It’s been a hell of week already for Tim Kennedy with the launch of the MMAAA, but now his focus over to his big fight coming up at UFC 206 in Toronto, Canada this Saturday.

Kennedy takes on Kelvin Gastelum following two false starts attempting to fight Rashad Evans at both UFC 205 and UFC 206.

Short notice, no sweat

The fight was only officially confirmed last week when the New York State Commission lifted their ban on Gastelum for no showing the UFC 205 weigh-ins. Despite the short notice, Kennedy feels like he’s at no disadvantage as Gastelum has been an opponent he’s always kept his eyes on.

“It’s not last second,” Kennedy told Submission radio. “I was asking for him at UFC 205 and I was aware that he was kind of a backup fighter for UFC 206 in the event that Rashad couldn’t fight. So even in New York, we were already watching fight tape on Gastelum.

“I’m very, very excited to prepare for this fight. He’s a tough guy, under-appreciated, underrated, very durable, very tough, hard to knockout, hard to submit, you know, powerhouse with his hands, great wrestling. If you look at his record right now, it’s like 15-2 or something, with his two losses being very close split decisions. He’s the real deal.”

Not sinking the knife in on Gastelum’s weigh issues

While many took the opportunity to lambast Gastelum for his actions at UFC 205, Kennedy took a more reflective stance on his behavior and hopes that his opponent on Saturday learned something from his experience in New York.

“Resentment was never a word I used,” Kennedy said. “His behavior has been unprofessional. That hasn’t changed. So that’s his problem, that’s not my problem. It’s not like I’m going to hold a grudge against him or I’m going to fight any differently because he didn’t make weight for Cowboy’s fight or any of the other fights he hasn’t made weight for.

“That has nothing to do with me. I am focused on what I’m supposed to do and hopefully he’ll made 185 pounds. If that doesn’t happen, then that will affect me and that will be a different story. You know, we’re professional athletes.

“Being professional means we’re going to show up on time, we’re going to step on the scale, we’re going to make weight and then we’re going to go in and put on a great show. That’s what I’m going to do and I hope he’s there to participate.”

His prediction for Saturday

While he happy not to bury Gastelum prior behavior and praise him for his abilities, Kennedy held no punches when it came to talking about the actual fight itself.

Suffice to say, Kennedy feels that everything will go his way on Saturday night and he will be the one with his hand raised when it’s all said and done.

“I think he’s going to… I don’t know what he’s going to do,” Kennedy said. “I don’t care. I think I’m going to beat him up on the feet and I think I’m the better kickboxer. And he’s younger and he’s going to think he’s younger and faster, you know, and that’s not the case.

“I have more tools and I think honestly I can beat him anywhere.”