Sinead Kavanagh
Born (1986-02-01) February 1, 1986 (age 38)
Inchicore, Dublin, Ireland
Other namesKO
NationalityIrish
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
DivisionFeatherweight
Reach65.0 in (165 cm)
Fighting out ofDublin, Ireland
TeamStraight Blast Gym Ireland
Years active2015–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total15
Wins9
By knockout4
By decision5
Losses6
By knockout2
By decision4
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Sinead Kavanagh is an Irish female mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the Bellator MMA. Fight Matrix had her ranked #10 Women's Featherweight from April 2021 till July 2021, and March 2022. She is currently ranked #8 in the World.[1] As of October 10, 2023, she is #6 in the Bellator Women's Featherweight Rankings.[2]

Background

Kavanagh is the middle child in a family of five siblings. She was a tomboy growing up. At eight years old, she started training stand-up disciplines including karate, boxing and kickboxing. She continued in these for many years, and had a desire to pursue martial arts further.[3]

While still in high school, Kavanagh gave birth to her son Leon, however Leon's father died. She had a tough upbringing, with her mother forming a drinking habit after her brother and sister were killed in a car crash, and becoming homeless at a young age.[3]

Kavanagh became a five-time national boxing champion, and competed alongside Katie Taylor on the Irish team that went to the World Championships in 2012. But after losing multiple fights, she decided to quit the sport.[4]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

In 2015, Kavanagh made it to the finals of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) World Championships, losing to Canadian fighter Jamie Herrington when the referee jumped in and stopped the fight in the third round. Afterwards, Herrington contacted her on Facebook to admit that she had failed a drug test and offered her apologies.[5]

Kavanagh made her professional MMA debut against Hatice Özyurt at BAMMA 22: Duquesnoy vs. Loughnane on September 19, 2015, defeating Ozyurt via TKO 17 seconds into the bout.[6]

Next up was future UFC fighter Zarah Fairn at BAMMA 24: Ireland vs. England on February 26, 2016. She won the close bout via split decision.[7]

From there, Kavanagh secured her third consecutive win against Polish fighter Katarzyna Sadura BAMMA 26: Saadeh vs. Young, which she won via KO in the first round.[7]

She was rewarded by being signed to Bellator MMA before their show in Dublin towards the end of 2016 and has been with the promotion ever since.[8]

Bellator MMA

Kavanagh made her Bellator debut against Elina Kallionidou at Bellator 169 on December 16, 2016; she won the bout by unanimous decision. She faced Iony Razafiarison on February 24, 2017 at Bellator 173, losing by unanimous decision. Kavanagh returned to face former Australian boxing champ Arlene Blencowe on 25 August 2017 at Bellator 182. She lost the fight via split decision.[9] She later defeated Maria Casanova via TKO at Bellator 187 on November 10, 2017.

Kavanagh faced Janay Harding at Bellator 207 on October 12, 2018. She lost the bout after it was stopped due to a cut.[10] She was scheduled to face Olga Rubin at Bellator 217, however she pulled out of the bout due to injury.[11] She faced Leslie Smith in her promotional debut at Bellator 224 on July 12, 2019.[12] She lost the fight by majority decision.[13] The bout against Olga Rubin was rebooked for Bellator 234 on November 15, 2019. She won the bout via TKO in the second round.[14]

Kavanagh won a bout with Katharina Lehner at Bellator Milan 3 on October 3, 2020, by unanimous decision.[15]

Kavanagh fought for the Bellator Women's Featherweight Championship against Cris Cyborg on November 12, 2021 at Bellator 271.[16] After exchanging on the feet, Kavanagh was knockout out early in the first round.[17]

Kavanagh faced Leah McCourt on February 25, 2022 at Bellator 275.[18] Even though she injured her knee during the bout, Kavanagh won the bout via unanimous decision.[19]

Kavanagh faced Janay Harding in a rematch on February 25, 2023 at Bellator 291.[20] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[21]

Kavanagh faced Sara Collins on September 23, 2023 at Bellator 299.[22] She lost the fight via split decision.[23]

