JEFFERSON TWP — Steve Mowry will soon be heading south. His mixed martial arts career is headed upward.

“He's accomplished so much in a very short time,” workout partner and trainer Ryan Covert said of the Knoch graduate.

Mowry, 23, is 7-0 as an amateur MMA fighter. His two bouts in 2015 earned him titles and the award as Bluegrass MMA Amateur Fighter of the Year.

Mowry beat out 11 other contenders for that award, which is decided upon by an open vote over the Internet.

“That was a big honor for me,” he said. “That covers every amateur fighter in the eastern part of the country.”

Only Mowry won't be an amateur much longer.

He helped train Matt Mitrione — a member of the Blackzilians professional MMA fighting team — for Mitrione's recent fight against Travis Browne, who stands 6-foot-7.

The Blackzilians train at the JACO Hybrid Training Center in Delray Beach, Fla. Mowry, who is 6-9, 235 pounds, is heading there next week for another training period.

He plans to relocate there in April.

“Guys preparing for fights against much taller opponents bring Steve in to work out with,” Covert said. “That's what's been happening. And they've become impressed by him. The Blackzilians want him in their stable. His career could take off down there.”

Mowry spent time in Texas last year helping prep Jared Rosholt for a bout against Stefan Struve, who is seven feet tall. Rosholt wound up beating Struve on the under-card of the Rhonda Rousey-Holly Holm fight.

“I'm looking forward to joining the Blackzilians,” Mowry said. “That group has some of the best MMA fighters in the world. Tyrone Sprong, pound-for-pound, is the best kick-boxer on the planet and he's with them.”

So, too, is Eddie Alvarez, who recently upset former UFC champion Anthony Pettis.

Mowry's two fights in 2015 were a third-round victory over JD Ramsey for the EFP heavyweight title in New Philadelphia, Ohio, and a second-round TKO of Chris Arajuo for the Gladiators of the Cage heavyweight title in Butler.

Mowry is hoping to make his pro MMA debut sometime in March in the Butler area, before he moves to Florida.

“There are still things I need to do,” he said. “Find the opponent, get my management team figured out ... But it's getting close.

“I'm still getting better. I still have a lot to learn.”

Covert said most successful pro MMA fighters are in the 32-year-old range.

“Steve is way ahead of the game that way,” he said. “With the training and expertise he'll receive from the Blackzilians, combined with his physical size, strength and work ethic, he could become unstoppable.”

Mowry will settle for steady improvement.

“I've been working hard at this and now I'm going to be working with absolutely top-level fighters on a daily basis,” he said. “My goal is to never stop learning, never stop improving.

“Wherever this takes me, it takes me.”