ABOUT THIS EPISODE
What does it take to compete at a world-class level into your fifties, hold the most No-Gi World medals in USA Wrestling history, and coach athletes who go on to the UFC, WWE, and military special forces?
Michael Kelly current wrestler, No-Gi grappling legend, and one of the most decorated athletes in the sport joins us for a conversation about training, longevity, and the stories behind a legendary career.
Michael Kelly holds the most No-Gi World medals in USA Wrestling history and currently holds three Midlands wrestling tournament records. He's the Russian Uni-fight No-Gi World Champion, a 6x Masters Gi and No-Gi World Champion, and a high school and college All-American. He has been on over 12 World Teams and grappled in Russia, Hungary, Turkey, Japan, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, Greece, Poland, Italy, Belarus, Serbia, and Azerbaijan. He's also been on 7 USA teams that have won the world team title in No-Gi and Gi grappling. He is the only wrestler to compete at the Midlands in 4 different decades, with 16 straight years and 17 total appearances.
As a coach, Michael Kelly has trained athletes who went on to win wrestling worlds, the UFC, WWE, and military special forces. He coached UFC legend Clay Guida in college, current UFC ranked heavyweight Curtis Blaydes when he won a national wrestling championship at Harper College, and current WWE wrestler Angelo Dawkins. He also coached Zach Hummel, now a scout sniper in the Marine Corps, and Koy Hopke to a U17 world freestyle championship making him the only high school coach in Wisconsin history to coach a World Champion in wrestling.
In this episode, Michael Kelly shares how he trains to wrestle overseas without jet lag problems, how he got into No-Gi grappling, and how he's been able to stay successful for so many years. He also discusses what it was like grappling the legendary Jeff Monson in Switzerland, which tournaments he was just plain lucky in, who he trained the hardest with, his favorite victory, and how he got into wrestling. Plus, he shares stories from his travels—especially his trip to Mytishchi, Russia for the Uni-fight World Championships—and how his thought processes on training and life have evolved.
If you're a wrestler, grappler, coach, or simply someone who loves stories of longevity, discipline, and world-class achievement, this conversation with Michael Kelly will inspire you to push your limits and learn from a true legend.
In this episode, we explore:
· How Michael trains to wrestle overseas without jet lag problems
· How he got into No-Gi grappling
· How he's been able to be a successful wrestler and grappler for so many years
· What it was like grappling the legendary Jeff Monson in Switzerland
· Tournaments where he was just plain lucky
· Who he trained the hardest with
· His favorite victory
· How he got into wrestling
· Why he started No-Gi grappling
· Famous wrestlers he defeated at the Midlands wrestling tournament
· The start of his legendary grappling career
· Coaching monsters in wrestling, the UFC, WWE, and the armed forces
· The journey of winning the most world grappling medals in USA Wrestling history
· Insane training with a grappling legend
· The life and times of a grappling legend
Connect with Michael Kelly:
· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.kelly.1466
· Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellygrappling/
