Kenneth Duane Robertson[1] (born February 14, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist. A professional mixed martial artist since 2008, he has also competed for the UFC and Bellator.

Kenny Robertson
BornKenneth Duane Robertson[1]
(1984-02-14) February 14, 1984 (age 40)
East Peoria, Illinois, United States
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Weight170.5 lb (77.3 kg; 12.18 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Reach74.0 in (188 cm)[3]
Fighting out ofSpring Bay, Illinois, United States
TeamTeam Robertson
Central Illinois Combat Club
WrestlingNCAA Division I Wrestling[4]
Years active2008–2016, 2021–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total22
Wins15
By knockout7
By submission6
By decision2
Losses7
By knockout2
By decision5
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Before MMA edit

In high school he wrestled for Metamora Township High School.[5] Robertson excelled in wrestling, where he was a three time NCAA Division I qualifier[4] for Eastern Illinois University. While competing for the Panthers he was a four time West Regional conference finalist. He took 3rd his freshman year, 2nd sophomore years in 2005, and then won the championship as a junior and senior in 2006 and 2007. As a junior in 2006, he was one match away from being an All American at the NCAA championships. His senior year was the last year that Eastern Illinois University sponsored a wrestling program, making Robertson the last NCAA qualifier the school ever had.

Mixed martial arts career edit

Early career edit

Robertson compiled a 10–0 professional MMA record before signing with the UFC including a submission win over TUF alum John Kolosci at Bellator XXV.

Ultimate Fighting Championship edit

Robertson was expected to make his UFC debut against fellow unbeaten fighter, Pascal Krauss on November 13, 2010, at UFC 122.[6] However, Robertson was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Mark Scanlon.[7]

Robertson eventually made his UFC debut on February 5, 2011, at UFC 126, losing to Mike Pierce via TKO in the second round.[8] Following the loss, Robertson was released from the promotion.

Post-UFC edit

Robertson had his first post-UFC fight against fellow UFC veteran Lúcio Linhares on October 1, 2011. He won via KO due to a spinning backfist in round 1.

Return to UFC edit

Robertson made his UFC return against Aaron Simpson on July 11, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV: Munoz vs. Weidman, replacing an injured Jon Fitch.[9] He lost the fight via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).

Robertson defeated Brock Jardine on February 23, 2013, at UFC 157.[10] He was victorious in the first round due to a modified kneebar from the back mount position. The submission applies pressure to the hamstring of the opponent by grabbing the ankle and hyperextending at the knee. The finish earned him the Submission of the Night bonus.[11]

Robertson faced Sean Pierson on June 15, 2013, at UFC 161.[12] Pierson defeated Robertson via majority decision.

Robertson was expected to face Joao Zeferino on September 4, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 28.[13] However, Robertson pulled out of the bout citing and injury and was replaced by UFC newcomer Elias Silverio.[14]

Robertson faced Thiago Perpétuo on March 23, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 38.[15] He won the fight via submission in the first round.[16]

Robertson was briefly linked to a bout with Zak Cummings on July 16, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 45.[17] However, Cummings was pulled from that fight in favor of a matchup with Gunnar Nelson a few days later at UFC Fight Night 46 after his opponent Ryan LaFlare was removed from the card.[18] Subsequently, Robertson eventually faced Ildemar Alcântara on July 5, 2014, at UFC 175.[19] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Robertson faced Sultan Aliev on January 24, 2015, at UFC on Fox 14.[20] He won the fight via knockout in the first round. The win also earned Robertson his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[21]

Robertson was expected to face George Sullivan on April 18, 2015, at UFC on Fox 15.[22] However, Robertson pulled out of the bout citing injury and was replaced by Tim Means.[23]

Robertson next faced Ben Saunders on July 25, 2015, at UFC on Fox 16.[24] He lost the back-and-forth fight by split decision.[25]

Robertson faced Roan Carneiro on September 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 94.[26] He lost the fight via split decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.[27]

Post-UFC career edit

After over four years away from competition, Robertson is scheduled to challenge Dante Schiro for the Caged Aggression Welterweight Championship at Caged Aggression 30 on March 27, 2021.[28]

Robertson faced Chris Curtis on July 30, 2021, at XMMA 2. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[29]

