• UFC 112

Kelly warns Veach he's 'crazy' if he thinks he'll win

Paul Kelly never fights a boring fight © UFC

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Paul Kelly has labelled Matt Veach "crazy" if he thinks he is going to win their bout at UFC 112, insisting: "I just know I'm going to knock him out, I can feel it."

Liverpudlian lightweight Kelly needs a victory after suffering the first TKO loss of his career against Dennis Siver, which came as a result of a spinning back kick from the German that damaged an already-existing injury around Kelly's ribs. On April 10 the Team Kaobon fighter will bid to avenge that defeat against Veach, who is coming off the first loss of his career to Frankie Edgar.

Edgar, who fights for BJ Penn's lightweight title on the same card, inflicted a submission defeat on Veach, which shows the kind of high-class company Kelly will be keeping in Abu Dhabi. Veach (11-1) has a previous UFC victory over Matt Grice and boasts a solid wrestling base, but Kelly is adamant the fight is only ending one way.

"If he thinks he's coming in for an easy fight he's crazy," Kelly told Espn.co.uk. "I'm gonna make him work in that first round, and then in either the second or third I'm gonna put him away. I know I am, I can feel it, I just know I'm going to knock him out.

"I'm not saying the guy's chinny, but he's been dropped by guys who aren't known for being bangers. Frankie Edgar's only a little dude, he's not known for being a big hitter, but if he's dropping him I should put Veach away.

"Since I've come down to lightweight, I've lost my explosive power. But I'm training conditioning in Manchester three times a week now and I'll be back to my explosive best in Abu Dhabi. It's one thing taking me down but it's a whole other thing trying to stay on top of me. And if I get on top of him, Lord help him.

"Colin Heron at Team Kaobon is an awesome coach and he is drilling new things with me all the time. All his Thai lads are world champions, so that's the standard I'm training with. I just know I'm going to knock Veach out."

Lightweight contender Kenny Florian claimed on Thursday that the 155lb division is the most stacked category in the UFC, so it would not be advisable for Kelly to concede two consecutive losses by succumbing to Veach. The crowd-pleasing scrapper holds no fears over his future though, insisting he will never be involved in a dull fight.

"I don't think I'm under any threat of losing my job. I'm one of those fighters who fights my heart out, I always promise to leave my heart in there, win or lose. The UFC love that.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm 100 percent winning this fight, but Joe Silva is always happy with me at the end of the fight win or lose."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.