Brian Kelleher
Boom
USA
Fourth straight stoppage loss
Kelleher lost to Cody Gibson via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:58 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Granted another opportunity despite entering on a three-fight losing streak, Kelleher somehow managed to suffer his fourth straight first-round stoppage defeat, which feels like it has to be some sort of record. Simply put, Gibson pushed the pace and Kelleher had zero answers. He got popped with a couple big shots early on before being dragged to the mat and choked out. Set to turn 38 years of age in less than a month, Kelleher, who made his UFC debut in June 2017, falls to 8-9 with the company, including defeats in six of his past nine bouts.
Granted another opportunity despite entering on a three-fight losing streak, Kelleher somehow managed to suffer his fourth straight first-round stoppage defeat, which feels like it has to be some sort of record. Simply put, Gibson pushed the pace and Kelleher had zero answers. He got popped with a couple big shots early on before being dragged to the mat and choked out. Set to turn 38 years of age in less than a month, Kelleher, who made his UFC debut in June 2017, falls to 8-9 with the company, including defeats in six of his past nine bouts.
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Third straight first-round defeat
Kelleher lost to Cody Garbrandt via KO (punch) at 3:42 of Round 1 at UFC 296 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Fighting for the first time in nearly a year and a half following a neck injury, Kelleher looked rusty. He did manage to connect on a handful of damaging low kicks that left Garbrandt significantly hobbled and could have paid dividends late in the bout, but Brian's inability to take a punch made that a moot point. Kelleher had some nice moments early in his UFC run, but it's been a struggle for the past several years. Now 37 years of age and sporting three straight first-round stoppage defeats, it appears overwhelmingly likely his time with the company is coming to a close.
Fighting for the first time in nearly a year and a half following a neck injury, Kelleher looked rusty. He did manage to connect on a handful of damaging low kicks that left Garbrandt significantly hobbled and could have paid dividends late in the bout, but Brian's inability to take a punch made that a moot point. Kelleher had some nice moments early in his UFC run, but it's been a struggle for the past several years. Now 37 years of age and sporting three straight first-round stoppage defeats, it appears overwhelmingly likely his time with the company is coming to a close.
Scheduled against ex-champion
Newsom (undisclosed) will compete against Cody Garbrandt in a bantamweight fight at UFC 296 in Paradise on Dec. 16, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Kelleher will have a fight in 2023 after all. He was scheduled to fight Journey Newson at UFC Vegas 72 but withdrew, citing undisclosed reasons. After nearly half a year to heal from his previous issue, Kelleher finally has the chance to bounce from his losing streak.
Kelleher will have a fight in 2023 after all. He was scheduled to fight Journey Newson at UFC Vegas 72 but withdrew, citing undisclosed reasons. After nearly half a year to heal from his previous issue, Kelleher finally has the chance to bounce from his losing streak.
Out against Newson
Kelleher will not fight Journey Newson at UFC Vegas 72 on Saturday, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
An undisclosed problem will prevent Kelleher's availability at UFC Vegas 72. Now, Newson is fighting newcomer Marcus McGhee in a 140-pound catchweight bout. Unfortunately for Kelleher, he will have to wait some time until his next fight gets scheduled.
An undisclosed problem will prevent Kelleher's availability at UFC Vegas 72. Now, Newson is fighting newcomer Marcus McGhee in a 140-pound catchweight bout. Unfortunately for Kelleher, he will have to wait some time until his next fight gets scheduled.
Set to face Newson in April
Kelleher will take on Journey Newson in a bantamweight bout at UFC Fight Night on April 29, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Kelleher will return to the octagon for the first time since June, having lost his last bout to Mario Bautista via submission (rear-naked choke) in Round 1 of their matchup. The 36-year-old holds a 24-14 overall MMA record and is 8-7 in UFC fights. Kelleher has had success in the past with his grappling ability and considering his age, he'll likely have to be at the top of his game to win in April. His opponent Journey Newson is also coming off of a loss, dropping his last bout to Sergey Morozov in December via unanimous decision.
Kelleher will return to the octagon for the first time since June, having lost his last bout to Mario Bautista via submission (rear-naked choke) in Round 1 of their matchup. The 36-year-old holds a 24-14 overall MMA record and is 8-7 in UFC fights. Kelleher has had success in the past with his grappling ability and considering his age, he'll likely have to be at the top of his game to win in April. His opponent Journey Newson is also coming off of a loss, dropping his last bout to Sergey Morozov in December via unanimous decision.
Quickly taps to Mario Bautista
Kelleher lost to Mario Bautista via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:27 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Kelleher ate some massive shots on the feet, was taken down twice, and submitted to a rear-naked choke from Bautista, all in the span of less than two and a half minutes. Vegas didn't expect "Boom" to win considering he entered as a +170 underdog, but the fact he was blown out of the water by Bautista to this extent bodes very poorly for his future with the UFC. Kelleher is now barely over .500 (8-7) in 15 bouts with the company, but he fights often and can compete in different weight classes, so he does have some value. That doesn't change the fact the soon-to-be 36-year-old Long Island native probably needs a victory his next time out in order to save his job.
Kelleher ate some massive shots on the feet, was taken down twice, and submitted to a rear-naked choke from Bautista, all in the span of less than two and a half minutes. Vegas didn't expect "Boom" to win considering he entered as a +170 underdog, but the fact he was blown out of the water by Bautista to this extent bodes very poorly for his future with the UFC. Kelleher is now barely over .500 (8-7) in 15 bouts with the company, but he fights often and can compete in different weight classes, so he does have some value. That doesn't change the fact the soon-to-be 36-year-old Long Island native probably needs a victory his next time out in order to save his job.