Jeremy Kennedy Bio
Jeremy Michael Fitz-Kennedy (born September 16, 1992) is a Canadian mixed martial artist who competes across the Lightweight, Featherweight, and Bantamweight divisions. Nicknamed “JBC” and “The Bandit,” he has built a professional career that has carried him through several of the sport’s major promotions. He has previously competed for the Professional Fighters League (PFL), Bellator MMA, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), establishing himself as a seasoned international competitor.
Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall with a 71-inch reach and an orthodox stance, Kennedy trains out of Revolution MMA Xtreme Couture. He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Bibiano Fernandes, a credential that anchors his grappling-heavy approach to the sport.
Early Life and Background
Jeremy Michael Fitz-Kennedy was born on September 16, 1992, in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. He was raised in the Fleetwood neighborhood of Surrey, the same community that shaped his early years. He later graduated from Fleetwood Park Secondary School, completing his formal education in the city where he was born.
Kennedy began training in boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of 13. The decision was a personal one, motivated by a desire to put up with his older brother, and the discipline quickly turned into a passion. The early training laid the foundation for the grappling skills that would later define his professional career.
Path to MMA
Kennedy’s amateur career gave him a strong platform before he turned professional. He compiled an amateur record of 8–1 and captured the Battlefield Fight League Amateur Featherweight Championship. His development inside regional circuits helped him refine the boxing and jiu-jitsu base he had built as a teenager.
When Kennedy made the move to the professional ranks, he continued his ascent. He went unbeaten at 8–0 as a professional and added the Battlefield Fight League Professional Featherweight Championship to his résumé. That streak earned him a look from major promotions and set the stage for his arrival on the international stage.
Jeremy Kennedy Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
Jeremy Michael Fitz-Kennedy began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2013, competing across multiple weight classes in regional shows. His early years were marked by steady improvement, and he remained undefeated as a professional while capturing titles on the Battlefield Fight League scene. The unbeaten run drew the attention of major organizations scouting for talent.
By 2016, Kennedy had built a record that justified a step up to the highest level of the sport. His combination of technical grappling, composed striking, and championship experience made him a notable signing for one of the world’s leading promotions.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (2016–2018)
Kennedy made his UFC debut on August 27, 2016, at UFC on Fox 21, where he faced Alessandro Ricci. He earned a unanimous decision victory, an encouraging start to his run on the sport’s biggest stage. He was briefly tabbed as a short-notice replacement to face Mirsad Bektic at UFC 204, but an injury forced him out of the bout.
On March 11, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 106, Kennedy defeated Rony Jason by unanimous decision. He followed that with another unanimous decision win over Kyle Bochniak on July 22, 2017, at UFC on Fox 25. A scheduled bout with Alexander Volkanovski at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Tybura was scrapped after Kennedy withdrew with a back injury, and the fight was rescheduled for February 11, 2018, at UFC 221. Kennedy lost that bout by technical knockout in the second round, and the result led to the end of his UFC contract.
Brave Combat Federation (2018)
After his UFC run ended, Jeremy Michael Fitz-Kennedy grew frustrated with contract negotiations and signed with Brave Combat Federation. He headlined Brave 14 against Danyel Pilo on August 18, 2018, scoring a first-round knockout victory. A planned appearance in the Professional Fighters League’s 2018 featherweight tournament fell through when Brave CF officials blocked his participation, leading to a new booking with the promotion.
Kennedy headlined Brave 21 on December 28, 2018, against Marat Magomedov. He won the fight by technical knockout in the third round, capping a strong first year with Brave CF.
Professional Fighters League (2019)
In 2019, Jeremy Michael Fitz-Kennedy entered the Professional Fighters League’s 2019 Featherweight Tournament. He opened against Luis Rafael Laurentino at PFL 2 after Alexandre Bezerra missed weight, losing by first-round TKO. He bounced back at PFL 5 on July 25, 2019, defeating Steven Siler by unanimous decision to advance to the playoffs.
In the quarterfinals, Kennedy knocked out Laurentino in the second round to reach the semifinals on the same night. He was eliminated after losing to Daniel Pineda by first-round submission, though Pineda later tested positive for a banned substance and the result was overturned to a no contest.
