I'LL BE BACK VOWS PAUL KELLY AFTER UFC CUT

Paul Kelly insists that being cut from the UFC is merely a speed bump in his Mixed Martial Arts career, telling Mersey Gloves, "You can't keep a good man down!"
 The Kaobon lightweight star, always value for money inside the Octagon, was one of a number of popular fighters cut by the sport's elite organisation this week following a massive internal cull.
 After the merger of the UFC with it's sister promotion the WEC the fighter rosta was totally top heavy and 'The Scouse Assassin' has paid the biggest price of all for his inconsistent form inside the Octagon.
 British fight fans have hit the messageboards in their thousands to complain about the decision, reaffirming Kelly's position as one of the UK's most popular fighters.
 But the 26-year-olf, whose MMA slate now reads 11-4, jumped to the defence of the UFC top brass.
 "It's not Dana [White] or Joe Silva's fault. Joe has 60 in a divisions that can only accomodate 28 so expect a few more drastic cuts over the next year!
 "It just wasn't my time and that's all, when it is I will make a run for that title."

Fans favourite Paul Kelly has been cut by the UFC

 Kelly's loss to former WEC star Donald Cerrone on February 5th it appears was his last chance to save his current UFC career, yet many insiders thought he had done enough to safeguard his future by sharing the Fight of the Night bonus in Las Vegas [$75,000 dollars each]. But it was not to be.
 Kelly adds: "It's a tough on to take, I won't lie. But I'll be okay.
 "You can't keep a good man down . . . and I am already in talks with a few shows!"
 Kelly's axeing will undoubtedly sends shivers up the spines of the rest of the Merseyside MMA elite.
 Team-mate Paul Taylor surely saved his own skin by defeating Gabe Ruediger on the Mandalay Bay undercard, ending a poor run of five defeats in his last seven outings, and ending the American's own UFC career.
 Wolfslair lightweight Curt Warburton retuns to the Octagon in Australia on February 27th - along with teammates Mike Bisping and Tom Blackwell - but after losing his debut at UFC 120 in London the pressure will also be on him to claim his first UFC victory or face the prospect of possible elimination.
 It seems the world's premier Octagon is currently cleaning house. Fighters beware.

NICK PEET