Team Herald
PANJIM: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Kerensky Fernandes readies for her next challenge in the circuit – a bout with Robyn Dunne of Canada on Saturday.
Kerensky, who hails from Cansaulim, won her amateur debut against Alice Blackman of England last year.
The 23-year-old based in London is training under Great Britain Top Team (GBTT) and is giving it her all to carve a niche for herself in the fiercely competitive world of MMA.
Kerensky, 5’1”, will fight 37-year-old Dunne of the same height at the Winsport Event Centre, Calgary with three GBTT fighters set to display their wares.
“I feel good and excited. Excitement right now is just an understatement. Words can’t describe how I feel,” she said.
“I’ve flown down to Canada for my very second amateur fight which is a huge opportunity. I am away from family all prepped….”
Kerensky can feel the adrenaline flowing. She’s had a camp of 12 weeks, putting in the extra work and hours into it.
“I can’t wait to showcase my skills out there,” she said on the eve of her battle with Dunne.
Training under British head coach Brad Pickett, Kerensky’s 1-0 amateur record outdoes Dunne’s who lost on debut.
She signed up for Pallas Athena Women’s Fighting Championship (PAWFC) in the MMA circuit with a focus to go the distance in the professional sphere.
Kerensky took to the sport with an eye on fitness but has impressed from the start. Being a former British National Weightlifting Champion, she rode on the gains accruing from the discipline.
After foraying into Muay Thai and wrestling separately, Kerensky realized that MMA is her true calling.
Being tough as nails is one thing. Kerensky realized that her skills and ability need to cross disciplines as well. So it’s not all muscle and power. It’s prowess in terms of guile, stamina and fitness and any let up in one set could mean disaster.
Flashback to last November: Kerensky made her amateur debut a winning one. She got the better of Alice Blackman in the 115 lbs category to win the Olympus Fight Series 2 via TKO stoppage in the second round.
Now signing with PAWFC, Kerensky looks to continue her impressive start with a win over the Dunne who is 1-1 as an amateur.
By all accounts and impressions, Kerensky is cool and composed even in the frenetic world of MMA. She’s stylish in approach and attempts to do things differently.
The Goan-born fighter also has an eye on entertainment and that potentially should endear her to fans.
“I am working hard to be an undisputed, undefeated champion of the world. And also to be the most entertaining female fighter ever known in the industry,” she said.
Kerensky’s got her feet firmly on the canvas, for sure. After all, Saturday’s fight is crucial for her fledgling career to take direction.