Bellator MMA (2020–2024)
Kennedy signed with Bellator MMA in October 2020 and made his promotional debut against Matt Bessette at Bellator 253 on November 19, 2020, winning by unanimous decision. On April 9, 2021, at Bellator 256, he lost a unanimous decision to Ádám Borics. He returned to the win column at Bellator 272 on December 3, 2021, taking a unanimous decision over Emmanuel Sanchez.
A scheduled bout with Aaron Pico at Bellator 277 in April 2022 was cancelled after Kennedy withdrew eight days before the event. The fight was rebooked for Bellator 286 on October 1, 2022, where Pico suffered a shoulder injury and the bout was stopped after the first round. On February 25, 2023, Kennedy defeated Pedro Carvalho by unanimous decision at Bellator 291. In 2024, after a rescheduled booking, he challenged Patrício Pitbull for the Bellator Featherweight Championship but lost in the third round.
Return to PFL (2024–2025)
Kennedy was scheduled to face Jesus Pinedo at PFL 10 on November 29, 2024, but Pinedo withdrew after missing weight and was replaced by Gabriel Alves Braga on one day’s notice. Kennedy lost the bout by unanimous decision. On February 12, 2025, the promotion confirmed he had joined the 2025 PFL Featherweight Tournament.
In the quarterfinals at PFL 1 on April 3, 2025, Kennedy lost a split decision to Movlid Khaybulaev. He returned as an alternate at PFL 5 on June 12, 2025, dropping a majority decision to Ádám Borics. He then returned to regional competition and won the BFL Lightweight Championship at BFL 84 on September 4, 2025, submitting Jeremy Henry in the fourth round.
Style and Strengths
Jeremy Michael Fitz-Kennedy’s style is anchored by a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu earned under Bibiano Fernandes. His grappling base allows him to threaten with submissions and control opponents on the mat, while his orthodox striking gives him a reliable path to decisions. He has shown the patience to grind out unanimous decision wins when his finishes are not available, a hallmark of his UFC and Bellator tenure.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kennedy’s career features regional title success, an unbeaten professional start, and runs in the UFC, Brave CF, PFL, and Bellator. His shot at the Bellator Featherweight Championship against Patrício Pitbull and his multiple appearances in PFL playoff events rank among the defining moments of his career.
Jeremy Kennedy Career Wins
Jeremy Michael Fitz-Kennedy has compiled 21 professional wins across more than a decade of competition. His victories are split among decisions, knockouts, and submissions, reflecting a balanced and well-rounded skill set.
UFC and Bellator Highlights
Kennedy’s UFC run produced unanimous decision wins over Alessandro Ricci, Rony Jason, and Kyle Bochniak. In Bellator, he earned unanimous decision victories over Matt Bessette, Emmanuel Sanchez, and Pedro Carvalho, and added a TKO over Magomedov during his Brave CF stint.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the major promotions, Kennedy captured the Battlefield Fight League Amateur and Professional Featherweight Championships and the BFL Lightweight Championship. He has consistently performed at a high level across multiple weight divisions throughout his career.
Jeremy Kennedy Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jeremy Michael Fitz-Kennedy was raised in the Fleetwood neighborhood of Surrey, British Columbia, by his family. His early training in boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu was inspired in part by his relationship with his older brother, a detail that shaped his path into martial arts.
Personal Life
Kennedy currently resides in Surrey, British Columbia, the same city where he was born and raised. He trains out of Revolution MMA Xtreme Couture and continues to compete professionally into the 2025 season.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 campaign saw Jeremy Michael Fitz-Kennedy rejoin the Professional Fighters League Featherweight Tournament, where he faced top-tier opposition in the bracket. He dropped a split decision to Movlid Khaybulaev in the quarterfinals at PFL 1, ending his run in the main draw.
Kennedy returned as an alternate at PFL 5, where he lost a majority decision to Ádám Borics in another competitive showing. Outside the PFL season, he captured the BFL Lightweight Championship at BFL 84 in September 2025, rebounding with a fourth-round submission win. Heading into the remainder of the year, he remains active on the regional and international circuits.