Edward Kelly (© ONE Championship)

Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly, 35, is currently quarantined in Bataan, Philippines while the world is battling against the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Mountain Province native is one of the Igorot mixed martial artists who are within the famed Team Lakay stable in La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines.

”The Igorots are physically strong because we are very hard workers and that helps make our immune system strong, as well,” Kelly shared. “Having a strong immune system is very important nowadays so that we don’t get sick with the virus.”

Kelly believes that because of the Igorot people’s way of life, they have grown to become naturally healthy and strong. He said, “We’ve managed to stay strong throughout this period because I believe that the Igorot people are naturally healthy people.”

This quarantine period has allowed Kelly to spend more time with his in-laws and help around their house, as well. He said, “I’m staying with my parents-in-law so I’ve been busy with improving their house by fixing stuff and doing some landscaping.”

“I’m still training once a day and I like to think of my work here as part of my training,” the Team Lakay representative continued. “For example, I simulate lifting weights by carrying soil and transferring them into a pit.”

As an MMA fighter, Kelly has been competing professionally since 2007. He has been signed with Singapore-based martial arts organization ONE Championship since 2013.

Founded by Mark “The Machine” Sangiao, 41, Team Lakay is home to some of the top athletes in ONE Championship. Among Kelly’s teammates are Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang, 27, Southeast Asian Games 2019 gold medalist Gina “Conviction” Iniong Gina “Conviction” Iniong, 30, ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix finalist Danny “The King” Kingad, 24, former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario, 30, former ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon, 32, former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio, 31, former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang, 36, and reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio, 24.