Casey Kenney came into UFC Philadelphia on six days’ notice to upset the former flyweight title-challenger. A tough bout for both men, but Kenney got the decision win.
Casey Kenney comes into UFC Philadelphia having fought for LFA just last Friday, winning their interim bantamweight title and becoming a two-division champion. Kenney is 11-1-1 in his career and fought on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series twice in 2017, going 1-1. The Indiana native has won his last four fights under the LFA banner.
Ray Borg was first set to fight Pingyuan Liu, then Kyler Phillips, and now Casey Kenney. It’s been a busy road for Borg ahead of UFC Philadelphia. On top of the opponent switches, he’s had to take care of his infant son, who was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and required brain surgery. Borg has not fought since his title shot in 2017, when he suffered the third loss of his career. This will be Borg’s first fight at bantamweight in his career. He missed weight yesterday, coming in at 137 pounds.
Both men touch gloves to kick off the action. Kenney starts off with throwing a leg kick. Borg pressuring early but Kenney is getting active early, mixing up kicks before Borg attempts a takedown. Borg pushes Kenney against the fence and actively searches for a takedown. Kenney turns Borg around and his landing knees. Kenney takes down Borg with a trip. Borg looking to transition back to full guard but Kenney maintains half guard. Borg searching for a kimura but Kenney defends well. Kenney takes the back of Borg and is looking for a rear-naked choke. Borg explodes out and looks for his own takedown. Kenney landed a nice elbow to defend the takedown. Borg now gets his own takedown but Kenney gets up and is now looking for a takedown. Kenney has control of Borg’s back again but ends up on bottom to end the round due to a scramble.
Cageside Press Scored the First Round 10-9 Kenney
Action kicks off again and Borg is going for a takedown again. Kenney defends initially but his back is against the fence. Borg still pressing for the takedown but Kenney defends well and now looks for his own takedown. Borg quickly circles off and manages to take Kenney down. Borg takes the back and is looking for the choke. Kenney shakes Borg off his back and is now on top of Borg. Kenney is landing short ground-and-pound. Borg gets up but Kenney lands a nice knee inside. Grinding matchup so far as both men exchange positions on the fence. They break for a second and Borg lands a nice right hand. Borg takes the back after landing another takedown attempt but Kenney ends the round on top.
Cageside Press Scored the Second Round 10-9 Borg
Kenney pressing early on the feet landing kicks. Borg runs in and gets a body lock takedown. Borg looking for the back again but Kenney defends well and is landing knees in the clinch. Both men are tired but Borg manages to lock his hands and get him down. Borg is on Kenney’s back again but Kenney gets on top again. Kenney is looking for a rear-naked choke against the fence but Borg gets out and is looking for his own takedown again. Borg gets him down but Kenney is back up. They break away as Kenney presses forward and both men trade to end the round. Good showing from both men.
Cageside Press Scored the Third Round 10-9 Borg (29-28 Borg)
Casey Kenney def. Ray Borg by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
