In an interview on the MMA Hour show this week middleweight top 10 contender Tim Kennedy made it clear that he’s become disillusioned with the state of the sport at this moment in time.
So much so in fact that the 35 year-old is struggling to find the motivation to step into the Octagon again unless it’s against one of the sports biggest names.
“[It] has to be something special,” Kennedy said of a potential fight that would entice him back. “Fedor [Emelianenko] comes out of retirement and I fight him at a catchweight of 100 kilos. I’d be down for that.”
He’d also be interested in a fight with current champion Chris Weidman, but with Kennedy currently being ranked No.8 and coming off a somewhat controversial loss to Yoel Romero last time out that’s just as unlikely to become a reality as a fight with ‘The Last Emperor’ for the time being.
Despite being “bored” with the other potential match-ups put in front of him so far, it seems there’s a whole range of other issues that are also contributing to Kennedy’s current state of mind.
“I’m just disappointed in the sport in a lot of different ways,” Kennedy said. “Not only the rampant drug use. Guys cheating. Judging. I’ve been a professional in the sport for 13 years. I’ve been a martial artist for 25, 28 years. And nothing has changed.”
On top of that he’s also understandably concerned about the damage his brain may be taking while he continues to compete.
“I need my brain,” Kennedy stated. “This sport does not compensate enough for me to be damaged for the rest of my life, not to be able to have a real career the last 40 years of my life.”
Kennedy’s career prospects outside of the cage are brighter than most thanks a long standing job with the military where he was a member of the Special Forces and still remains a consultant.
Nevertheless, he is still a significant player in the IFC’s 185lb division and was on a four-fight winning streak prior to his loss in September of last year, so hopefully he rediscovers his desire to compete.
