Three times South African title winner Brendan Kelly, “The Dragon”, has fought the fight and earned each of his titles with blood, sweat and tears.
He recently fought for the Jnr SA Millenium Champion title U65kg and won by unanimous decision.
Sensei Joe Ralejoe says he went the distance in eight one-minute rounds to become a triple Jnr SA Millenium Champion.
Kelly will now, however, be relinquishing all of these hard-earned titles when turns 18 years old this month. He will enter the ring as a senior fighter in future bouts.
“This is truly the end of an era. As the club, we wish him nothing but strength, focus, and continued success as he enters this exciting new chapter”
– Sensei Joe Ralejoe, Ring Contact Fighting Arts (RCFA) Bhubezi Fight Club in Welkom
“This is truly the end of an era. As the club, we wish him nothing but strength, focus, and continued success as he enters this exciting new chapter,” says Ralejoe.
Kelly says he started his martial arts career in 2017, and in 2018 he moved over to ju-jitsu. He received his SD Honours colours in September 2019 at the World championships at the age of 12.
Kelly started kickboxing in August 2023 and did his fist competition in March 2024 with Sensei Joe Joe Ralejoe, Ring Contact Fighting Arts (RCFA) Bhubezi Fight Club in Welkom.
“He pushes me to my limits, and I thrive on this. In my eight years of doing martial arts, I have learned control, respect, patience, commitment, leadership and teamwork. Martial arts has helped me tremendously with my ADHD, and I would recommend this sport to anyone who has this,” says Kelly.
For the next chapter in his life, he wants to take all of the South African and international belts.
“One for one. Then I will work even harder and take the world title. This is all going to take hard work, one fight at a time. I am looking forward to this chapter in my life.”
