“Coming off a win is always good; I have momentum behind me, so I feel good about that,” Kelleher said. “Being back at bantamweight, cutting weight sucks, I never like it, but, at the same time, it’s like the fight before the fight. If you get through it, you kind of revive yourself and get back to your normal self. It feels more normal because I’ve done it my whole career.”
His new opponent, Kevin Croom, steps into the Octagon for only the third time in his career. Since joining the UFC in 2020, Croom has recorded one no contest and one defeat, against Roosevelt Roberts and Alex Caceres, respectively.
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So, UFC experience is a factor that could be on Kelleher’s side come Saturday night.
“I’ve had a lot of experience, not only in MMA, but in the UFC. Being here, the bright lights, everything, you feel that stuff but, for me, it’s normal, natural and just another day at the office, another fight.”
Since making his debut back in 2017 against Marlon “Chito” Vera, Kelleher has had a mixed bag of results, racking up a 6-5 record. He has faced a variety of talent in the past couple years and heading into this weekend he just wants to be fearless and be the veteran that he is.
