Daniel Kelly

Daniel Thomas Kelly (born 31 October 1977) is an Australian former judoka and mixed martial artist. Known for his unconventional style, the four-time judo Olympian formerly competed in the middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) between 2014 and 2018.

Background and judo career Kelly began competing in judo when he was 7 and competed at his first Australian Championships when he was 13. He made the junior national team in 1994 where he competed at the Junior World Championships and went on to make the senior national team two years later.

He was the Judo coach for the Australian team at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Japan Olympics.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Kelly made his professional MMA debut in July 2006. He remained out of competition for the next six and a half years due to judo commitments.

Australian Fighting Championship and local MMA Kelly returned to the sport in December 2012. Over the next eight months, he improved his record to 5 wins with no losses. Kelly again returned to action in the Australian Fighting Championship (AFC) in May 2014, at AFC 9, defeating Ben Kelleher via second round submission. Kelly was twice slated to fight Steven Kennedy for the vacant AFC middleweight belt in 2013 at AFC 7 and 2014 at AFC 10, but was forced to withdraw due to The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia commitments in 2013 and due to injury in 2014.

The Ultimate Fighter In December 2013, it was announced that Kelly was selected as one of the fighters to represent Australia for the upcoming The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia. Kelly was defeated by eventual middleweight runner-up Sheldon Westcott via first round submission.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

2014 Kelly made his UFC debut against Luke Zachrich on 8 November 2014 at UFC Fight Night 55. Kelly was victorious, winning by submission due to a kimura.

In his second bout for the promotion, Kelly faced Patrick Walsh on 14 February 2015 at UFC Fight Night 60. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

2015 Kelly faced Sam Alvey on 10 May 2015 at UFC Fight Night 65. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Kelly was expected to face Ricardo Abreu on 15 November 2015 at UFC 193. However, Abreu pulled out of the fight in late September and was replaced by Steve Montgomery. Kelly won the fight by unanimous decision.

2016 Kelly faced Antônio Carlos Júnior on 20 March 2016 at UFC Fight Night 85. Kelly won the bout via TKO in the third round.

Kelly next faced Chris Camozzi on 27 November 2016 at UFC Fight Night 101. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

2017 Kelly faced Rashad Evans on 4 March 2017 at UFC 209. He won the back-and-forth fight by split decision.

Kelly faced Derek Brunson on 11 June 2017 at UFC Fight Night 110. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Kelly faced Elias Theodorou on 19 November 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

2018 Kelly faced Tom Breese on 27 May 2018 at UFC Fight Night 130. He lost the fight via technical knock out in round one. Kelly became a free agent after the fight.

Championships and accomplishments Judo Olympic Games

Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC.com Awards 2017: Ranked #3 Upset of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Tom Breese TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Till

Liverpool, England Loss

Elias Theodorou Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura

Sydney, Australia Loss

Derek Brunson KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt

Auckland, New Zealand Win

Rashad Evans Decision (split) UFC 209

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Chris Camozzi Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Brunson

Melbourne, Australia Win

Antônio Carlos Júnior TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Mir

Brisbane, Australia Win

Steve Montgomery Decision (unanimous) UFC 193

Melbourne, Australia Loss

Sam Alvey TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt

Adelaide, Australia Win

Patrick Walsh Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Luke Zachrich Submission (kimura) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Bisping

Sydney, Australia Win

|Ben Kelleher Submission (rear-naked choke) Australian FC 9

Albury, Australia Win

Bor Bratovž KO (punch) Australian FC 6

Melbourne, Australia Win

Daniel Way Submission (armbar) Shamrock Events: Night of Mayhem 7

Melbourne, Australia Win

Chris Birch Submission (rear-naked choke) Australian FC 5

Melbourne, Australia Win

Kym Robinson Submission (rear-naked choke) MMA Downunder 3

Findon, Australia Win

Fabio Galeb Decision (unanimous) Australian FC 4

Melbourne, Australia Win

Ross Dallow TKO (thrown from the ring) Dojo KO: Second Elimination

Melbourne, Australia Mixed martial arts exhibition record Loss

Sheldon Westcott Submission (arm-triangle choke) The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia (airdate)

Quebec City, Quebec, Canada