Robbie ‘TNT’ Kennedy 2-2-0 is an English professional Mixed Martial Artist currently competing in the Light-heavyweight division, representing AVT Leeds. He has competed for Caged Steel, Almighty Fighting Championship and is due to make his debut for Supreme Cage Fighting Championship on Saturday, May 21st.
I’d like to start this off by thanking you for taking the time to speak to me today Robbie and also to congratulate you on your upcoming title opportunity and inclusion on the Supreme Cage Fighting Championship 17 card.
I hope training has been going well in the build-up to your highly anticipated return to the cage?
“Yeah, training’s been going well, I’ve been resting a few injuries, I’m not gonna lie. I got injured in my last fight camp and managed to obviously fight through it. Not a lot of people knew, there were only a few training partners and coaches and teammates that did. I did tell the promoter that I was injured but I’m not one to pull out of a fight, I don’t like pulling out from fights. I don’t like pulling out in general, that’s why I have 3 kids lol. But Yeah it was a good scrap, I definitely enjoyed it. But training has been going really well, my last session was Wednesday.”
The last we saw you in action was back at Almighty Fighting Championship 23, a victory not many the UK fight fans will soon forget. A walk-off kick was heard across all four corners of the Metrodome on February 19th over Rhino Daley.
Now the proverbial dust has settled and you’ve had time to reflect on that phenomenal victory, what did you take from that collision with Rhino?
“Yeah, I just wanted to win. I’m not gonna lie, I wanna win a belt, I ain’t won a belt in 5 years since I first started doing MMA, I’m very eager to get a belt. The collision with Rhino I expected fireworks, expected him to come to try and knock me out, try to wrestle me if he couldn’t knock me out. I’m expecting a firework fight again.”
It’s been 3 months since that fateful day, for the readers, could you give an insight into what you’ve been up to since?
“I’ve had a grappling bout at Empire, I’ve just been training, teaching, my daddy duties. Just been grinding MMA.”
With your ever-growing fan base looking for your next outing on a regular basis, they got a huge announcement with your late stand-in on the main event for SCFC17 with MMA Legend Andy Manzolo at the O2 Academy Bournemouth.
When receiving the call to take on such a highly decorated Mixed Martial Artist, was this an offer you couldn’t refuse?
“I’m hoping to put myself on the map. I’ve been in Kickboxing for quite some time. I started about 10/11 years ago and have been competing since 2012 in Kickboxing alone up until 2018 when I had my MMA debut. I’m just trying to build up a good squad around me, I got a good team at AVT. I’ve watched Andy, I’ve even watched him on Bellator and didn’t realise. Watching Bellator as you do see the name and it was him, I remember his hairdo. I remember him having the tied up dreadlocks look. I asked for him, I asked to fight him, they threw 2 fighters at me and I just said look I want him with a good record. I wanna fight him.”
As your meeting is fast approaching, and this being a last-minute stand-in have you taken some time to study Andy at all?
“I have studied him, I watched a few of his fights. I know he’s coming off of 2 wins or something like that. I think his last one was about 2 or 3 months ago, I was watching that fight. like I said he’s got to have my level of striking, I’m looking at people now and if they haven’t got my level of striking they’re gonna struggle it’s as simple as that. He comes from a Thai-Boxing or Kickboxing background as well, he said he wanted to keep it standing on his Instagram which I applauded. If he does wanna keep it standing we’ll see who falls first, someone’s getting knocked out.”
Without giving too much away what steps have you been taking to make sure you walk out of Bournemouth with your hand raised and another W on your record?
“I’ve just been working on everything, I wanna make sure that I do everything I possibly can to be ready. My strength and conditioning coach, the progress we’re making together. All the wrestling, Ju-jitsu, Grappling, MMA and striking at AVT it’s just all working well for me. Done a bit of Cross-training, ventured over to Manchester Top Team, and a little bit of scramble every now and then Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Every now and then I will mix my training, just training hard like I said. I get my abs checker photos every day, if you ain’t got an abs checker photo did you even train lol. Doing everything in my power to be fight ready.”
Many exceptional bouts are now set in stone for a night of pure unadulterated organised violence for Supreme Cage Fighting Championship’s 17th card to date. Other than your inclusion on the night are there any matchups in particular that you’re looking forward to witnessing?
“I’ve not looked, I know it sounds bad but, I’ve not looked at any of the other fights. I’ve seen some names on the card being put up. I know there’s a gangster, the Prince of Wales, who’s funny. I like him, he spoke to me on Facebook. I believe he fought Andy as well, I’d be interested in seeing how his fight goes. Other than that I’ve not looked at all. I’m not gonna lie and be disrespectful or arrogant. I’ve just been focused on this last-minute fight, working on things on myself with my coaches, to be fully prepared for it.”
I wish you all the best for your bout and look forward to witnessing you out there.
“Appreciated.”
Last but not least do you have a message for the fans that will be in attendance and anybody you’d like to give a shout-out to?
“Just wanna shout-out to all my affiliations Eryxgear, Headstrong, MMA Reloaded, Hardlife Fightwear, and XS Guard. Everyone that’s supported me over the years, AVT, Scramble, Underhook and Predators MMA where it all started.”
Images by Jamie Lee Smith
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