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A win over Dominick Cruz at UFC 259 is essential for Casey Kenney’s bantamweight rise

Whereas 2020 was in no way good for bantamweight Casey Kenney, it was nonetheless a really fruitful 12 months for him. Most significantly for Kenney, he was capable of keep busy in 2020, selecting up three wins in 4 fights, making for a powerful 5-1 begin to his UFC profession. “2020 wasn’t everyone’s 12 months, but it surely was one in all my higher years,” Kenny advised MMAWeekly.com. “It obtained me ready the place I need to be within the combat sport. “I obtained some cash in my pocket and gained some new followers; issues I wished to get executed on this sport I did in 2020.” Whereas some would possibly take a look at a loss as a nasty factor, Kenney views it as a possibility to indicate his ability set. “I had my first loss within the UFC to begin off in 2020, and everyone desires to see the way you reply off a loss and I responded very well,” mentioned Kenney. “The entire Combat Island factor was fairly cool too, combating shut again to again, and I obtained my first end versus (Louis) Smolka as properly. I went via rather a lot in 2020 and it was all good things.” This Saturday in Las Vegas, Kenney (16-2-1) will look to take one other step ahead in his profession when he faces Dominick Cruz (22-3) in a UFC 259 preliminary 135-pound bout. TRENDING > Khamzat Chimaev says he’s executed; Chechen chief and Dana White say he’s not retiring “To be a champion it’s a must to beat former champions, and Dominick Cruz is a superb place to begin,” Kenney mentioned. “He’s a legend on this sport, however I feel that is my time, and hopefully we’ll see it very quickly. “I’m totally ready and time will inform on the market, however Dominick Cruz is a big check and I don’t need to look previous him.” With how deep the 135-pound weight class is within the UFC, Kenney is aware of he’s going to need to do one thing to face out amongst the pack to get to the highest of the ladder. With that being mentioned, he’s trying to make Saturday’s bout a springboard for his case to maneuver nearer to title competition. “This (combat) is what I’m centered on proper now, however I do plan on getting in a pair extra fights this 12 months afterwards,” mentioned Kenney.” “Bantamweight is without doubt one of the hottest divisions proper now, so I’m going to want to place collectively a handful of wins to get that title shot. Dominick Cruz is a big step in that path, and I feel that may assist me get the fights I must get that title shot, perhaps later this 12 months.” Patricio Pitbull points million greenback problem to Dana White to beat Conor McGregor (Subscribe to MMAWeekly.com on YouTube)