Bellator MMA will make its return to Dublin, Ireland on Saturday, October 3rd for Bellator 285: Henderson vs Queally. The event will take place at the 3Arena and will showcase Irish featherweight prospect Kenny Mokhonoana against Alex Bodnar.
The Career of Kenny Mokhonoana
Mokhonoana (3-0) began his amateur journey in 2015 and spent 18 months in the amateur scene, compiling a record of 11-6. In June 2021, he turned professional and secured his first two wins by decision. He was then given the opportunity to fight for UAE Warriors and won in the first round.
Kenny Mokhonoana sat down to speak exclusively with Combat Sports UK ahead of his Bellator debut:
Thank you for taking time out to talk to me, how is training camp going? How are you feeling physically and mentally ahead of this fight?
“I’m good, feeling good looking forward to another finish”
Thoughts Ahead of Bellator
You are fighting for Bellator, the biggest stage you’ve ever fought on. What does fighting on a global stage mean to you?
“It’s the biggest stage I’ve fought on by far the lights are brighter and the crowd is bigger but once I get in the cage It’s something I’ve done over 20 times so with a win I’m only looking up from here.”
How excited are you to fight on your home turf? Do you feel that it brings any extra pressure at all?
“It’s been in my head wanting to fight in the 3arena for years watching from the stands and Bellator and other events there so it will be a special night fighting in front of friends and family. I actually don’t feel any pressure right now But you know what they say “pressure makes diamonds”
What do you feel you offer Bellator that they have never seen before?
“Difficult question I don’t really know I try not to compare myself to anyone or what anyone else is doing I know my worth and where I’m going in this sport regardless.”
Fight Style and Goals
What are your short-term, and long-term goals within the sport?
“My short-term goal with all the eyes on this fight I wanna statement in this fight and make my stock go up. I’m giving my life to this sport, literally, everything I do is for this sport so it would be disrespectful to myself and everything I sacrifice not to be aim for the top be the best featherweight in the world, and secure my daughter and my mam financially”
What qualities do you possess that you believe will give you the edge over your opponent?
“I Believe I’m more well-rounded than him, I honestly think it’s a really bad fight for him”
How would you describe your fight style to someone who has never seen you fight before? What in particular makes this a bad fight for Alex Bodnar?
“On the ground, I’m always attacking whether it’s on top or bottom on feet I’m hard to hit and read I think I can sharper everywhere and more tricky than him”
Get to Know Kenny Mokhonoana
How did you get into the sport?
“I’ve always been surrounded by fighting my brother Frans Mlambo was winning world champions watching fights and boxing way before I started training which gave me a spark to start training seriously & there was a path to make a career in this”
Who are some of your favorite fighters to watch in the sport, and why?
“Prime Anderson Silva – because how creative he and dominate he ways is my favourite martial artist of all time”
Outside of fighting, what do you like to do? Do you have any interesting hobbies you do when not training?
“I like watching premier league and playing ps5 or just being a fan of the sport of MMA watching fights but my biggest hobby after this fight is gonna be getting some greasy food into me.”
Fight Prediction
And finally, how do you predict the fight to go down?
“Save bet is a submission cause of how my last 3 fights have gone”
Awesome mate thank you I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me, is there anybody you would like to shout out?
“Shout out to my team, family, and anyone that has helped me in this fight camp, especially people who bought tickets to see the fights.”
