Keith Keogh Vs Damien McKenna | Cage Warriors 194 Dublin Fight | Energized's "The Face Off"

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What is up and welcome to Energized's "The Face Off" Show! On this episode Keith Keogh (CMAC MMA) & Damien McKenna (OMMA MMA) join us to discuss the Countdown to their Cage Warriors 194 Featherweight Fight on Saturday the 27th of September in the RDS Dublin & Live on UFC Fight…

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Diana. >> Okay, here we go. >> It's time. >> Okay. What's going on, guys? And welcome to a brand new episode of Energized, The Face Off, brought to you by Orings Competitions. Russ, >> are you intoxicated or something? Introduce the guest, man. Today we have a couple of undefeated Irish featherweights. We have Keith Kio and Damian McKenna. They will square off September 27th live from the RDS at Cage Wires 194. It's going to be an unreal event. Make sure to get on to the lads, get in their links for their tickets straight away. Keith, tell us this. What went through your mind when you were told you're going to be fighting Damian McKenna, a second Irishman in a row at Cage Warriors Dublin? >> Yeah, like just honestly got got off the got over Damian obviously like listening like we know each other very well stuff like that. But got the name was just just another name was like yeah lovely like let's do it. Like it's listen you're in this game. It's a fight game. It's like I know Damian obviously very well but it's it's it's the fight game. Like you're in here. You're trying to fight the best people. So whatever names going to get offered they going to be like yeah let's [ __ ] do it. So we got over the name signed it lovely let's [ __ ] let's do it you know. >> Yeah and of course uh Damian you sort of called that this was going to happen. You you sort of said that you you know you you racked up a couple of wins on the domestic scene and said Cage Warriors is next. Tell us this. Did you expect to be fighting another Irishman on the night when when when the Cage Warriors call came? >> No. usually maybe another person but maybe not somebody maybe someone like one and0 somebody with from a different country with maybe two and one 2 and 0 whatever I know he's 2 and0 but we know the level that he's at too but no Ian Dean basically said here we'd like to have you on but there's a lot of [ __ ] there's a lot of Irish people on this is like really the best Irish featherweight division has been as well so it was basically Ke was the main name that was said and I said here that's great like Ke has a lot of attention which is welld deserved as Well, we know how good he is. But when I winning this fight will be just set me up even let me skip a few fights basically cuz it was probably going to happen anime at some point. So it's perfect for me. >> Fairly when when this fight was announced myself and Ross were saying this is the people's main event like uh what sort of feedback have you gotten from ever since this fight was announced and like do you think it is the people's main event? Keto I'll ask you first. But yeah, like it's because it's it's such a we're two prospects like you know what I mean? So I don't know if there's any well except for like obviously Jamie and stuff like that. I think we got big ticket sellers and stuff like that. And I think because obviously there's [ __ ] millions of blading fellows as well like there's it is the most active I think by far especially in Ireland. I was [ __ ] we're trying to even count it up the other day. I think there's like blading 12 14 maybe even up to 15 fts and then obviously we're we're fighting each other you know what I mean? I think obviously we both sell a few tickets and stuff like that. So I suppose I sell the tickets. It's the people's main event cuz Pier five I probably sell the most tickets. You know what I mean? Um so but the people are going to see us I suppose. Um but yeah it it probably will be to be fair other than probably uh yeah match fail but you know it's it's just [ __ ] it's not a fight like you know what I mean whether uh but in general the people obviously don't want to say like you know. >> Yeah. What about yourself, Damian? >> I can see why that's like again it's good to see Irish fighting Irish. Um, obviously someone has got to go, but if people are coming to watch me and I'm fighting some whatever Spanish guy, someone's coming to watch Keith and he's fighting some random guy like it's only half the attention really like it's just that buzz basically is kind of like Dublin versus even like throwing like it's just a bit more of a buzz whenever you poke when people are invested in both fighters. Like obviously most of Ireland have seen me and Keith come up as amateurs. Like I can see why there's a lot more buzz around it. It's good to see Irish fighting the Irish as well. >> Ross Ross, what do you make of this fight as well once it was announced? >> Yeah. Well, like to me I I was really really excited. Obviously two Uber prospects come coming out of Ireland. Like we all saw what happened when Keith got the win over Joe last time. Like the place erupted. We've seen the scenes up in HMA when uh Damian's got big wins. like the