Kenny Mokhonoana – “Expect a Big Upset”
Hosting many of the most talented fighters in the world today, SBG Ireland is ready to let loose the reigns on one of those fighters set to compete at the Road to Dubai Champions Series in January 2025. This fighter is an Irish powerhouse known as the “Black Diamond.” The world is about to fully know Kenny Mokhonoana.
Finding MMA
Like many fighters, the UFC played a huge role in Mokhonoana finding MMA. “I just started watching UFC around the time Chael (Sonnen) fought Anderson Silva. A couple of years later, my older brother Frans Mlambo, started bringing home amateur belts and it gave me confidence to try it,” Mokhonoana told MYMMANEWS. “By the time I started to gain interest in training, Frans had won IMMAF world championships and was in big camps with Conor McGregor. It showed me it’s possible to make a career out of this and the rest is history!”
Amateur Run
Beginning his amateur career in 2015, Mokhonoana would win his debut via unanimous decision in August 2015. Continuing on through 2016, where he learned from a few losses, Mokhonoana would go on to win the Cage Ring Championship Lightweight title in September 2017. Swiping up championships in regional shows across the country, Mokhonoana would make his final amateur appearance on March 7, 2020, earning the Cage Conflict Lightweight Championship via second-round submission.
SBG Ireland
Much of Mokhonoana’s success has come to the guiding hands of SBG Ireland and the team within. “I’m very fortunate to be able to train in SBG Ireland. I believe it’s the biggest gym in Europe with world-class setup and has lots of professional fighters that fight at the highest level,” stated Mokhonoana. He also had a list of people who make his dream a reality. “Coaches Dave Roche and John Kavanagh, along with my girlfriend. She supports me through these camps so I can train full-time, maintain a car, eat healthy, pay bills, etc. I give credit to myself also for putting in the work these past 13 years,” said Mokhonoana.
Professional Run
June 5, 2021, would see the professional debut of Mokhonoana as we earned a second-round submission at Clan Wars 4o. After bouts in Cage Conflict and UAE Warriors, Mokhonoana would get the call to the big lights of Bellator. On home turf in Ireland, Mokhonoana would earn a first-round submission win at Bellator 285 against rising star Alex Bodnar. Earning another first-round finish, this time by ground and pound, at Bellator 291. Seven months later, at Bellator 299, Mokhonoana would suffer the first loss of his professional career by heart-breaking decision to undefeated opponent, Josh O’Connor.
Mokhonoana is set to face another undefeated foe, this time in the form of Ibragim Ibragimov at Road to Dubai Champions Series in January 2025. “Expect a big upset. My coaches and I have a realistic expectation of how the fight will look. Expect the referee to be pulling me off of him in a high-pace fight,” stated Mokhonoana.
Ready to return to his winning ways in 2025, look for Mokhonoana to earn a huge finish in Dubai and continue to shine bright on the path of a strong Bellator run.
