Next MMA Fighter

We got the chance to catch up with up and coming fighter Derrick Kennington who is riding a 4 fight winning streak and stepping into the cage on Saturday night at Carolina Fight Promotions Sunfest Fight Series 2 in Myrtle Beach, SC after a 1 year layoff.

NextMMAFighter.com : Thanks for taking the time to speak with us Derrick, tell us how your preparations are coming along for what will be your first fight in over a year.

Derrick Kennington : Well I am taking this fight on less than 2 weeks notice so there wasn’t a whole lot of specific preparations for this fight except going over different situations that I will or could encounter in the fight. Its a fight man so anything can happen. I don’t want to get stuck on one gameplan, then be
SOL when the fight goes somewhere else.

Tell us about the gym you train on and what you have been working on to get ready for this fight?

I teach MMA at a local Martial Arts gym here in Sumter, SC a couple nights called Keishidojo where I have a group of young up and comers that give me a good run for my money in sparring. I have a couple of them fighting in September so we are all always ready. I train at Ridge Pointe with Josh Eagans the rest of the time where there is also a good group of guys to push u, especially Josh.

Speaking on your layoff you just returned from Iraq, tell us how you balance your training with your responsibilities in your military career.

While in Iraq I am still training MMA. I think I trained more while over there than I do here, because I have nothing else to do. Being back in the states it is a little tougher to find time due to my military responsibilities. When I am home and not abroad I am always preparing for something that might happen in the world. Family also takes up alot of my time when I am home, but I seem to make it all work somehow.

Your opponent is Will Estes who is a fighter young in his career how do you see the fight playing out?

I don’t see him having anything that I have never encountered in a fight before or anything that is going to take me out of my element. I am definitely not looking past him or taking him lightly, I just don’t think he is on the same level as me yet.

Most fighters can describe themselves with a certain style, do you have one? If so what is it.

I feel like I have a well rounded style. Even though I haven’t knocked anyone out, I still think I am dangerous on my feet. My wrestling is improving as well and most of my wins are by submission but only one of them did I take my opponent down. The rest of my wins by submission I just ended up on the ground and finished it. I try to constantly be on the attack and I think thats definitel what people can expect when they watch me fight.

What led you to a career in Mixed Martial Arts?

I have always been competitive and wanted to box or something. My dad and cousin were golden glove boxers, so it was already in the family to become a fighter. I lived in a small town were there were no boxing gyms or anything like that, so I just played other sports to fuel my competitive nature. When I was in Alaska, there was an instructor from the Yudansha Fighting System named Martin Saurez who was offering Judo, Jiu Jitsu, and Muay Thai. He had just moved from Japan where he got his Judo black belt and opened up a school. I signed up immediately and never looked back.

What are your goals for your career in MMA?

I want to be the best. Whether its in the UFC or not. I want to make it to a big show by 30 yrs old and become a champion.

Who are some of your idols past and present in MMA and why?

My mentor and person who got me started in MMA would have to be Martin Saurez for all the wisdom he has given me both mentally and physically. Second would be Big Nog for sure. Nogueira and my mentor Saurez are alike in a sense where you can beat me up but eventually I’m gonna catch u slippin!

Looking at mainstream MMA upcoming shows, who do you think will win the main event at UFC 117 between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen. As we all know, Chael has been talking a ton of trash. On that note, do you think this is effective leading up to a fight?

I am going with Chael! I really enjoy his fighting style and think he can beat Anderson as long as he can get inside. I don’t think trash talk is that effective when u are at the higher levels just because they are trying to sell themselves and I don’t really think it is that personal. With that being said, I think it has ruffled Anderson Silvas feathers a little though.

Thanks for taking the time to talk to us and best of luck on Saturday, in closing is there anyone you would like to thank?

I want to thank all the guys in Iraq that helped me out with my training. I also want to thank No Quarter and Cardio Factor/Adapt X Labs for the great products they produce and for the support both at home and in Iraq! Most importantly my mom for being such a strong woman and fighting like a girl. My Mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and is almost done with her treatments so I am very proud of her. Also all my training partners, without them I wouldn’t be able to train properly. Thanks!