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Joe Kelly

@thejgk

2.9K

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1072

following

“I have survived too many storms to be bothered by raindrops!”

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Humbled. Grateful. 🙏
Nominated for Commentator of the Year in the World MMA Awards.
If you wish to vote: WorldMMAAwards.com 🥊✨
#worldmmaawards #mma #commentator #tv #rizin #thevoice

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It’s a beautiful day for some sparing on the streets of @westport_kc with @torry_501 @rudybearsbrazilianjiujitsu 👊 @visualsbyev getting some content for the documentary. Getting ready for that next fight!

Shout out to my sponsor @stockmanlawfirm! Thank you to all those who support @yep_strength! wake the F up t-shirts come in and drop today. Use the link in bio @yep_strength and check them out. Use code ❄️ winterscoming ❄️ and get free shipping 💪✅

See @yep_strength this weekend @npc_mid_american_winterclassic Normal Illinois 12/2

#bodybuilding #dedication #consistency #culture #vision #goals #community #nevergiveup #relentless #intensity #obsession #limitless #yep #ottsmash #coach #business #mindset #thankful #preworkout #energy #pump #hustle #smallbusiness #supplements #wtfu #cancelquitting #drinkyep #philippians413 #gethuge #mma

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Training has been off the chains! We are looking at the next fight to be in February. I have made the commitment to make light heavyweight at 205.

One of the tools I wanted to talk about is a myzone. I will be using this @luthergloverworkouts to increase my endurance and recovery in between rounds! Thank you @kcmoproprietor for the early Christmas present! If you are interested a myzone or that training reach out to @kcmoproprietor!

Thank you to my sponsor @stockmanlawfirm 💪✅ To try @yep_strength products use the link in bio @yep_strength. Shout out to @rudybearsbrazilianjiujitsu, @luthergloverworkouts, and @flexfitnessgymkc! Those are the primary gyms I’ve been training at!

Come see @yep_strength @npc_mid_american_winterclassic this weekend!

#bodybuilding #dedication #consistency #culture #vision #goals #community #nevergiveup #relentless #intensity #obsession #limitless #yep #ottsmash #coach #business #mindset #myzone #preworkout #energy #pump #hustle #smallbusiness #supplements #wtfu #cancelquitting #drinkyep #philippians413 #gethuge #mma

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We call it the caveman 🪩 @torry_501 💪✅

🥋Check out @rudybearsbrazilianjiujitsu
💪 Supplement @yep_strength
🥊 Support our fighters on the upcoming fights @fac_mma
👉 In a car accident support my sponsor @stockmanlawfirm
🙏 Rash guard @holyrollerfightwear

#bodybuilding #dedication #consistency #culture #vision #dance #community #nevergiveup #relentless #intensity #obsession #limitless #yep #ottsmash #fighting #business #mindset #thankful #preworkout #energy #pump #hustle #smallbusiness #supplements #wtfu #cancelquitting #drinkyep #philippians413 #gethuge #wtfu #mma

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After over a decade MMA came back. If you know my life, the fight makes total sense. I got kicked straight in the 🥜, landed a solid right, shot in for the takedown, got hit the with a bunch of illegal elbow, and won by DQ. There is always a twist, but the experience was amazing.

Last Monday @_rude2urmom asked if I wanted to take a fight. The plan was Feb 2024, but I was in shape. I train 3 times a day most days. I made a call to my friend @thejgk. I really respect his opinion. The idea of stepping in that cage was surreal. The energy it creates inside me is hard to contain.

I took the fight! Of course we got a different opponent, but at that point I was getting in the freaking cage @shamrock_fc! It turned into the main event.

That week I recorded my first rap song with @negativitymk, Cancel Quitting. I had been working on it for nearly 1 year. If I was going to fight, I was going to walk out to it. Everything came together! Check it out link in bio @ottsmash 👊

Talk about support. I have to thank everyone that came out on short notice. Everyone in that building. Next time I promise to give you a more exciting finish.

Thank you to @rudybearsbrazilianjiujitsu and @luthergloverworkouts, you are like an extended family to me! Without you this doesn’t happen.

Thank you to @visualsbyev and @theonlydustybottoms. They are working on a documentary called cancel quitting.

