UFC bantamweight Casey Kenney has found himself in hot water after an alleged kidnapping incident on July 21. Phoenix Police arrested the 33-year-old fighter on Friday, charging him with two felonies: one for kidnapping and one for aggravated assault (strangulation). Additionally, Kenney faces four misdemeanors, including three for assault and one for disorderly conduct.
Court Appearance and Charges
Kenney made his initial court appearance on Saturday and is scheduled to return to Maricopa County court on Thursday for a status conference. A preliminary hearing is also set for Monday. The Phoenix Police Department issued a statement indicating that officers responded to a domestic violence call on July 22, where they found an adult female victim with visible injuries from a reported domestic violence assault.
According to a statement of probable cause provided by MMA Fighting, Kenney allegedly subjected the woman to a brutal assault over a 13-hour period, involving physical violence such as striking, slapping, biting, head-butting, and choking. The victim was reportedly not allowed to leave Kenney’s residence, and he even went as far as threatening her and anyone who tried to help her.
Once regarded as a rising star in the UFC’s bantamweight division, Kenney’s career has taken a severe hit following these disturbing allegations. He competed in the promotion eight times between 2019 and 2021 and also appeared on Dana White’s Contender Series twice in 2017. However, Kenney has not stepped into the Octagon since suffering a loss to Song Yadong in August 2021.
Final Thoughts
This unfortunate turn of events has not only tarnished Casey Kenney’s reputation as a professional athlete but also raised serious questions about his character and behavior outside of the cage. The UFC and the MMA community at large will undoubtedly be following this case closely as it unfolds, with the hope that justice will be served for the victim and that proper consequences will be handed down to Kenney if he is found guilty of these heinous crimes.