Could this be Vale of Glamorgan's fist UFC champion?

Evan Kennedy began karate at just six-years-old, before moving into Jiu Jitsu and kickboxing. Now Evan is testing his skills against some of the country’s best in the cage, having already beaten a British champion and opened major Swansea event Adrenaline.

Shy boy who grew into a champion

Evan was described by his father as a shy boy who struggled with mental health issues, but the discipline of martial arts helped him open up, and now he is on the cusp of doing something great.

Evan has had to take a lot on in a short space of time as well as dealing with a particularly difficult period when he struggled to cope after some members of his family died.

It was with the help of trainer Mike Morgan, from Sully, and Rob Taylor’s Jiu Jitsu club, on Penarth Road, which Evan described as amazing, that got him through.

Evan has already had some major wins, including at Adrenaline in Swansea (Image: Supplied)

Kickboxing and Jiu Jitsu took him out of difficult times

Evan has achieved a lot in his short career, including earning black belt in one of karate’s hardest forms; Kyokushin – which is full contact.

One of Evan’s turning points was when he beat a British champion in kickboxing at an interclub in Newport six months ago.

Then, last month, Evan opened Adrenaline fight night in Swansea, winning his fight.

He has won British BKK titles as well as nine Welsh titles, but despite all this Evan, who attends Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg in Barry, remains grounded saying coach Morgan and Rob Taylor’s Jiu Jitsu changed his life.

“I started Jiu Jitsu and they were amazing to me at Rob Taylor’s and I fell in love with it,” said Evan.

“Then I was going through a difficult time because some of my family members had died and that was when Mike introduced me to kickboxing and I fell in love with that too.”

The BJJ coaches who support Evan (centre right): Rob Taylor (centre left), and Curtis Finch and Tom Bale (Image: Supplied)

‘I just love fighting’

While learning to fight might seem intimidating, Evan says the people around him welcome him with open arms.

“I just love fighting,” said Evan.

“Rob Taylor’s club is like a family. They just open their arms and helped me at a really tough time. Mike helped me mentally. These people are my family and they tell me, no arguing, just deal with it.”

‘I’m just in awe of him’

Evan’s mother Kathryn says she is very proud of her son, but can’t watch his fights, while father Neil has compared Evan and Coach Morgan to the famous pairing of boxer Mike Tyson and trainer Cus D'Amato.

Mr Kennedy said he was simply in awe of his son.

“He is my idol,” said Mr Kennedy. “I am in awe of him. Everyone person put in front of him, he stands up to them.”

Evan and coach Mike Morgan of Sully, right, have been compared to Mike Tyson and Cus D'Amato's partnership (Image: Supplied)

What’s next for Evan?

Evan hopes to follow in the footsteps of hero Georges St-Pierre - considered the greatest ever MMA fighter.

Evan's hero, the legendary George St-Pierre (Image: Supplied)

Evan has world championship tournaments in Jiu Jitsu and kickboxing in England in July and August.

From there he hopes to get scouted and sponsorship as well as pro cards to be able to fight on the kickboxing and MMA circuit.