None of this would have happened with out @mirandalynn._. I met her over a year ago in @elev8tionfitness Miami. AKA the sweetest Christian white girl from Wisconsin. She has no idea how much she’s impacted my life. She helped me put God in the center of my life. That opened back up this path. I told her Hillsong was in KC. That turned out to be @kingdomcitykc. After hearing @kyledavidturner for the first I knew it’s where I belonged. That’s the glue.

I can’t forget @jg.kc. At that first @kansascityfashion show fighting came back into the picture, I got me more connected with KC, and also learned to rap.

I have to thank my newest sponsor @stockmanlawfirm for helping take this to the next level.

Most of all I have to thank Jesus. Without Him none of this is possible.

Next 💪✅ #gethuge

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Cancel quitting @yep_strength dropping @shamrock_fc on 10/14! Here is a taste 💪✅ Come see me walk out to it in the main event! #gethuge

Engineer by @negativitymk
Produced by @visualsbyev
Written by @ottsmash
Inspired by @jg.kc

#bodybuilding #dedication #consistency #culture #vision #goals #community #nevergiveup #relentless #intensity #obsession #limitless #yep #ottsmash #coach #business #mindset #thankful #preworkout #energy #pump #hustle #smallbusiness #supplements #wtfu #cancelquitting #drinkyep #philippians413

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The fight is set! It’s this the Saturday at Ameristar Casino in Kansas City Missouri. Things just came together perfect for this one and I had to pull the trigger! I’m so excited and I want to invite everyone to come!

It’s almost just like a path opened up and I’ve followed it, putting in a lot of hard work! If you’d like to purchase a ticket please send messages, as that is on of the ways we get compensated.

Special shout out to @rudybearsbrazilianjiujitsu and @luthergloverworkouts for having me in fight shape. A special thank you to @mirandalynn._ and @kingdomcitykc. When I started putting God first in my life it changed for the best. This is an exciting way to start the new chapter! Also shout out to @visualsbyev and @theonlydustybottoms for helping me put together a rap song and documentary as we take this thing to the next level #wtfu #drinkyep #gethuge @yep_strength

Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

#believeinyourself #nevergiveup #cancelquitting #philippians413

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Last bathroom selfie @powerandlightapartments. I’m really happy I moved back to KC. My life continues to evolve. Currently I’m at 230. Once I get down to 215 I’ll be able to make 205 and then we will lock down a fight.

I completely cut weight lifting out. Not an easy thing to do for me, but it was necessary for this goal. Im happy with my physique. I’m training 2-3 times per day. Strength and conditioning twice a week. I’ve been on 250 test (TRT) for 5 weeks. Last week I came completely off. I’m looking forward to the future 💪✅ #gethuge

This is the final part of the rap I started working on nearly a year ago. Inspired by @jg.kc 👊 @kansascityfashion 💪✅ I plan on having it done before my first fight and walking out to it.

Left battle
Move to Seattle
Took over the Northwest
But couldn’t rest

Started bodybuilding
still had the feeling
chapter never ended
just suspended

Flex took me back to KC @flexfitnessgymkc
Let myself free
Found God @kingdomcitykc
Joined the caveman squad @rudybearsbrazilianjiujitsu

Thank Luther Glover @luthergloverworkouts
He saw it in his brother
Pulled it out
There was no doubt

Yep!

❇️ @brickyard_fitness bodybuilding seminar 10/07
❇️ NPC Nebraska state championships 10/14
❇️ UPA Missouri state championships 10/21 @theamericanpanda
❇️ @npc_ifbb_midwest posing seminar @flexfitnessgymkc
❇️ @npc_ifbb_midwest NPC Battle of Champions 11/11 Des Moines, Iowa
❇️ @veterans_day_strongman_comp Veterans Day strong man challenge Lee’s Summit, MO 11/18
❇️ @npc_mid_american_winterclassic Normal Illinois 12/2
❇️ power lifting meet fort smith Christmas fundraiser 12/16

#bodybuilding #dedication #consistency #culture #vision #goals #community #nevergiveup #relentless #intensity #obsession #limitless #yep #ottsmash #coach #business #mindset #thankful #preworkout #energy #pump #hustle #smallbusiness #supplements #wtfu #philipians413 #cancelquitting #drinkyep

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Life chapter 4 (life full circle)

In 2008 I was a sophomore in college. I was on an 11 fight win streak. I made the choice to walk away from my wrestling scholarship and go pro.

