Dan Kelly Taking Time Off From UFC to Coach in the Olympics

Australia’s Dan Kelly rebounded from his first career MMA loss to Sam Alvey in May 2015 by putting together back-to-back wins inside the Octagon.

While the 38-year-old has had a successful MMA career, he’ll always be best known for his accomplishments in judo. The Melbourne native has competed in four Summer Olympic Games (2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012).

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Despite riding a two-fight winning streak, Kelly will put his fighting career on temporary hold to continue his Olympic aspirations, this time as a coach.

“I probably won’t fight until later in the year. I’ve got some commitments. I still coach high-level judo. There’s a potential that I’ll be in Rio coaching the Australian Judo Olympic Team,” he said following his TKO win over Antonio Carlos Junior at UFC Fight Night 85 on March 20.

The UFC supports Kelly’s efforts and gave him the green light to pursue the opportunity to coach in the Olympic Games.

“I probably won’t fight until the end of the year. I talked to Joe Silva (UFC matchmaker) about it, and he said, ‘go on and do that.’”

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