Jeremy Kennedy certainly landed the ideal opponent to launch this year's PFL playoffs.
The Langley, B.C. fighter Kennedy (14-2) is set to square off with Luis Rafael Laurentino (34-2) in the featherweight quarterfinals of the 2019 PFL playoffs Thursday night in Las Vegas, NV.
Earlier this year, Kennedy, 27, and Laurentino crossed paths during the PFL regular season where Laurentino picked up a swift first round knockout, a contest that was finalized just 24 hours before fight night after both their initial opponents failed to make weight.
Given the nature of that initial bout and how it concluded, Kennedy expressed excitement about finally getting another shot to demonstrate he's the superior fighter.
"I'm laser-focused on one fight, one opponent, and redemption. I'd take this bout for nothing," Kennedy said in an interview.
"I'm incredibly fortunate that things fell into place where I get him right away in the first round. For my career, my record, and my legacy, this situation is ideal because I genuinely believe I'm the better fighter and lost out unfairly last time. Having the opportunity to correct that mistake means everything to me."
While vengeance ranks high on Kennedy's agenda, the stakes of this rematch carry considerably more weight, as the victor advances to the semi-finals and draws nearer to competing for the million dollar grand final bout.
Even though it's difficult not to contemplate winning $1 million with three consecutive victories, Kennedy insisted it's the last thing occupying his thoughts currently.
"I can't even entertain thoughts of the New Year's Eve show; I can't focus on the finals because I haven't reached that stage yet. I haven't earned my spot," Kennedy explained.
"I'm concentrating solely on defeating these fighters and taking things one step at a time. Right now, what stands before me is an opportunity to secure a piece of that million by overcoming two opponents. As far as I'm concerned, I still have three wins ahead of me."
Double The Action
Given the PFL playoff format, Kennedy is positioned to potentially fight twice on the same evening if he bests Laurentino, facing the winner of Movlid Khaybulaev and Daniel Pineda in the semi-final should he pull off the victory.
When asked about the prospect of a second fight on the same card, Kennedy noted that the opening bout would require selective use of his arsenal, yet he'd still emerge victorious regardless of approach.
"Once you're inside the cage for that second bout, you can let everything loose, but with that opening fight you need to guard certain weapons," Kennedy observed.
"You have to conserve yourself in the opening contest, but you can't alter your game plan. It's about being selective with which tools you deploy, yet securing a victory no matter what it takes."
Their initial encounter wrapped up swiftly, with Laurentino landing the knockout merely 23 seconds into the opening round.
But entering this rematch with an entire training camp dedicated to preparation and studying Laurentino, Kennedy claims he understands precisely what lies ahead.
"I've noticed he loses speed. He's highly flashy and spinny in the opening round, but that style diminishes as the contest unfolds," Kennedy pointed out.
"He becomes more of a jiu-jitsu fighter by the conclusion, and I believe my style is ideally suited to exploit him. I trust I'm a more well-rounded and complete competitor than he is."