I had my last fight in 2011 and didn’t go back to the gym. I saw another life, fully committed to @gnclivewell, got married, and moved to Seattle. I traveled all over the country and touched thousand of people. It built me up to be the person I am today. No regrets.

In October of 2016 I sat there looking in the mirror crying. I wanted more from life. I called my friend @ryanjelinek and told him I was going to start bodybuilding. He laughed and told me to gain 30 pounds and call him back. I gained 30 pounds and called him back.

In 2018 I started @yep_strength as an online coaching company. I did 11 shows and won 4 overalls. I got divorced. In 2021 I moved back to Kansas City, put in resignation at my job and went all in on @yep_strength . I sponsored hundreds of bodybuilding showed and travels to gyms all over the US building @yep_strength.

I got in a bad car accident August of 2022. After over 8 hours of MRIs they wanted to do 2 surgeries and a procedure on my neck. It was supposed to end everything. I didn’t let it. I started this spiritual journey thanks to @mirandalynn._, @kyledavidturner, @kingdomcitykc . Last Sunday I got baptized again.

At the end of October 2022 I got invited to the @kansascityfashion and saw my friend @jmarquezmma. That’s where the fighting bug hit. @betterthanmycleft invited me to lift at his power lifting meet in December. I pulled 705 with a torn pec. Then I placed 3rd @arnold_classic_amateur in March 2023.

A social media fight nearly resulted in a fight in Japan. My friend @luthergloverworkouts invited me to his gym for a workout. I showed up and my friend @lc_davis was there. It’s like walking into a practice over a decade later. Next thing you know I’m in a meeting talking about a fight.

That lead to @rudybearsbrazilianjiujitsu. I was planning just going to go in to wrestle and roll. I ended up doing a full jujitsu match.

That night I was standing back in front of the mirror again balling like a little baby. I knew where I belonged.

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Why I am going to fight?

I started asking questions and leaning. It took life full circle. It came out screaming. Staring in the mirror, is this the hurdle?

That morning I went to church and had been praying. The pastor read Roman’s 12. The words started weighing. Questions were answered and I took the gloves off the shelf.

Don’t copy the behaviors and customs of this world. Instead let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Move with the swivels. Move with his grace.

Just as our bodies have many parts, each part has a special function. Use your gift.

#mma #fighting #bodybuilding #romans12 #life #fullcircle #believeinyourself #nevergiveup #drinkyep #GetHUGE!

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A ripple in time, when things collide. Some things are just meant to happen. #wtfu #drinkyep #gethuge #romans12 @rudybearsbrazilianjiujitsu

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These guys, it’s like time travel. I’m in Arkansas right now sittings in a parking lot. I should be focused on my company, finances, and bodybuilding, but all I can think about is how am I going to bring this all together and make it happen. By next year I’m going to step back in that cage and fight.

@luthergloverworkouts knew exactly what he was doing. He was just trying to figure out how to flip that switch back in the other direction. How to bring it back out of me. I saw my buddy @jmarquezmma @kansascityfashion and he put the bug in my ear. Luther has been poking me with a cattle prod ever since.

I walk into the room at 5 am and freaking @lc_davis comes waking out. I don’t even know what I’m doing there. I haven’t see this dude in over 10 years. Then we start the workout. I don’t do this kind of cardio. John just stop. I kind of like this. Yeah, I really like this. Man, I got to do this again 10X harder.

Then the question was, what do we got to do to get you to fight? That sent my head spinning. Why am I so excited about this? I start dreaming again. I just can’t stop fantasizing about a fight. Things keep lining up, pushing me in that direction. The screams got so loud I just couldn’t drowned it out.

I prayed and talked to a few people about it. Sunday I went to church. I feel like even God wants me to fight. What’s the bigger picture.

I end up at @rudybearsbrazilianjiujitsu that Sunday. There is a story painted on the wall and I know it. My wrestling teammate from high school is there. I’m meant to be at this place.

By the end of the session I’m laying on the side of the mat, in a gi, covered in vomit. I’m just so happy and hungry. I got to do this again. We are going to have to find a fight.

I mean people always said I looked like a caveman. It just makes sense.

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