the crowd and the following that he has there is absolutely massive. So I expect massive numbers coming uh coming down uh for with Damon and I expect uh D15 to be emptied out for Keith come fight night. I think it's going to be absolutely uh I think all eyes are going to be on this this is what brings like the casuals to uh to the cage and this this going to have uh all the gyms interested in this one. So I'm absolutely bugging for it. But obviously you guys have uh some form of relationship before this. So Keith, when was the first time uh you met Damian? Um did you ever think that this this was going to happen when you first met him? >> Yeah. Like listen, I think it's a small scene, isn't it? Like >> it's a small saying and the most active vision. So like it could potentially [ __ ] anybody. I can't even remember. Like that's that's it. Like every show [ __ ] every weekend like nearly with everybody. And I kind of touched on this in the run of the interview. It'll be nearly three years to the day in the iming group and be both the same guy. But so we never caught each other but um we would have met in the group that day like I remember even his outlet and all been like like a like listen it be great if you spoke at going to fight each other and it would have been great but we didn't get to do but it'll be as I said it'll but yeah three years till the weekend so we get to [ __ ] we get to do it now like you know what I mean but yeah at the end of the day like listen there's no [ __ ] mist if you're going into these games emotional you're in the wrong game this this game is just [ __ ] it's a hard it's tough you have to go in you have to be who's in front of you and that's the plan you know what I mean So listen, we'll shake hands for I'm sure not no hassle. We'll go in, we'll fight, and then we'll more likely have a point after. So that's the way I see it. Like any fight, like I never like a fight for me, like this is me. This is the business for me. I'm I'm gone to the UFC, you know what I mean? That's the way I've seen. I've always seen it like that. So I have to just win and be whoever's across the cage for me. Like that's that's always plan no matter how it is. Obviously, at the end of the day, it's not going to be nice, you know what I mean? Because I'm going to take a dub from from another Irish guy, another guy that I like. But it's this is this the business. This the game. But yeah, like in regards to when we met with all we [ __ ] met like bleeding hund times. So yeah, >> David, do you do you remember the first time you laid eyes on Kiko? >> I don't remember the first time we ever locked eyes. Um it's probably weird. It's actually stranger probably that we haven't fought yet between like probably two of the most fights in Ireland at amateur as well. Like between us pro 20 fights each roughly I would say. So, it's probably weirder that we never actually came across each other at amateur, but it's good now it's happening now. And no, I don't remember the first time we locked eyes, to be honest. >> Russ, do you remember the first time we locked eyes? >> Yeah, man. It it was a it was a cold day in September. >> I said I don't like that guy, but I might start a podcast with him in a few years. >> Look where we are now, man. The people's main event on the show. >> Love it. Love it. Uh Keith, obviously I'm not going to ask you, you know, about anything negative about Damon. I want to know what do you admire about his game and what what do you look at his game that could be a danger for you? >> Yeah, like he's he's decent every like he's decent. Like he's allrounded like you know what I mean? Like Damian's good he's a good guy like you know I mean don't get me wrong he's a good guy like he's he's wellrounded. Um he's decent but I just I find I just think I'm going to be better everywhere. You know what I mean? I just know that like that's not even just even from a cocky standpoint. That's just confidence. He is good. I just find I'm like the best. Do you know what I mean? And it's really not being cocky. I just find that's that's just where I am. I'm at I'm at that level that I'm just that one step ahead. But no, don't get me wrong. Like I really respect Damian, really respect his gym, really respect Jerry, the whole lot. But yeah, I just I just think I'm better everywhere to be honest. But no, honestly, he's wellrounded guy. I think like you're in cage now, leg, you're not going to get people that's not wellrounded. Do you know what I mean? Like when I was taking this contract, it's like you're going to fight anybody and everybody and I'm here fight Damian. Of course, he's a well-rounded guy, but I just feel like I'm better. >> Damian, you're not going to agree with that. That Ke's better everywhere. Are you? >> No, I give like I give Keith a lot of respect. I know how good he is. Definitely how big of a challenge it is. Again, both our gyms have a good relationship. I have good relationship with him, Alex, Jordan, everyone. But still, I just think this is a great match up for me. I know it's not easy whatsoever. I've been working busting myself every day for the last nine weeks, whatever it's been. But I think I'm a guy to beat him. Um I actually think