Longtime UFC bantamweight Casey Kenney has been released from the promotion following his arrest on kidnapping and assault charges.
Kenney, a former LFA interim flyweight and bantamweight champion, debuted on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage with a win over Ray Borg in 2019. He went on to compete a further seven times in the Octagon, facing the likes of Merab Dvalishvili.
The 33-year-old hasn’t competed since 2021, a year in which he suffered consecutive split decision losses to Dominick Cruz and Song Yadong.
Three years on, that losing skid has been confirmed as the final chapter of Kenney’s UFC career, with the organization confirming to MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin that the 135-pound vet has been released amid troubling allegations of domestic abuse.
Ex-UFC Fighter Kenney Accused Of ‘Repeatedly Striking, Slapping, Biting, Headbutting, Choking’ Partner
Kenney was arrested on Saturday, August 16, on a number of charges stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident.
Per MMA Fighting, the veteran fighter was taken into custody by Phoenix Police Fugitive Apprehension Detectives and booked on charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault (strangulation), and assault.
According to Maricopa County court records, Kenny is facing six charges in total, the most serious of which is a class 2 felony for kidnapping. If convicted, the Indiana native is facing up to 12.5 years in prison.
Reports of an incident involving Kenney first arose when the alleged victim’s mother accused the fighter of domestic violence in a post on Instagram.
MMA Fighting’s report includes a probable cause statement obtained from Maricopa County court records, detailing some harrowing accusations being leveled against the now-former UFC fighter.
“Between the dates of 7-21-2024 at approximately 11:00 p.m. and 7-22-24 at approximately 12:14 a.m. while at the single family residence located at [address redacted], [suspect] Casey Kenney committed kidnapping, aggravated assault by strangulation and assault against [victim] Jasmine Mendez by repeatedly striking, slapping, biting, headbutting and choking [victim] Jasmine for several hours resulting in abrasions to Jasmine’s lip and discoloration to Jasmine’s arms and petechiae to Jasmine’s neck.
“Furthermore, during the 13 hours at Casey Kenney’s residence, Jasmine was incapable of escaping the residence due to Casey routinely grabbing hold of Jasmine and holding her in place during her attempts while threatening to cause more physical harm. Casey Kenney advised Jasmine Mendez that if anyone shows up he will shoot them and if her mother shows up he will shoot her in the head. Jasmine Mendez stated she desires prosecution in this matter at this time.”
Kenny has since been released from police custody. His case now has a status conference scheduled for August 22 and a preliminary hearing four days later.
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