Tim Kennedy now faces Undefeated Zak Cummings
Tim Kennedy’s life has changed since he was able to focus on fighting full time. He has more time to train and doesn’t have the idea of possibly being deployed on another combat tour coming anytime soon.
He has more time to focus on training and get a proper bit of rest, rather than sneaking in the workout on top of all of his military duties and doing it all on four-to-five hours of sleep.
“It’s amazing,” said Kennedy who has been on combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. “I’ve never felt like I do now. It makes a difference [getting a full training session and rest in].”
Kennedy is going to headline Friday’s card against Zak Cummings (10-0) in Bixby, Okla. Kennedy’s original opponent was supposed to be Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos, but Santos pulled out of the card due to an injury, and was replaced by Cummings who went from an slot on the undercard, to the main event.
Kennedy said the change didn’t throw things off too much because it was known early enough, so his camp could adjust the game plan.
“They’re opposite fighters, so we’re going to take a southpaw wrestler differently than a Chute Boxe guy,” Kennedy said.
The fight is Kennedy’s second fight this year.
Kennedy has spent time working with Mark DelaGrotte and Jorge Rivera to prepare for the bout to learn different aspects of striking and jiu-jitsu.
It’s all part of Kennedy’s attempt to get back in the MMA game, and catch him up to the other fights who didn’t have long layoffs in between fights.
“I feel like I’m behind the curb where MMA has evolved to,” Kennedy said. “I feel like I’m playing catch up. I feel comfortable. I’m still working on a lot of stuff I’m behind on and catching up. Hopefully still building my resume and getting big fights.”
He was disappointed when Cung Le vacated the middleweight title, as that was one fight Kennedy was working towards.
Kennedy might be the main event in this fight, but he’s willing to fight anywhere Strikeforce wants him to fight.
“I’m excited [to fight as a main eventer],” Kennedy said. “Where ever Strikeforce decides to put me, I’m going to do it. I just care and the type of quality of people. I want to fight the good guys out there. I’m not going to do this forever. I want to fight to the best.”
It’s all part of the next chapter in Kennedy’s life.
“I’m happy with what I did with my and contributions I’ve made,” Kennedy said. “It’s a different era for me right now. I’m always going to love fighting and the military. Right now, [the army] is giving me time to fight and it’s what I want to do.”
