Kelly is a retired Marine who started training Judo in Okinawa, Japan while stationed there as a young Marine in the early 1990's. He continued to train Judo, to include competing for the now defunct, Marine Corps Base Quantico Judo Team, until the demise of the Marine Judo program. Although he no longer regularly practices Judo outside of BJJ training, Kelly holds a Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in Judo, recognized by the USJA and USJI.

In 2002, Kelly was introduced to Leo Dalla Black Belt, and his first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor, Professor Chad LeBrun of the LAB Martial Arts Academy in Fredericksburg, VA and owner of the elite training company 3 Range Combatives. Under Professor LeBrun's guidance and teaching, Kelly earned his blue belt in 2003.

From 2004 to 2008, Kelly trained in Honolulu and Kaneohe, Hawaii under Professor Relson Gracie and Relson's Black Belt instructor, Ronn Shiraki, as well as with Relson's then Brown Belt instructor, Mark Kurano. In 2007 Kelly earned his purple belt from Professor Shiraki & Relson Gracie.

In 2008, Kelly returned to the Northern Virginia area and resumed his training with Master Leo Dalla. Kelly was awarded his black belt in 2012 and is currently a 3rd degree blackbelt under Master Dalla.

In May 2010 Master Dalla helped (then a new brown belt) Kelly open a new BIG BROTHERS academy in Stafford, VA. If you live in the Stafford / Garrisonville / Quantico, VA area, Master Dalla and Professor Kelly invite you to come discover the rewarding lifestyle offered at KOA Team.