Kennedy Freeman could well be looking at the UFC by the end of the year but for now, she is focussed on the Cage Warriors title.
'The Machine 2.0' pulled on the famous yellow gloves for the first time last year when she stopped Annabruna Rados in the first round at Cage Warriors 164.
Following her third round finish, she spoke to Fight & Talk. Whilst in the clinch in the second round, Libanio went down and suggested she had been caught below the belt. Discussing the matter, Freeman admitted she didn't know where she had caught her opponent but knew she was hurt. she said;
'I didn't know where I had hit her. I heard her call that she'd been hit (low) and if I called I had been hit (low) I would expect my opponent to respect that and give me some time so I gave her some time. Then, the longer she was on the floor, I was thinking 'She might not get back up here' and that's when I knew I had hurt her. Whether it was the knee or whatever I think she realised it was a lot harder fight than she thought it was going to be."
Entering the third round, it was largely believed that it was 1-1 on the scorecards. Libanio came forward from the first bell and tried to entice Freeman into a brawl. However, the North East native was savvy to it and made sure she stuck to her plan.
"I knew she was making me try to gas myself out or make me throw something stupid so she could get the takedown. The crowd were going mental but I wasn't letting it get to my head and I knew that one of them shots would land and I was just taking my time. Cool, composed, collected."
As arguably one of the biggest names in women's European MMA, Freeman has revceived countless offers but is happy at Cage Warriors as she looks for her first major title.
"I am just taking my time. I have not been back MMA, for like a year. I think it's a year this month I've been back training MMA so I am taking my time. I've had big offers and I have turned them down because I am happy at Cage Warriors at the minute, whether that is a title fight or another fight or whatever. I am happy now just getting some experience and the bigger shows will come when I am ready for them"
Watch the full interview:
