UFC fighter Casey Kenney has been released from his contract after being charged with several serious crimes. The 33-year-old American joined MMA’s premier promotion in 2019 and had eight fights, including high-profile bouts against Dominick Cruz, Merab Dvalishvili, and Nathaniel Wood, in the Octagon.
Kenney hasn’t competed since losing against Song Yadong in August 2021. It appears he’ll never fight for the UFC again after being arrested for a multitude of offenses stemming from an alleged incident of domestic violence.
Phoenix Police officials confirmed to MMA Fighting that Kenney was arrested by Phoenix Police Fugitive Apprehension Detectives on August 16 at 12 p.m. local time.
Kenney was booked on charges including kidnapping, aggravated assault (strangulation), and assault. He has since been released from police custody. Maricopa County court records list kidnapping is a class 2 felony, which could see him imprisoned for anywhere between four and 12.5 years if convicted.
Kenney’s alleged crimes became public knowledge in July when the victim’s mother took to social media to accuse him of domestic violence. According to a police report, an ‘adult female victim with some visible abrasions reporting a domestic violence assault. The female was treated by paramedics and interviewed by investigators. No contact was made with the suspect at that time. This case is still active.
A separate Probable Cause Statement explains in graphic detail the series of events that ultimately led to Kenney being arrested by law enforcement officers and released by the UFC.
It reads: “Between the dates of 7-21-2024 at approximately 11:00 p.m. and 7-22-24 at approximately 12:14 a.m. while at the single-family residence located at [address redacted], [suspect] Casey Kenney committed kidnapping, aggravated assault by strangulation and assault against [victim] Jasmine Mendez by repeatedly striking, slapping, biting, headbutting and choking [victim] Jasmine for several hours resulting in abrasions to Jasmine’s lip and discolouration to Jasmine’s arms and petechiae to Jasmine’s neck.
“Furthermore, during the 13 hours at Casey Kenney’s residence, Jasmine was incapable of escaping the residence due to Casey routinely grabbing hold of Jasmine and holding her in place during her attempts while threatening to cause more physical harm.
“Casey Kenney advised Jasmine Mendez that if anyone shows up, he will shoot them and if her mother shows up, he will shoot her in the head. Jasmine Mendez stated she desires prosecution in this matter at this time.”
A preliminary hearing on the matter is set to take place on August 26.
MMA reporter Damon Martin confirmed Kenney’s UFC release on X. He tweeted: “UFC officials confirmed Casey Kenney has been released from the promotion.”
The UFC is yet to make an official statement on Kenney’s arrest.
