UFC 254: Casey Kenney wants respect for the little guys as he enters the fray again
- American bantamweight comes into Saturday’s Fight Island event fresh from brutal victory over ‘The Mongolian Knight’
- ‘I have a whole bag of tricks I haven’t shown everybody,‘ says Kenney before clash with Nathaniel Wood
American bantamweight Casey Kenney has been among the breakout fighters for the UFC in 2020, showcasing what he brings to the party in particular with an utter devastation of China’s Heili Alateng back on October 4.
The MMA world watched on with a mixture of shock, horror and then admiration as Heili (14-8-1) wore a total of 57 direct shots to the head – from fists and from feet – over three rounds and Kenney (15-2-1) carved him up, from head to toe.
It had the cage-side commentary team gasping, and then saluting both fighters – one for the obvious promise he showed in victory, and one for the obvious courage shown in defeat.
For Kenney it was a statement win, both to the UFC and to the world.
“It’s about time us little guys got some respect,” Kenney told SCMP MMA. “This is a tough division and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m trying to beat the game on ‘expert’, I’m not trying to beat the game on ‘easy’.
