“I Like Punching People in the Face”

IFL Red Bears’ middleweight Tim Kennedy has two fights coming up: one with the Silverbacks and one with the scales.

“Right before you rang me I was running. I’m still trying to cut weight, so I’ve been eating a lot of celery and running five times a day,” says Kennedy. “This morning I did distance running for about an hour and a half, and then this afternoon I’m doing sprint intervals.”

Although living on the West Coast’s San Luis Obispo, Tim was hastily drawn away from California by the Chicago-based Red Bears to compete on their IFL team. But being involved in tug-o-wars is something Kennedy became accustomed to when he first took up wrestling.

“I think my dad was trying to counterbalance my mom’s influence: My mom is a very nice, non-violent, really sweet lady who would make my brother and me take dancing lessons and cooking classes. So my dad tried to even us out: He had us shooting guns and wrestling. I was eleven then.”

As well as the wrestling, Tim also enrolled in jiu jitsu – both of which he says he competed in outside of the school system. “Yeah; I did freestyle wrestling, which is non-collegiate, and I competed in jiu jitsu, which of course wasn’t at school. I competed in submission tournaments and went on to win Grapplers Quest a couple of times. I fought Jeremy Williams and Diego Sanchez.”

In more recent years Tim has drifted towards the striking arts, taking on kickboxing, and now trains with John Hackleman who is also Tim’s manager and coach. “The kickboxing is actually Hawaiian Kempo – that’s what The Pit does.”

Tim, was it through being with John Hackleman and training at The Pit that you got into MMA?

“I was born and raised in San Luis Obispo, California, and that’s where Chuck Liddell, Scott Adams, Glover Teixeira… That’s where all those guys live, so just by happenstance of my being there and working out with those guys, it just spawned into my being involved in MMA.”

How did you come to be with the Red Bears?

“Two shows back, they were short a 205-pounder – I naturally walk around at 215 or 220, and they were just calling everybody to get a 205-pounder. I think they called John, who had Chuck, Glover and me. John sent it my way, and they called me the day before the fight and asked if I could make 205. I cut down and fought Dante Rivera.”

Have you trained with Igor Zinoviev yet?

“Just this last time he was able to give me some pointers, and he was in the corner for my fight, but I haven’t had an opportunity to go up there and fight. They keep inviting me, but my work schedule won’t permit me to get away.” 

Tim Kennedy (red/yellow trunks) of the Red Bears battles Dante Rivera 
of the Pitbulls in a light heavyweight bout at the International Fight League event in Duluth, Ga., on Feb. 23, 2007.

You have an impressive record (7-1-0) with your first bout being your only loss. Did that give you a lot of confidence for debuting in the IFL?

“No, I think what gives me confidence is the standard of guys that I’ve trained with. Nobody’s ever going to hit me as hard as Chuck is; nobody is ever going to be as hard a takedown as Glover; nobody’s ever going to have submissions as good as Scott Adams or Justin Fraser. And when I’m not in California, and I’m on the East Coast, I am working out with Allan Shebaro (Carlos Machado blackbelt) and Greg Thompson (Royce Gracie blackbelt), so I’m never really worried.”

Do you think this will be a lasting lineup for the Red Bears, or do you think there will be more chopping and changing?

“Last time I talked to them, they were still looking for one guy, but I think the guys they have are solid. I know Dino (Costeas) and Leo (Khorolinsky) are trying to put together the best team. In all sports, any new team takes a few trial-by-errors to determine who they want to start.”

On May 19 the Red Bears take on the Silverbacks; what are you expecting from Ryan McGivern?

“I’m expecting him to want to dictate a fast-paced fight. I think he might want to stand with me, which would be awesome. In his last fight, he was primarily on his feet, using his wrestling background to not get taken down. That’s exactly where I want him – standing on his feet.

“I think it’s going to be an awesome fight; he’s going to be a hard guy to finish. I think he has a desire to win and be in the best shape – well I’m going to be in my best shape.”

And you have a strong desire to win.

“Yeah, I’m pretty keen on a first- or second-round knockout. I always go out there swinging punches, looking to knock them out, so that’s usually my game plan.”

And if it does go to the ground?

“I use the ground to get back to my feet: I’m not looking to submit anybody unless I’m trying to prove a point. I’m comfortable on the ground, but I like punching people in the face.”

Tim, is there anything you’d like to add?

“I’m real grateful that the Red Bears are having me on their lineup again; I appreciate your time; and thank God for keeping me safe.

“Every time I come out, I’m out there for the fans: The reason the sport is going the way it is, is because people are coming to see it. I’m always going to go out there and give my best effort and give them a good knockout – that’s what the fans want to see. I fight for the sport, but I couldn’t do the sport without the fans, so I love them.”

Sponsors?

“Right now I’m pretty much sticking with God.”

Kennedy won by submission in the second round.

For more on Tim Kennedy: www.ifl.tv.