Kelly
Davis.

Born in Natchez, Mississippi, Kelly Davis moved to Reno, Nevada, at age eight and has spent more than three decades in the fight business. A head trainer since 1998, his experience spans professional boxing, MMA and the UFC, kickboxing and bare-knuckle fighting. His work has taken him to training camps and fight events around the world.

Kelly has worked throughout combat sports as a trainer and cornerman, and his experience extends to management, judging, refereeing and cutman duties. He understands what the audience rarely sees: the hours of preparation, the adjustments between rounds, the pressure in the corner, and the split-second decisions that change a fight. That knowledge became the foundation of FANTASY MMADNESS.

Kelly’s boxing journey began at the Boys & Girls Club in Reno, Nevada, and around the University of Nevada boxing program. In 1998, he moved with his brother Kelvin to Las Vegas, learning from experienced trainers while building his own career in the corner.

Kelly opened Koncrete Boxing in Reno in 2003. He later worked with MMA pioneer Ken Shamrock and coached around the Lion’s Den and International Fight League era. He established additional Koncrete training facilities in Arizona, including his own private gym in Scottsdale, before continuing his coaching work in Atlanta.

Along the way he worked with boxers Steve “2 Pound” Forbes and Eric Harding; MMA athletes Jamie Varner, Richard Hale, Phil “The Fresh Prince” Rowe and Jared “Nite Train” Gooden; and kickboxing figures Rick “The Jet” Roufus and Warren Thompson. He also honors the memory of the late Sam Young and Jackson Busto.

Kelly recalls working privately with Muhammad Ali at his Scottsdale gym, helping him stay active with light pad work, movement and balance. He has always been clear: Ali did not need anyone to teach him how to box. Spending that time with him was the privilege.

As a trainer, manager, cornerman and cutman, Kelly experienced championship nights and difficult setbacks across the United States and overseas. He learned that every fighter’s story extends far beyond the final bell.

Flying from Atlanta to Las Vegas for a fighter’s bout, Kelly sat beside a fantasy baseball player studying statistics. Their conversation lasted much of the flight. It inspired a question: why wasn’t there an experience like this for combat sports?

Drawing on decades of experience in the corner, Kelly developed a prediction game built around the action inside each round — not simply who wins. FANTASY MMADNESS invites fans to predict the details, earn points and follow every moment in boxing, MMA, kickboxing, bare knuckle and pro wrestling.

WE DON’T PICK WINNERS. WE PREDICT HISTORY.

Combat-sports fans are fiercely loyal. They stand behind their favorite fighters through victories, defeats and years beyond competition. Kelly wanted to give that loyalty a place to live: a fighter’s own affiliate league, where supporters know whose community they are joining.

Affiliate opportunities can give active and retired athletes another potential source of income, subject to their agreements and qualifying participation. The goal is bigger than the game itself: to create opportunities for the people who gave so much to combat sports.

Kelly has seen the incredible highs of championship nights — and the painful lows of injuries, financial uncertainty and life after the spotlight. Those experiences are why giving back matters most.

“I’ve spent most of my life in the fight game. I’ve seen the highest highs, but I’ve also seen the lows — what happens when the lights go out, the crowds go home and fighters are left dealing with everything they gave to the sport.

“These fighters have loyal fans who ride with them through everything. I want those fans to be able to join their fighter’s league, stand behind their fighter and help create new opportunities.

“I want to give something back to the young fighters, the veterans and the retired fighters. Fighting is brutal. Fighting is beautiful. I hope people can see what I built, and understand why I built it.”

— Kelly Davis, Founder & CEO