Personal life edit

Now that his career in fighting has ended he has become a teacher at Eureka High School in Eureka, Illinois, teaching industrial arts.[30] He has also previously taught woodshop at Metamora High School.[31]

Championships and achievements edit

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
22 matches 15 wins 7 losses
By knockout 4 2
By submission 9 0
By decision 2 5
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 15–7 Chris Curtis Decision (unanimous) XMMA 2: Saunders vs. Nijem July 30, 2021 3 5:00 Greenville, South Carolina, United States
Loss 15–6 Dante Schiro TKO (punches) Caged Aggression 30: Triple Threat Day 3 March 27, 2021 2 3:48 Davenport, Iowa, United States For the Caged Aggression Welterweight Championship.
Loss 15–5 Roan Carneiro Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Johnson September 17, 2016 3 5:00 Hidalgo, Texas, United States
Loss 15–4 Ben Saunders Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Dillashaw vs. Barão 2 July 25, 2015 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 15–3 Sultan Aliev KO (punches) UFC on Fox: Gustafsson vs. Johnson January 24, 2015 1 2:42 Stockholm, Sweden Performance of the Night.
Win 14–3 Ildemar Alcântara Decision (unanimous) UFC 175 July 5, 2014 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 13–3 Thiago Perpétuo Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Henderson 2 March 23, 2014 1 1:45 Natal, Brazil
Loss 12–3 Sean Pierson Decision (majority) UFC 161 June 15, 2013 3 5:00 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Win 12–2 Brock Jardine Submission (Suloev stretch)[35] UFC 157 February 23, 2013 1 2:57 Anaheim, California, United States Submission of the Night.
Loss 11–2 Aaron Simpson Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fuel TV: Munoz vs. Weidman July 11, 2012 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States
Win 11–1 Lúcio Linhares KO (spinning back fist) FF 31: Fight Festival 31 October 1, 2011 1 4:44 Helsinki, Finland
Loss 10–1 Mike Pierce TKO (punches) UFC 126 February 5, 2011 2 0:29 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–0 John Kolosci Submission (americana) Bellator 25 August 19, 2010 2 0:57 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 9–0 Igor Almeida TKO (punches) MFC: Maximo Fighting Championship April 30, 2010 2 0:50 San Juan, Puerto Rico
Win 8–0 Gerald Meerschaert Submission (kneebar) MT 19: Madtown Throwdown 19 May 2, 2009 1 3:15 Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Win 7–0 LeVon Maynard Decision (unanimous) C3: Domination November 22, 2008 3 5:00 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win 6–0 Roy Timmons TKO (punches) Cage Rage: Kokomo August 9, 2008 1 1:51 Kokomo, Indiana, United States
Win 5–0 Herbert Goodman Submission (armbar) Combat USA: Battle in the Bay 7 May 30, 2008 3 N/A Green Bay, Wisconsin United States
Win 4–0 Brady Gillian Submission (armbar) Cage Rage: Lafayette May 3, 2008 1 0:55 Lafayette, Indiana, United States
Win 3–0 AJ Skiba TKO (punches) C3: Corral Combat Classic 2 April 26, 2008 1 3:18 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win 2–0 Jay Finnegan TKO (punches) Cage Rage: Lafayette March 22, 2008 1 0:53 Lafayette, Indiana, United States
Win 1–0 Joe Bryant TKO (punches) Cage Rage: Lafayette March 22, 2008 1 0:23 Lafayette, Indiana, United States