he is undefeated across amateur and pro even with that one loss. But I think stylistically I'm going to be the one to win. >> Tell tell us this cuz uh judging from both your physiques like you both look in the best shape of your life. You both look in the best shape of your career. Do you do you feel like obviously you're young in your pro game that you've both really turned it up a notch uh since turning pro? We'll start with yourself Keith. >> Yeah, of course. Like obviously I think physique wise like the the biggest thing is like I suppose like it it doesn't matter as much but like I've really been walking towards being athletic. Obviously touch on this so much like with Gaziki like you know what I mean? He's turning me into a [ __ ] an animal. Like I'm so much more athletic and physically better now than I was at an amateur. So, it's something I never even touched on. Like, I was [ __ ] like, you know, I used to be eating bleed and chippers and all the be fine. Now, I'm just like I'm an athlete. You know, I'm a fighter. Like, I did like I did, but I'm I'm an athlete. Like, you know what I mean? I'm I I was I was always a fighter. Like, you know what I mean? Some people I look at and they fight. There's a difference between a fighter and people who fight. I'm a fighter. Like, I get in there, I'm a [ __ ] dog. Like, I love being in there fighting. But now that I have the athleticism to do that, I'm I'm absolutely at stepping up a notch. And I probably did it coming towards the end of me amateur career. Um anyway, the last IMAS before Albania and then I had Sam Lynch and stuff like that. I was working my Gaz done that the whole of last year and the whole of this year obviously as well. So like half of 2023 all 2024. So two years two years I've been really working on the athleticism obviously added Nate on board then as well from a nutritional standpoint. So obviously like this is this is I've always looked like like listen to me training has always been I'm training six days a week, seven days a week like I don't think I've had a day off like you know what I mean? So now it's just adding it in with the strength and conditioning, adding me nutrition in, adding everything else in, the bit that has to be to give you the the bit that has to make you the best in the world. And I think I've added that in like over the last two years like absolutely like superb. >> What about yourself, Damian? Has you really felt that intensity kick up and those minute details have like really matter now that you're in the pro game? Yeah, like I would say from a strength and conditioning standpoint, my whole kind of career I've had a huge focus on that where the difference me now in the last year or two is being very technically focused. So I've always sm like some of my camps as an amateur would just be focused on just working as hard as you can just smashing uh and maybe not so much like proper technique focus as it should be. So that's probably like where I'm finding the minute details now just being obsessed with details. like I'm still working as hard for sure, but I'm also just like a big like game plan, big technique focus as well rather than just grafting for no reason. A bit more directed. >> No, that that that's that's totally fair. Uh obviously, you know, we have dubbed you guys as the people's main event, but a lot of people will agree with that. Um I want to look at this card uh as a whole. Tell tell us, Keith, one fight you're looking at on this card that you're looking forward to outside your own. You might not be watching on the night because you'll be concentrating your own but one that you you definitely want to see. Maybe you'll watch it back. >> Yeah, of course. Like obviously like listen the two lads at the gym now. Obviously Joe is with us now. I'm looking forward to his fight. He has a good guy as well. So I'm really looking forward to that. and Trev obviously big [ __ ] Trev and Norbert like that's gonna be that's that's the fight obviously that's obviously bias of course but when I'm seeing the work that Trevor's put in he's going to absolutely put on a clinic to be fair as well and he's fighting a good guy as well in Norwood but like obviously Travis that step ahead so I just can't wait to see [ __ ] one of me own teammates one of [ __ ] one of me good best mates could go out there and [ __ ] smash this fell as well so like I'm really looking forward to that fight and then obviously like apart from that um I don't know I suppose cuz I think at the main event it'll be Paul and and your man Tariq like they're about at that level. So um and obviously S chambers a few times. So apart from obviously me own gyms fighters I'm looking forward to that. Obviously the main event will be able to chill out at that stage and all and get a bit of grub and stuff like that. So I think I'll I'm looking forward to that as well. The whole car look I'm invested in most of the fights like to be fair you know everybody like you know what I mean. So everybody that I know I'm I'm looking at um and saying I want them to do well and stuff. So yeah, I'm looking looking forward to the whole car to be fair. >> And what about yourself, Damian? Uh, which one are you looking forward to