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Muhammad Ali is a name that not only resonates with every sports fan but near the whole population of the world. So when Mixed Martial Artist, Kevin Casey married Ali’s daughter Hana no doubt he would feel the pressure on his already full shoulders.
Who is Kevin Casey?
Kevin Casey was born in Inglewood, Florida on June 15th, 1981. Casey found his love for Jiu-Jitsu in 1995 when he befriended Rockson Gracie, son of Jiu-Jitsu and MMA legend, Rickson Gracie.
From then on, Casey also branched off into Mixed Martial Arts making his professional debut in 2007 at an event in Japan.
Kevin Casey has always caught the eye due to his very chiselled frame of 5 foot 11 and 84kg. Ever since Casey’s debut in 2007, he has fought at Middleweight which suits his reach and height.
Did Kevin Casey have a successful start to MMA career?
From 2007 (Debut) to 2012, Casey had compiled a career fight record of 5 wins and losses, which included a big win over former UFC Middleweight title contender, Matt Lindland. Casey won that fight by techincal knockout towards the end of the last round.
Following a win in 2012 in his home state of California, Casey announced he would compete in the UFC reality-competition program ‘The Ultimate Fighter’.
The Ultimate Fighter
Casey was given a chance to impress on the biggest stage of them all, The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Casey had to win a preliminary fight to gain an entry into the competition, and ended up impressing with a rear-naked choke in the first round against Eldon Sproat.
Casey was one of the more impressive winners of the preliminary round along with technical freak, Uriah Hall and heavy-handed, Clint Hester.
Casey would eventually be picked eleventh overall by Chael Sonnen. Sonnen was impressed with Casey’s power and technical ability.
He went on to fight fifth-picked Colin Hart and surprisingly lost by unanimous decision. It wasn’t surprising that after the fight, Hart was chosen the winner – it was more the fact that before the fight, Casey looked to be the favourite due to his overall fighting ability and experience.
A lot of viewers and other fighters concluded that their reasoning for Casey’s loss was that he lost the mental battle. Before the fight, Colin Hart was very disrespectful to Casey and was bragging about his ability.
Luckily for Casey, he was given a second chance through the wild card opportunity. Chael Sonnen ended up choosing Kevin Casey for a second chance, saying that he thought Casey was the most likely to succeed given a second chance.
Casey would end up battling hot head and the most experienced fighter in the competition, Bubba McDaniel.
In the first round, Casey was a dominant force. He used his physicality to control McDaniel around the octagon and on the ground, clearly winning the first round.
Going into the second round, Casey’s corner was very optimistic that if he just stayed away from McDaniel’s advances he could see out the second round and win the fight.
Halfway through the second round, Casey looked exhausted and could barely move without stumbling. McDaniel took advantage and treated Casey like a ragdoll.
Casey clearly lost the second round, and in order for the fight winner to be determined, a third round had to be started.
To the surprise of McDaniel and his corner, Casey’s corner threw in the towel due to Casey being physically unable to continue.
A lot of fighters were annoyed with Casey quitting due to the fact they missed out on a rare second chance to him.
At the finale, all fighters were given an opportunity to prove themselves. Casey would face final four young gun, Josh Samman.
This would prove to be a great third chance for Casey to prove himself and secure a coveted UFC contract.
Unfortunately, Samman proved to be too quick and skilful for the older and slower Casey. Samman ended up beating Casey in the second round with knees for a technical knockout victory.
Casey, unfortunately, blew a third chance.
Life after The Ultimate Fighter
After a disappointing campaign in the Ultimate Fighter, Casey went on to fight for the promotion ‘RFA’. Casey went on to win three straight fights by the way of knockout twice and unanimous decision on one occasion.
Casey looked like a reinvented fighter in those three outings, improving on his cardio and overall pace. Impressing UFC scouts, Casey was given another opportunity at the highest level.
His first bout would be against knockout specialist Bubba Bush. In the opening round, Casey was dominant as soon as the bell went. Casey went on to win by technical knockout due to elbows – but only to have the win overturned due to Casey testing positive for illegal substances. Again, Casey had wasred an opportunity.
In his next five fights in the UFC, he compiled a record of two losses, one win, a draw and a no contest. After a disappointing UFC campaign Casey was let go by the UFC.
In November of 2016, Casey signed with UFC rival, Bellator MMA. Given a new lease on life, Casey jumped at the opportunity of a new contract and signed.
A newly reinvented Kevin Casey
Kevin Casey’s first fight in Bellator would take place at Bellator 170 in his hometown of Inglewood. Casey would be facing 29-year-old Keith Berry, who had a record of 15 wins and 13 losses.
This was a great opportunity for Casey to impress his new employers on quite a good card. Winning in his hometown would put the icing on the cake for the California native.
In the first round, Casey looked the best he had ever looked in his long career. Berry had been dropped by Casey numerous times in the first round with Casey unable to finish Berry.
For the rest of the fight, it was a lacklustre affair. The slow movement, little action and no urge to win by either fighter really soured the rest of this very promising fight.
Casey and Berry went on to have a majority draw – one judge proclaiming Casey the winner, but the other two judges denied to select a winner.
It was a bitter moment for Casey, leaving the arena of his hometown with a ‘nothing’ result.
What is next for Kevin Casey?
After Casey’s devastating draw with Keith Berry, there has been little to no reports of Casey’s next fight in Bellator.
On a multi-fight contract, Casey is near guaranteed another opportunity to produce a win in Bellator.
With Casey himself and his gym being quiet on his current physical status, there is no telling if Casey is healthy or if he is just waiting for a phone call.
Until then, all we can hope for is Kevin Casey to never give up and keep grinding. In isolation, the first round against Keith Berry was a master class.
If Casey can reproduce that form for three full rounds, he will quickly work his way through the weak middleweight division of Bellator.
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