Brian Kelleher fears for his job ahead of UFC Vegas 94: "My literal life feels like it is on the line"
Brian Kelleher is all set to return to the octagon at UFC Vegas 94. Kelleher is scheduled to face Cody Gibson in a bantamweight bout at the event, which will transpire at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, on July 20, 2024.
Kelleher made his professional MMA debut in March 2011, and his maiden UFC fight took place in June 2017. 'Boom' has been a part of the UFC roster ever since. He's lately faced multiple setbacks. For the very first time in his UFC run, he's on a three-fight losing streak. The 135-pounder has suffered three consecutive first-round stoppage defeats, two by submission and one via KO.
Speaking to Just Scrap Radio for BJPenn.com, Kelleher recently alluded that his opponent Cody Gibson is on a two-fight losing streak, having suffered two back-to-back unanimous decision defeats. He believes they're both fighting to keep their UFC jobs, which is a strong motivator to fight well.
Additionally, he referenced the knockout loss he suffered at the hands of former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt last December.
Kelleher indicated that he received adequate time to recover and thought he'd be booked to return sooner. However, he added that the July 20 date is feasible for him. 'Boom' recalled his April 2023 booking against Journey Newson, which he withdrew from due to neck injury issues. He felt that matchup counted and that the Garbrandt fight was the final one of his UFC contract.
Regardless, Kelleher fights Gibson at UFC Vegas 94, marking the final fight of his UFC contract. The 37-year-old suggested that his 36-year-old opponent is a long fighter for their weight class. Moreover, since he's lost a few fights via submission, he foresees Gibson attempting to take down and submit him. He highlighted that getting inside and landing power strikes could help him beat 'The Renegade.'
Kelleher visualizes hurting Gibson with his power and capitalizing on any opportunity that presents itself. 'Boom' stated:
"This fight will be back-and-forth grinding type of fight. I know his last fight against Miles Johns he was disappointed in it. For me, this is my life, I don't know what I would do besides fighting. My literal life feels like it is on the line and I will fight like that." [H/T BJPenn.com for quotes]
Check out Kelleher's comments below (9:39):
Brian Kelleher eyes major events after UFC Vegas 94
The Brian Kelleher vs. Cody Gibson bantamweight showdown has been slotted in the preliminary portion of the UFC Vegas 94 fight card. Women's strawweight contenders Amanda Lemos and Virna Jandiroba clash in the headlining match of the UFC Vegas 94 event. The co-headlining match is a showdown between middleweights Brad Tavares and Junyong Park.
Kelleher implied that his primary objective is to defeat Cody Gibson and secure his job in the UFC. Furthermore, he underscored that it'd bring him a clean slate and a new contract with the promotion. The UFC staple seemed to suggest that he could compete for another two to three years at the highest levels.
Aiming for a victory, ideally a stoppage, at UFC Vegas 94, Kelleher signaled that he'd then campaign for a fight at Riyadh Season Noche UFC (UFC 306) in September or the UFC's annual MSG (Madison Square Garden) card in November.