Surrey’s Jeremy Kennedy sits at a 9-0-0 professional MMA record and looks for another W at UFC Fight Night on March 11, 2017 in Brazil. The 24-year-old featherweight fighter is training to be in the best shape of his career and will enter the octagon for the second time, after winning his UFC debut on home soil at Rogers Arena last summer.
Update: Jeremy Kennedy is now 10-0-0.
We got a chance to chat with Jeremy Kennedy who shared what the sport means to him and how he got his nickname.
What got you into MMA and how did you pursue it professionally?
Growing up fighting and wrestling with my older brother led me to jiujitsu to try and gain an advantage. I was pretty natural at it so started competing in Brazilian jiujitsu right away and it just snowballed from there.
What did training in kick-boxing and jiu-jitsu as a kid instill in you?
It made martial arts a lifestyle. I have been training so long and all through growing up I’ve seen a lot of evolution and change in the game in each discipline and if adapted each time to better my game.
Do you remember the moment you got signed to UFC?
Yes I was teaching jiujitsu when I got the call from my manager and I could barely control my emotions trying to finish class haha.
What was it like fighting in the UFC on home soil at Rogers Arena last summer?
It was pretty natural, most of my other fights were all local so it was a perfect way to introduce myself to the big show. Fighting in my back yard with my home town crowd that supported me for all my previous fights, now heading into someone else home I’m more than ready for it.
How is your training going ahead of your March 11th fight in Brazil?
Training is going awesome, I’m in the best shape of my life and surrounded by great coaches and training partners.
Where does your nickname JBC come from?
It came way back when I was just starting out my amateur career and was uneducated on a good diet, I was always eating Wendy’s “junior bacon cheeseburgers”.
Advice for aspiring mixed-martial artists?
Consistency is key, make sure you are always training and always pushing forward. Adapt your life so that everything you do is a step towards becoming a better martial artist.
Interview by Amar Mirchandani @amarmirch