(Do over? Photo courtesy of MMAJunkie)
With the news today that Derek Brunson has failed his medicals and as a result has been forced out of his March 3 main card bout with Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza at the upcoming Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey show in Columbus, OH, it appears that one prime candidate for the bout is very interested in stepping up on just over two weeks notice: Tim Kennedy.
Kennedy, who still has a bitter taste in his mouth from the unanimous decision loss he suffered against Souza back in August 2010 at Strikeforce: Houston responded to questions on Twitter today regarding his desire to take the bout and said he is in shape and ready to go if he gets the call to rematch the Brazilian submission specialist.
“I know I don’t really have an objective opinion, but I’m pretty accurate in how I view how fights went, and I thought I landed more strikes,” Kennedy told MMAjunkie.com after the fight. “I thought I landed more kicks. I knew I stuffed both of his takedowns. I knew I was the only one that scored takedowns. I knew I was the one that was controlling the center of the ring. In my understanding of the scoring of MMA, that means I won the fight.”
Brunson wasn’t cleared by the Ohio commission when they learned that he wears contacts when he fights — a common practice by fighters. After being told that he would be pulled from the card, he tweeted today that he will be booking an appointment for Lasik eye surgery in the near future.
“Failed medicals [– specifially the] eye exam. I’ve been fighting with contacts for 11 fights, [and it] never was an issue [before],” Brunson explained. “Ohio won’t pass my eye exam. I’m working on getting Lasik [surgery] this week. I’ll be back in no time.”
Hopefully Zuffa books Kennedy for the rematch since it’s unlikely that many opponents will be lining up to take on a tough former Strikeforce champ in two-and-a-half weeks. Tim is said to be next in line at a shot at champ Luke Rockhold, but a planned January bout never materialized for unknown reasons.