outside your own? >> I'm bad to be honest. I probably only know like a few fights on the card. I haven't really been paying attention of all the people that are fighting on it, but definitely saw I would say um I kind of wish they put more push on it like having it announced and stuff that it was main event already and kind of put everything into that. But then again, I'd love to see it for the belt. Like to be honest, that would be amazing. Obviously, they don't know what probably is going on with Harry Hardwood, you'd assume he's going to get another run in the UFC, but in an ideal world, that would have been main event and title, bacon title fight. I think that would have been unbelievable. But yeah, I do think Saul is probably the fight that I'm looking forward to the most again, get our fight over with and then maybe have a paint together, get a feed, watch Saul, probably get another first round knockout, I would say. >> L, where do you think they're they're going to put your fight on the card? >> I don't know. I I wouldn't be surprised like to be honest at the start I was assuming it was going to be early enough in the prelims or whatever. If it was the I have no idea like if it was the I wouldn't be surprised. >> I think it's going to be well from judging like they they kind of they done the card similar h like just look from looking at the website I know it's subject to change but they did it they had a similar the last time and then obviously they had changed me and Alex cuz Alex at the corner of me. So I think that mid the mid prelims like the six fight or seven fight um that's that's what it's looking like anyway for now and whe that's >> I think I think that what's it sorry >> like the last prelim >> no not even the last it's like well there's like I think it's a six or seven and then I think there's only five on the main card so I think it's six or seven from what from what I can see not not speculations but I think cuz we sell tickets they want people in the door early as well so >> that would make sense and then like that's what a lot of people say if you sell tickets really if you sell tickets but it's not like we're not we haven't got 10 fights they'll put us on early low amount of fights but high amount of tickets get them in the door you know what I mean um so it could do that could be the it could be the main card but there's a lot of there's a lot of fight that could go on the main card as well so wherever wherever it is like we'll find out the week I'm sure like >> we'll have to see which way the cookie crumbles obviously Keith you're looking to go 3 and 0 uh Damen you're looking to go 4-0 tell us this Keith what would a win over Damen McKenna mean to you and your pro career >> just another step towards the UFC to be honest another step towards the UFC I have five fights with cage cage warriors on me contract this will be me second then three more and I'm looking at obviously like contend serious and all that stuff so just it's it's another fight it's not a win that's that's being brutally honest >> fair and what about yourself Damian what would a win over Keith mean for yourself >> that would be great's obviously got his five contract out there's a one fight deal for me so ideally win over Keith I want my contract as well. And as I said, this fight really is game like it's kind of saving me an extra one or two fights against random people that nobody knows. Like keep going to be able to a win over Keith will make me everyone know what level I'm on. So again, he's looking at contender series and stuff. So here in the next few years, it's just kind of saving me one or two fights as well, I would say. >> Yeah, I think obviously we know there's going to be a lot of boys in this. So there'll be massive profile boosts for for for the winner of this bout. No doubt about it. Um, and it probably I think safe say probably both be your biggest win your pro career easily. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So that's why people tuning in now, you have to make sure you get on to Keith Instagram and Damon's Instagram to get tickets. And if you cannot um attend the event, this will be live on UC Fight Pass on the 27th of September. So make sure to tune in to this one because this fight is not to be missed. Uh L, just before we wrap things up, I just want to say I have massive respect for both fighting each other as well. I know uh like in an ideal situation, Irish fighters wouldn't really fight each other, but the thing is what happens is when Irish fighters do fight each other, everyone tunes in. And that's why this fight is not to be missed. And as Ross and I said, this is the people's main event. Is there anything else you want to say to each other, lads, before you go and fight each other on the 27th of September? >> Let's do it. >> All the best. See you next week. Okay, so lads, thank you very much for your time. Make sure to like, make sure to share, make sure to subscribe, make sure to tune in on the 27th. And as always, stay >> energized. >> The Enjoy Show up the Irish. The Enjoy Show up the face that runs the place, Chaos Cortis. I want to thank the Irish MMA community so much for getting behind me. York, the chaos cartel.