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Mixed martial arts show results Date: July 5, 2014
  2. ^ "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Dillashaw vs. Barao 2". UFC.com. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  3. ^ "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Gustafsson vs. Johnson". UFC.com. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Kenny Robertson - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  5. ^ http://www.pjstar.com/sports/20160915/metamora-grad-kenny-robertson-on-undercard-for-ufc-fight-night-hidalgo
  6. ^ "Unbeaten newcomers Pascal Krauss and Kenny Robertson targeted for UFC 122". mmajunkie.com. September 10, 2010. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  7. ^ "Report: British fighter Mark Scanlon replaces injured Kenny Robertson at UFC 122". mmajunkie.com. October 13, 2010.
  8. ^ "Mike Pierce vs Kenny Robertson expected for UFC 126 in February". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2010. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  9. ^ "UFC on FUEL TV 4: Aaron Simpson vs Kenny Robertson fight booked with Jon Fitch hurt". mmamania.com. 5 June 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  10. ^ "Brock Jardine faces Kenny Robertson at UFC 157". themmareport.com. December 22, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  11. ^ Jesse Denis (February 27, 2013). "The Ten Most Remarkable Submissions in MMA - Kenny Robertson's Modified Kneebar on Brock Jardine". fightline.com. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  12. ^ Staff (2013-05-02). "TJ Waldburger Out, UFC 161 Match-up Now Pits Sean Pierson vs. Kenny Robertson". Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos. MMAweekly.com. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
  13. ^ Staff (2013-07-22). "Robertson vs. Zeferino added to UFC Fight Night 28". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2013-07-25. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
  14. ^ Staff (2013-08-09). "Kenny Robertson out, Elias Silverio in vs. Joao Zeferino at UFC Fight Night 28". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-08-09.
  15. ^ Robert Riley (2014-01-20). "UFC adds two additional fights to UFC Fight Night 38". thefightlounge.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
  16. ^ Steven Marrocco (2014-03-23). "UFC Fight Night 38 results: Kenny Robertson chokes out Thiago Perpetuo in short order". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  17. ^ Matt Erickson (23 May 2014). "Zak Cummings meets Kenny Robertson at UFC Fight Night 45". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
  18. ^ Staff (2014-05-28). "Gunnar Nelson now fights Zak Cummings at UFC Fight Night 46 in Dublin". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
  19. ^ Dana Becker (2014-06-09). "UFC 175 Update: Kenny Robertson tabbed to face Ildemar Alcantara". fightline.com. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
  20. ^ Staff (2014-11-14). "Kenny Robertson meets newcomer Sultan Aliev at UFC on FOX 14 in Sweden". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-11-14.
  21. ^ Staff (2015-01-24). "UFC on FOX 14 bonuses: Who joined 'Rumble' Johnson in getting $50,000 richer?". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  22. ^ C.J. Tuttle (2015-02-04). "UFC on Fox 15 update: Kenny Robertson to face George Sullivan on April 18". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2015-02-04.
  23. ^ Staff (2015-03-24). "Tim Means steps in for Kenny Robertson, meets George Sullivan at UFC on FOX 15". mmajunkie.com.
  24. ^ Staff (2015-05-08). "Kenny Robertson vs. Ben Saunders booked for UFC on FOX 16". themmareport.com. Retrieved 2015-05-08.
  25. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2015-07-25). "UFC on FOX 16 results: Ben Saunders uses big, bloody third to edge Kenny Robertson". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  26. ^ Tristen Critchfield (2016-07-20). "Roan Carneiro vs. Kenny Robertson set for UFC Fight Night in Hidalgo". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-07-20.
  27. ^ Michael Stets (2016-09-17). "UFC Fight Night 94 results: Roan Carneiro splits Kenny Robertson in Hidalgo". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
  28. ^ Bryan Henderson (March 24, 2021). "Out of Obscurity: Babilon MMA 20, Titan FC 68 and LFA 103". combatpress.com.
  29. ^ Freeman, Nate (30 July 2021). "XMMA 2 Results - Saunders vs. Nijem". Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  30. ^ Mindenhall, Chuck (19 September 2018). "The first man to hit a Suloev Stretch in a UFC fight, Kenny Robertson, reflects on ripping hammies". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  31. ^ Gruber, Ted (14 September 2018). "KENNY ROBERTSON: ENJOYING THE RIDE". UFC. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  32. ^ "UFC on FOX 14 bonuses: Who joined 'Rumble' Johnson in getting $50,000 richer?". MMAjunkie.com. January 24, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  33. ^ "UFC 157 bonuses: Lawler, Robertson, Bermudez, Grice earn $50K awards". MMAjunkie.com. February 24, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  34. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (June 20, 2013). "2013 Unofficial Half-Year Awards - The Submissions". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  35. ^ "Before This Weekend, There Was Only One Suloev Stretch Kneebar in UFC History...Now, There Are Three".

External links edit