Casey Kenney cruised to victory at UFC Fight Island 4, picking up a one-sided decision victory over Heili Alateng.
Chinese bantamweight Heili Alateng, known as “The Mongolian Knight,” rode a four-fight win streak into UFC Fight Island 4 on Saturday. Opposite him was arguably his toughest test to date, however, in former LFA double-champ Casey Kenney. Kenney himself was looking to make it two in a row, after defeating Louis Smolka back in May.
Kenney opened up fast, throwing a variety of kicks to the body that left Alateng’s body red early. Kenney was pushing the pressure and never let Alateng get into a rhythm, throwing heavy early. He repeatedly slammed the body kicks and then went up high for a head kick. He also began feinting and landing hard hooks, Alateng was landing his own strikes but Kenney beat him to the punch every time. Alateng lost his mouthpiece with about 90 seconds left in the first round, but Kenney wasn’t letting him get it back, as he fired off a huge combination that landed. Alateng ended up getting his mouthpiece and miraculously made it to round two after eating what seemed like multiple fight-ending shots.
Kenney opened up round two the same way the entire first round went, by landing devastating body kicks. Kenney landed a big combination in the opening seconds that had the referee warn Alateng to defend himself. However, Kenney didn’t push for the finish. Alateng did have a brief moment of success following Kenney with a hard right hand that caused him to push forward for a minute. However, Kenney landed a hard body kick that forced Alateng’s body to the fence once again. Kenney started to beat on Alateng like he was a heavy bag, going to the body and going to the head with kicks once again. Alateng did a good job of surviving again in round two, but surviving was about the only good thing he did.
Kenney went right back to work in round three, landing shot after shot to the ribcage of Alateng. Alateng wasn’t discouraged, however, as he tried to march forward and land shots in the opening moments of round three. Kenney still went ahead with his gameplan, landing more head kicks and began integrating a hard right cross. Alateng’s arms and ribs were extremely red but he kept marching forward trying to get the finish. However, the finish wouldn’t come for him or Casey Kenney, as the two headed to the scorecards.
⛽️ All gas, no brakes! @CKMMA135 still pushing the pace in the 3rd!#UFCFightIsland4 live on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/qKdju2o67j
— UFC (@ufc) October 4, 2020
Casey Kenney def. Heili Alateng by Unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26, 30-27)
