LAS VEGAS – Brian Kelleher is looking to turn his career around at UFC 246.
It’s been more than a year since he last fought, as he battled an injury that forced him to sit out. He returns this Saturday against Dana White’s Contender Series veteran Ode Osbourne.
Once a promising 135-pound contender, Kelleher (19-10 MMA, 3-3 UFC) finds himself potentially on the chopping block, having lost his last two fights. And while he’s aware of the implications, the bantamweight is focused on performing to his full potential, where he has finished almost 80 percent of his fights.
“It’s definitely in the back of my mind, it’s kind of something hard to ignore,” Kelleher said. “I know, two losses, been out for a while, had to turn down fights due to injury. So this fight is to get back in the good graces of the UFC and just get back to my winning ways.”
During his time off, Kelleher dabbled in the MMA analyst role, something he sees himself doing more of down the road.
But for the foreseeable future, his primary job is as a fighter, and being away has reignited his passion.
“I think that’s why the time off was good because mentally, I was getting drained about just the training,” Kelleher said. “I noticed myself not enjoying it as much, and that injury actually helped me because not being able to train for a little while and then getting back, I feel like the flame was re-lit.”
Osbourne is the far less experienced fighter in this bout, but he poses threats, having barely gone the distance himself.
But Kelleher will look to dictate how the fight plays out.
“He’s a good fighter,” Kelleher said. “He’s tough, he gets reckless in there, he takes risks I noticed. I only really saw some of his Contender Series’ fight but I don’t really focus on that that much either. I’m focused on myself, and what I want to do in there, implement that, and impose my will, do what I want in there.”
“I see myself getting a finish, that’s just how I fight. I don’t know which way or how it’s going to go, early, late but I’m getting a finish for sure because I don’t go in there to outpoint guys. I’m trying to take your head off or I’m trying to choke you out.”
UFC 246 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
For more from Kelleher, watch the video above.