Kavanagh was scheduled to rematch Leah McCourt on March 22, 2024 at Bellator 302.[24] On February 20, McCourt announced that she was out of the bout after suffering broken ribs and a torn oblique.[25]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
15 matches 9 wins 6 losses
By knockout 4 2
By decision 5 4
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 9–6 Sara Collins Decision (split) Bellator 299 September 23, 2023 3 5:00 Dublin, Ireland
Win 9–5 Janay Harding Decision (unanimous) Bellator 291 February 25, 2023 3 5:00 Dublin, Ireland
Win 8–5 Leah McCourt Decision (unanimous) Bellator 275 February 25, 2022 3 5:00 Dublin, Ireland
Loss 7–5 Cris Cyborg KO (punches) Bellator 271 November 12, 2021 1 1:32 Hollywood, Florida, United States For the Bellator Women's Featherweight World Championship.
Win 7–4 Katharina Lehner Decision (unanimous) Bellator Milan 3 October 3, 2020 3 5:00 Milan, Italy
Win 6–4 Olga Rubin TKO (punches) Bellator 234 November 15, 2019 2 4:37 Tel Aviv, Israel
Loss 5–4 Leslie Smith Decision (majority) Bellator 224 July 12, 2019 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Catchweight (147.7 lb) bout; Kavanagh missed weight.
Loss 5–3 Janay Harding TKO (cut) Bellator 207 October 12, 2018 1 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 5–2 Maria Casanova TKO (punches) Bellator 187 November 10, 2017 1 0:34 Dublin, Ireland Catchweight (143 lb) bout.
Loss 4–2 Arlene Blencowe Decision (split) Bellator 182 August 25, 2017 3 5:00 Verona, New York, United States Return to Featherweight.
Loss 4–1 Iony Razafiarison Decision (unanimous) Bellator 173 February 24, 2017 3 5:00 Belfast, Northern Ireland Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
Win 4–0 Elina Kallionidou Decision (unanimous) Bellator 169 December 16, 2016 3 5:00 Dublin, Ireland
Win 3–0 Katarzyna Sadura KO (punches) BAMMA 26: Saadeh vs. Young September 10, 2016 1 2:46 Dublin, Ireland
Win 2–0 Zarah Fairn Decision (split) BAMMA 24: Ireland vs. England February 26, 2016 3 5:00 Dublin, Ireland Featherweight bout.
Win 1–0 Hatice Özyurt TKO (punches) BAMMA 22: Duquesnoy vs. Loughnane September 19, 2015 1 0:17 Dublin, Ireland Bantamweight debut.

[26]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Sinead Kavanagh". Fight Matrix. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  2. ^ "Bellator Rankings". www.bellator.com. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Sinead Kavanagh: A Warriors Story | MMA UK". 14 September 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  4. ^ Farrell, Sinead. "After years spent being battered by corruption, Sinead Kavanagh is still fighting for the dream". The42. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  5. ^ Dollery, Paul. "Seven fighting prospects who could make 2016 another good year for Irish MMA". The42. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  6. ^ Blake, Ben. "One of SBG's newest fighters won with a devastating head kick at the 3 Arena last night". The42. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  7. ^ a b Farrell, Sinead. "MMA talent Sinéad Kavanagh looks to extend her flawless pro-record tonight". The42. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  8. ^ Lagdon, Scott (14 November 2019). "Bellator 234's Sinead Kavanagh still annoyed by Leslie Smith loss: 'I schooled that b-tch'". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Arlene Blencowe defeats Sinead Kavanagh in Bellator return". Fight News Australia. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  10. ^ Tucker, Bryan (12 October 2018). "Bellator 207 Results: Mitrione vs. Bader". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  11. ^ Carroll, Peter (13 February 2019). "Sinead Kavanagh out of Bellator 217, Iony Razafiarison steps in against Olga Rubin". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  12. ^ Peter Carroll (4 June 2019). "Leslie Smith to face Sinead Kavanagh in promotional return at Bellator 224". mmafighting.com.
  13. ^ "Bellator 224 results: Leslie Smith returns with majority decision win over Sinead Kavanagh". MMA Junkie. 13 July 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  14. ^ "Bellator 234 results and highlights: Linton Vassell upsets, stops Sergei Kharitonov". FanSided. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  15. ^ Anderson, Jay (4 October 2020). "Bellator Europe 9: Sinead Kavanagh Responds to Cris Cyborg's Suggestion They Could Meet Soon". Cageside Press. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  16. ^ Heck, Mike (6 October 2021). "Cris Cyborg vs. Sinead Kavanagh featherweight title fight set for Bellator 271". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  17. ^ Anderson, Jay (13 November 2021). "Bellator 271: Cris Cyborg Puts Sinead Kavanagh Out Early With Thunderous KO". Cageside Press. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  18. ^ "Bellator Targeting Leah McCourt vs Sinéad Kavanagh for Dublin in February". SevereMMA.com - UFC, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Irish MMA. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  19. ^ Anderson, Jay (25 February 2022). "Bellator 275: Sinead Kavanagh Overcomes Injury, Wins Decision Over Leah McCourt". Cageside Press. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  20. ^ Markey, Ross (7 November 2022). "Report - Sinead Kavanagh vs. Janay Harding II booked for Bellator Dublin on February 24". FightBook MMA. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  21. ^ Rush, Dylan (25 February 2023). "Bellator 291: Sinead Kavanagh Gets Revenge in Rematch with Janay Harding". Cageside Press. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  22. ^ Anderson, Jay (25 May 2023). "Bellator 299 in Dublin, Ireland Gets Six More Fights Including Kavanagh vs. Collins". Cageside Press. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  23. ^ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 299 'Eblen vs. Edwards' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  24. ^ Anderson, Jay (5 February 2024). "Bellator 302 in Belfast Adds Leah McCourt vs. Sinead Kavanagh 2". Cageside Press. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  25. ^ Guillen, Adam (20 February 2024). "McCourt Out Of Bellator 302 With Multiple 'Painful' Injuries". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  26. ^ Sherdog.com. "Sinead Kavanagh". Sherdog. Retrieved 7 August 2020.

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