with a full training camp – I’m more than a match for,” he said.