Nathan “The Cobra” Kenna believes Europe is too small for him
” I want to run Ireland. I want Ireland to be recognised like America and China, the biggest fighting countries out there.”
It’s hard to know what to ask to someone, when they have already answered your question before you have asked it. In this case, the “Cobra” is that someone with all the answers…
The 19 year-old Nathan Kenna, is one of the most exciting MMA fighters in Ireland, and is ‘one to watch’ as he currently holds the UK’s amateur BattleArena Bantamweight championship.
His excitement comes from his wild style, his fighting talk and his telepathic skills. One of these predictions is that the amateur championship title he holds will turn into a UFC world championship in times to come, but he is not to fussy either, if Bellator come knocking beforehand.
What comes before all the stardom and the bright lights of Vegas is Cage Legacy One, and the amateur bout facing David Moore, where he promises new changes and ‘exciting things for the cobra’.
These exciting things happen in training in Full Power Gym where Kenna plots to dismantle his opponent in the first round with his stand up
“I think I will finish him in the first round, no bother, with a knockout, he is going to try take me down like in all of his fights, but I am comfortable on my back. I am just to slick for him.”
When asked if there was any bad blood between him and David he made sure to let me know that there was not. Kenna’s work does not stop after training and assures me that he has done more homework on David Moore than he has in school.
But where does a character like “The Cobra” draw inspiration from? I looked back on interviews, and the aura of confidence around Nathan. It was clear that he is his own motivator.
Sometimes there is more to a fighter’s confidence than his own self belief. A back story. His inspiration not only comes from the fighting greats but also his family.
“It’s looking back on my videos and putting a smile on my Mam’s face.
The cobra’s venom where he spits his fight talk, and his poisonous martial art skills comes from his family. Make no mistake, this journey is not an individual one.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsHZ38OKdic&w=560&h=315]
words by Emmet Banahan
