Kenny Robertson
Kenneth Duane Robertson (born February 14, 1984) is a once retired American mixed martial artist. A professional from 2008 until 2016, he competed for the UFC and Bellator. He is returning for his first fight back in early 2020.
Kenny Robertson | |
---|---|
Born | East Peoria, Illinois, United States | February 14, 1984
Nationality | American |
Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1] |
Weight | 170.5 lb (77.3 kg; 12.18 st) |
Division | Welterweight |
Reach | 74.0 in (188 cm)[2] |
Fighting out of | Spring Bay, Illinois, United States |
Team | Team Robertson Central Illinois Combat Club |
Wrestling | NCAA Division I Wrestling[3] |
Years active | 2008-2016 |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 20 |
Wins | 15 |
By knockout | 7 |
By submission | 6 |
By decision | 2 |
Losses | 5 |
By knockout | 1 |
By decision | 4 |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
Before MMA
In high school he wrestled for Metamora Township High School.[4] Robertson excelled in wrestling, where he was a three time NCAA Division I qualifier[3] 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
Early career
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
Robertson was expected to make his UFC debut against fellow unbeaten fighter, Pascal Krauss on November 13, 2010, at UFC 122.[5] However, Robertson was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Mark Scanlon.[6]
Robertson eventually made his UFC debut on February 5, 2011 at UFC 126, losing to Mike Pierce via TKO in the second round.[7] Following the loss, Robertson was released from the promotion.
Post-UFC
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
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.[8] He lost the fight via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).
Robertson defeated Brock Jardine on February 23, 2013, at UFC 157.[9] 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.[10]
Robertson faced Sean Pierson on June 15, 2013 at UFC 161.[11] Pierson defeated Robertson via majority decision.
Robertson was expected to face Joao Zeferino on September 4, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 28.[12] However, Robertson pulled out of the bout citing and injury and was replaced by UFC newcomer Elias Silverio.[13]
Robertson faced Thiago Perpétuo on March 23, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 38.[14] He won the fight via submission in the first round.[15]
Robertson was briefly linked to a bout with Zak Cummings on July 16, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 45.[16] 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.[17] Subsequently, Robertson eventually faced Ildemar Alcântara on July 5, 2014 at UFC 175.[18] He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Robertson faced Sultan Aliev on January 24, 2015 at UFC on Fox 14.[19] He won the fight via knockout in the first round. The win also earned Robertson his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[20]
Robertson was expected to face George Sullivan on April 18, 2015 at UFC on Fox 15.[21] However, Robertson pulled out of the bout citing injury and was replaced by Tim Means.[22]
Robertson next faced Ben Saunders on July 25, 2015 at UFC on Fox 16.[23] He lost the back-and-forth fight by split decision.[24]
Robertson faced Roan Carneiro on September 17, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 94.[25] He lost the fight via split decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.[26]
Personal life
Now that his career in fighting has ended he has become a teacher at Eureka High School in Eureka, Illinois, teaching industrial arts.
Championships and achievements
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (One time)
- Submission of the Night (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown | ||
20 matches | 15 wins | 5 losses |
By knockout | 4 | 1 |
By submission | 9 | 0 |
By decision | 2 | 4 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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)[27] | 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 |
References
- "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Dillashaw vs. Barao 2". UFC.com. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
- "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Gustafsson vs. Johnson". UFC.com. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
- "Kenny Robertson - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
- http://www.pjstar.com/sports/20160915/metamora-grad-kenny-robertson-on-undercard-for-ufc-fight-night-hidalgo
- "Unbeaten newcomers Pascal Krauss and Kenny Robertson targeted for UFC 122". mmajunkie.com. September 10, 2010.
- "Report: British fighter Mark Scanlon replaces injured Kenny Robertson at UFC 122". mmajunkie.com. October 13, 2010.
- "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.
- "UFC on FUEL TV 4: Aaron Simpson vs Kenny Robertson fight booked with Jon Fitch hurt". mmamania.com. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
- "Brock Jardine faces Kenny Robertson at UFC 157". themmareport.com. December 22, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
- 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.
- Staff (2013-05-02). "TJ Waldburger Out, UFC 161 Match-up Now Pits Sean Pierson vs. Kenny Robertson". MMAweekly.com. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
- 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.
- Staff (2013-08-09). "Kenny Robertson out, Elias Silverio in vs. Joao Zeferino at UFC Fight Night 28". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-08-09.
- Robert Riley (2014-01-20). "UFC adds two additional fights to UFC Fight Night 38". thefightlounge.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
- 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.
- Matt Erickson. "Zak Cummings meets Kenny Robertson at UFC Fight Night 45". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
- Staff (2014-05-28). "Gunnar Nelson now fights Zak Cummings at UFC Fight Night 46 in Dublin". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
- Dana Becker (2014-06-09). "UFC 175 Update: Kenny Robertson tabbed to face Ildemar Alcantara". fightline.com. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
- Staff (2014-11-14). "Kenny Robertson meets newcomer Sultan Aliev at UFC on FOX 14 in Sweden". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-11-14.
- Staff (2015-01-24). "UFC on FOX 14 bonuses: Who joined 'Rumble' Johnson in getting $50,000 richer?". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
- 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.
- Staff (2015-03-24). "Tim Means steps in for Kenny Robertson, meets George Sullivan at UFC on FOX 15". mmajunkie.com.
- Staff (2015-05-08). "Kenny Robertson vs. Ben Saunders booked for UFC on FOX 16". themmareport.com. Retrieved 2015-05-08.
- 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.
- Tristen Critchfield (2016-07-20). "Roan Carneiro vs. Kenny Robertson set for UFC Fight Night in Hidalgo". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-07-20.
- Michael Stets (2016-09-17). "UFC Fight Night 94 results: Roan Carneiro splits Kenny Robertson in Hidalgo". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
- https://www.barstoolsports.com/boston/before-this-weekend-there-was-only-one-suloev-stretch-kneebar-in-ufc-history-now-there-are-three