Things weren’t looking great for Jack Kennedy after three minutes with Jeremy Payet, but the Englishman showed great heart over the final two rounds, battling back for a decision win.
The 66-kilogram contest served as the main event of Sunday’s Muay Thai Grand Prix event, which streamed live on UFC Fight Pass from the Bataclan in Paris.
The first round started quickly from both men, but as the frame unfolded, it was Payet who started to find the mark. The left hand proved his best weapon, landing clean on several occasions, though the right hand was just as effective in spots. Kennedy was content to engage, but the traffic was rather one-sided, and his bloodied nose made it clear who was leading.
Kennedy pressed forward in the second, trying to seize some momentum, but Payet was clearly the more effective striker from range. Kennedy eventually moved inside, landing several big knees in the clinch to create his first real offense of the contest. Payet did his best to work from range, but Kennedy was dogged in his efforts to move forward and encourage a gritty affair.
Kennedy kept walking forward in the third, but Payet did a better job of keeping away at the start and delivering powerful punches up the middle. Kennedy’s eyes were quickly closing due to swelling caused from earlier damage, but he would not be denied his preferred positioning, driving into the clinch and delivering big knees to the body. Unable to let his hands go, Payet visibly wilted in the face of the bodywork.
The night’s co-main event featured a tightly contested battle at 70 kilograms with a pair of fighters with vastly different approaches in the ring, but Omar Samb ultimately took home a victory over Richard Kpadonou.
The opening round was a spirited affair, with Kpadonou starting quickly with a sweep but Samb quickly battling back and controlling his foe in the clinch, throwing him to the floor on several occasions and stymieing his striking opportunities. The quick work continued in the second, with both men looking to pick up the pace with their punches, not to mention several traded knees inside. The round was cut one minute short due to an apparent timekeeping issue, but the action was high during the time they were competing.
Samb again opened with clinchwork in the third, and for good reason, with Kpadonou showing real power in his hands when offered space to strike. Samb got a little wild in the closing seconds, and Kpadonou’s frustration was evident. In the end, Samb took the narrow nod via split decision.
Sunday’s Muay Thai Grand Prix results include:
- Jack Kennedy def. Jeremy Payet via unanimous decision
- Omar Samb def. Richard Kpadonou via split decision
- Mikael Benetar def. Mamadou Traore via unanimous decision
- Jeremy Monteiro def. Yannis El Hajaoui via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 2:39
- Ibrahima Camara def. Nicolas Bachir via unanimous decision
- Achille Robinet def. Walid Djenane via TKO (retirement) – Round 2, 3:00