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KING OF PRUSSIA — Aaron Kennedy posted another impressive mixed martial arts victory this past weekend before a raucous crowd in Montgomery County.
A former wrestling standout at Honesdale, Kennedy powered his way past Cole Cameron in a much-anticipated bout at the top of the Art of War 41 card.
The event took place Saturday night at Valley Forge Casino in King of Prussia and it marked Kennedy’s fifth consecutive win in the bantamweight division.
More: Former Honesdale wrestling standout Aaron Kennedy is a rising star in mixed martial arts
Also by Kevin Edwards: Lake Ariel's own Matt Leslie continues building his MMA resume
“You never entirely know what to expect in a fight because when the bell rings anything can happen,” Kennedy said. “But I was confident that I could finish the opponent and I did.”
Next on the agenda for Kennedy is a minor surgical procedure on his shoulder. However, he’s confident that he’ll be back in action sometime this summer.
And for the Bloomsburg University grad who holds a degree in philosophy, that will be the just next milepost along an ambitious career path — one watched closely by hundreds of local fans.
“I’m so grateful for everyone who shows up to support me,” Kennedy said. “Every time they buy a ticket to my fight they’re supporting me as I take one step closer to my dream.”
The true realization of that dream will only come when Kennedy signs a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
“The vision has never changed,” he said. “I'm going to fight in the UFC. A couple more finishes like this one and I'll be there.”
Kennedy struggled a bit early on in his professional MMA career, suffering a couple of heartbreaking defeats.
However, the 30-year-old has been dialed in of late, reeling off five straight victories in increasingly dominant fashion.
On Saturday night, Kennedy made Cameron his latest victim, dominating the bout from start to finish. This bantamweight cage match was scheduled for three rounds, but only lasted two.
A highly-regarded opponent, Cameron was fresh off a second round stoppage in his previous bout against Calogero Torretto on March 8.
But, Kennedy had crafted a simple, laser-focused strategy — and he wasted no time in executing it to perfection.
“I intended to showcase my striking and I definitely did that,” he said. “I landed a lot of clean punches.”
Kennedy had Cameron on the defensive throughout the opening round and then closed things out in the second. He used a rear naked choke to force a submission at the 2:16 mark.
It was the fourth consecutive victory via stoppage for Kennedy who now boasts a 5-2 professional record.
“I’m very pleased,” Kennedy said. “The most compelling thing you can do is finish a fight. When you take the judges out of the equation and make your opponent incapable of continuing, it’s the ultimate victory.”
Kennedy has built a big following over the course of his burgeoning MMA career.
Unfortunately for local fans, there was a long wait between Kennedy’s most recent bouts for a variety of reasons.
First, he suffered an injury during his previous victory which required facial surgery. Then, two straight opponents pulled out of scheduled events in December and March.
So, Kennedy’s crew was champing at the bit when he finally strode back into the cage for Art of War 41 Saturday night.
“I’m glad I got to put on a show for them,” Kennedy said. “The environment is always electric. They wait all night to see me fight so when I finally get in the cage they really make their presence known.”
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Honesdale wrestling Aaron Kennedy mixed martial arts Art of War 41
Continue reading...
A former wrestling standout at Honesdale, Kennedy powered his way past Cole Cameron in a much-anticipated bout at the top of the Art of War 41 card.
The event took place Saturday night at Valley Forge Casino in King of Prussia and it marked Kennedy’s fifth consecutive win in the bantamweight division.
More: Former Honesdale wrestling standout Aaron Kennedy is a rising star in mixed martial arts
Also by Kevin Edwards: Lake Ariel's own Matt Leslie continues building his MMA resume
“You never entirely know what to expect in a fight because when the bell rings anything can happen,” Kennedy said. “But I was confident that I could finish the opponent and I did.”
Eyes on the prize
Next on the agenda for Kennedy is a minor surgical procedure on his shoulder. However, he’s confident that he’ll be back in action sometime this summer.
And for the Bloomsburg University grad who holds a degree in philosophy, that will be the just next milepost along an ambitious career path — one watched closely by hundreds of local fans.
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“I’m so grateful for everyone who shows up to support me,” Kennedy said. “Every time they buy a ticket to my fight they’re supporting me as I take one step closer to my dream.”
The true realization of that dream will only come when Kennedy signs a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
“The vision has never changed,” he said. “I'm going to fight in the UFC. A couple more finishes like this one and I'll be there.”
Five in a row
Kennedy struggled a bit early on in his professional MMA career, suffering a couple of heartbreaking defeats.
However, the 30-year-old has been dialed in of late, reeling off five straight victories in increasingly dominant fashion.
On Saturday night, Kennedy made Cameron his latest victim, dominating the bout from start to finish. This bantamweight cage match was scheduled for three rounds, but only lasted two.
A highly-regarded opponent, Cameron was fresh off a second round stoppage in his previous bout against Calogero Torretto on March 8.
You must be registered for see images attach
But, Kennedy had crafted a simple, laser-focused strategy — and he wasted no time in executing it to perfection.
“I intended to showcase my striking and I definitely did that,” he said. “I landed a lot of clean punches.”
Kennedy had Cameron on the defensive throughout the opening round and then closed things out in the second. He used a rear naked choke to force a submission at the 2:16 mark.
It was the fourth consecutive victory via stoppage for Kennedy who now boasts a 5-2 professional record.
“I’m very pleased,” Kennedy said. “The most compelling thing you can do is finish a fight. When you take the judges out of the equation and make your opponent incapable of continuing, it’s the ultimate victory.”
An electric atmosphere
Kennedy has built a big following over the course of his burgeoning MMA career.
Unfortunately for local fans, there was a long wait between Kennedy’s most recent bouts for a variety of reasons.
First, he suffered an injury during his previous victory which required facial surgery. Then, two straight opponents pulled out of scheduled events in December and March.
So, Kennedy’s crew was champing at the bit when he finally strode back into the cage for Art of War 41 Saturday night.
“I’m glad I got to put on a show for them,” Kennedy said. “The environment is always electric. They wait all night to see me fight so when I finally get in the cage they really make their presence known.”
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Honesdale wrestling Aaron Kennedy mixed martial arts Art of War 41
Continue reading...
