2015 Bloody Elbow MMA Scouting Report #4 Featherweight: Kenny Jordan

The Featherweight list is underway and it might very well be the most prospect rich division in the entire sport. Together Zane and I  scouted around 130 fighters and narrowed it down to around 30 outstanding prospects. From them we selected out our Top 10 prospects, the rest will be covered in two EXTRA pieces.

So let’s continue on with the list!

#4 – Kenny Jordan

Record: 4-0 (1 NC) Height: 5’9″ Age: 27 Years Pro: 2.2

Country: United States Team: Gilbert Grappling Base: Wrestling

Jordan grew up in Illinois and wrestled at local powerhouse Mt. Carmel High School and was a two time High School All-American and State Champion. In 2007 he won the NJCAA Championship for Lincoln Community College. In 2008 Jordan wrestled for the University of Nebraska where he placed fourth in the Big 12 Championships and qualified for the NCAA Championships. Jordan was dismissed from the team in 2008 and transferred to Purdue after a scandal that involved wrestlers sending pictures into a pornographic website.

Jordan has been fighting professional MMA since 2012, training out of the Southern Suburbs of Chicago. He has been fighting for local promotions such as Hoosier Fight Club and Pinnacle Combat, and is still working towards more national exposure.

Strengths

T.P. Grant: Jordan creates a world of pain and pressure on the inside for his opponents. He stays very busy both in the clinch and on the ground. Jordan is extremly strong for the weightclass and has a physical style that takes full advantage of that fact. Jordan’s wrestling game has transferred well to MMA and once on top he likes strike from the guard and half guard, forcing his opponents to work to try to escape. It is a classic Wrestler/Grinder approach and it has been very effective as he has broken down far more experienced fighters. Jordan’s striking is still in the development process but he has good movement seems comfortable with his lead hook. Currently his striking is a tool for him to get into the clinch, where he does his real work.

Zane Simon: The first and most important thing, when talking about an American prospect is usually their wrestling game, and that’s a base that Kenny Jordan has covered, beyond a doubt. Not only does he have a quick shot, and finish takedowns nicely, but he’s solid on top, and scrambling from the bottom. Even when Jordan gives up position, he’s adept enough with his wrestling and grappling to get it back.

The real thing to talk about with Jordan, however, is his striking. He’s obviously worked a lot on his boxing fundamentals and does a great job keeping his chin tucked while moving in and out of range. Couple that with a developing jab and left hook, and a strong feel for dirty boxing inside, and Jordan looks primed to develop into a strong, threatening striker, as well as an excellent wrestler and grappler.

Points of Development

T.P. Grant: Jordan’s grinding game is well in place and just needs to grow. His submission grappling is solid, and while some of his escape game is still predicated on his athleticism and scrambling ability it is still a functional part of his game. His outside striking can continue to grow and become more of an offensive tool and less a means to an end. Other than that, Jordan just needs the normal growth through experience.

Zane Simon: Time is the big one here. Just cage time and rounds. Wins over former UFC fighter Dustin Neace, and fellow rising talent Bobby Moffet show that Jordan’s got the game to compete, now it’s just about cage time to round off the rough edges. He still puts himself in some dangerous positions on the ground and isn’t as active in the clinch as he should be, but those are things that can and should round out with experience. The biggest point of importance will be whether he can get his hands to improve to the point of being a real KO threat. it looks like he should, from a mechanics point of view, but if he needs some finishing ability if he’s ever going to compete with the best in the world.

Overall Projection

Jordan has all the physical tools you look for in a wrestler to make a real run at MMA. Not only does he have the athletic tools, the physical skill, and aggressive mindset you look for but he has actively built his game to leverage those advantages. Assuming he has left his wild college days behind, Jordan could easily become a tough inside fighter at the high levels of Featherweight. A go to for a boarder line elite inside wrestler/grinder type is Mike Pierce and Jordan as is compares pretty well to that archetype of fighter. If Jordan continues to grow his skill set he could break through to that elite level he could fill the role similar that of Josh Koscheck, who eventually evolved his grinding style into something worthy of title contention.

Stay tuned for the #3 Featherweight coming soon! And to look up other articles in this series check out the table below. For comments, questions, or suggestions head down to the comment line or reach out to T.P. and Zane on Twitter: @TP_Grant and @TheZaneSimon