LAS VEGAS – Kai Kamaka III beat Tony Kelley with a unanimous decision Saturday to open the preliminary card at UFC 252 in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Kamaka, who won his UFC debut and picked up his sixth consecutive victory.
Result: Kai Kamaka III def. Tony Kelley via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Kamaka III (8-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Kelley (5-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Key stat: The striking battle was razor thin: Kamaka edged Kelley just 138-136. But Kamaka’s five takedowns made a big difference.
Kamaka on the fight’s key moment
“I just had to not let him back me up in that third round – that’s it. I knew if I stuck my feet on the ground, he couldn’t figure out my timing. When I was backing up, that’s when he was on the gas, but if I don’t back up, it’s hard to figure out my jab, it’s hard to figure out my timings.”
Kamaka on making it to the UFC
“I’m just relieved to be here – I know I belong. It was perfect, but everybody (saw) that I belong here. Now I just have to step up my game more and everything. It’s good to be here. It’s good to finally be here. I’m relieved that I’m here. I’m not working to get here – I’m not working to move up the ladder.”
Kamaka on what he wants next
“I’m going to go to my grandma’s house (and) lay back. (I) can’t wait to get home to my kids. But the way I’m celebrating is, my wife is going to give birth in a month – my first boy. That’ll be a relief, and I can take a step back.”
To hear more from Kamaka, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
Kai Kamaka ready to relax after making it to UFC ahead of first son's birth