BY RYAN BEVINS, ON X (FORMERLY TWITTER) @BEVOIS
Stephen King once wrote: “In small towns people scent the wind with noses of uncommon keenness.”
This suggests that people from small towns are very perceptive and attuned to their surroundings. The idea of “scenting the wind” implies a heightened awareness of changes and nuances in their environment.
LFA star Kasey Tanner heightened his senses growing up in Bloomington, Illinois, which is located in the center of “The Prairie State” and acts as a midway point between two of the Midwest’s largest cities in Chicago and St. Louis. It was there that he developed his keen senses and astute awareness that makes him so dangerous in the Octagon. Along with his elevated fighting instincts, Tanner developed small town values and a work ethic that has now made him one of the biggest prospects in MMA today. That work ethic was instilled in him by his father Billy Tanner. The elder Tanner is a black belt in Shotokan Karate and began teaching Kasey the principles and techniques of traditional martial arts at the age of 6.
“Traditional martial arts taught me mainly discipline and repetition. I still use traditional techniques and practice often,” Tanner told LFA.com. “I started wrestling at the age of 12. I believe the competition is tough in the Midwest, because of the way we’re raised. I grew up around hard working blue collar folks and the discipline and work ethic has always been on display. I think the harsh cold weather and working tough jobs molds us into tough people. We’re not afraid to get our hands dirty and work for what we have.”
Get your tickets for LFA 196: Tanner vs. Ureña
Kasey Tanner began training martial arts with his father Billy Tanner when he was 6-years-old.
Tanner moved from Illinois to Arizona shortly after graduating high school. That was when his desire to become a UFC fighter began to grow and he knew he needed more competition and to seek out the best training partners possible. However, that change of scenery from a quiet small town in Illinois to the fifth largest city in the United States did not change Tanner’s love of the outdoors as he continues to seek out and explore the best spots that Arizona has to offer when he is not training.
“I do love to enjoy the outdoors in Arizona,” stated Tanner. “Sedona and Flagstaff are great get aways from the Phoenix heat. I wish I could step outside the city more often, but lately I’m deep in training… still trying to make my mark in the sport and can only take off a day or two at a time.”
Henry Cejudo and Kasey Tanner have leaned on each other heavily during their fight camps.
The Southwest is renowned for its world-class MMA academies and fight camps and Tanner sought out one of the best. That would be Fight Ready MMA & Fitness Gym in Scottsdale, Arizona, which is home to Olympic wrestling gold medalist, former two-division UFC champion, and LFA great Henry Cejudo.
“Henry Cejudo is at my gym and we help each other out. He’s pushed me to this point,” Tanner exclaimed. “Just watching him train and how he approaches the game is just on another level. It’s nice to learn from an athlete of his caliber and you really see the levels. It’s always a pleasure.”
Kasey Tanner is an avid outdoorsman from the Midwest that now calls Arizona home.
Tanner signed with the LFA in early 2022 with a perfect 5-0 record as a professional, which he compiled after a flawless 9-0 record as an amateur. In his debut for the promotion at LFA 124, Tanner dismantled Oregon based fighter Tristan Lindi in less than a half of a round. The end came when Tanner secured a back mount and began teeing off with unanswered strikes to earn the TKO via referee stoppage. That performance earned Tanner an invitation to compete on Dana White’s Contender Series in his next fight. That bout came against fellow undefeated LFA standout Jean Matsumoto on Week 6 of Season 7 of the UFC boss’ popular television show on ESPN+.
While Tanner did not get his hand raised that night, Dana White was standing on his feet clapping as the final horn sounded. White then made a rare appearance inside the Octagon to shake both Tanner and Matsumoto’s hands before the official decision was announced. He then awarded both men their “show” and their “win” money. Tanner gained a lot from this valuable experience and has used it as a building block.
“It was a good experience. I learned a lot about the game and myself,” Tanner explained. “I made some adjustments also. I was feeling sick before the fight and was unable to fight at my potential. I would love to run it back (with Jean Matsumoto who is now 16-0) in the future.”
Watch LFA 196: Tanner vs. Ureña
Kasey Tanner submitted Brazilian veteran Thiago Belo in the Co-Main Event of LFA 188.
Tanner is fully aware that he competes in one of the sport’s most competitive divisions. This is perhaps the only reason why he is not currently on the UFC roster. Bantamweights headlined the first LFA event nearly 8 years ago and there are currently over a dozen LFA alumni competing in the UFC bantamweight division. Among them, six are currently ranked in the Top 15.
That illustrious group includes former UFC champions Cejudo and Sean O’Malley as well as Cory Sandhagen, Mario Bautista, Kyler Phillips, and Jonathan Martinez. In the UFC, the bantamweight division is also one of the most popular due to its depth and star power and Tanner sees the success of the LFA greats before him as a source of inspiration.
“It’s a combination of speed and power that most bantamweights possess. It is also the technicality of the bantamweights, it is on another level,” stated Tanner. “I believe I have the potential to fight at the highest level. I’m tough in all areas and have a mind for fighting. I’m built differently physically and mentally. When I get the job I want and can give more of my time to my craft, there’s nothing stopping me from being a world champion at 135 and building a legacy.”
That legacy building continued last summer in the Co-Main Event of LFA 188. Tanner bounced back from his minor setback on Dana White’s Contender Series in one of the most impressive ways possible. He submitted the battle-tested Brazilian veteran Thiago “Bananinha” Belo in the first round. The submission came via Rear Naked Choke, which further demonstrated how complete Tanner is as a fighter.
Kasey Tanner celebrates with his father, coaches, and teammates at LFA 188.
Tanner will be back in action when he headlines LFA 196, which will kick off an exciting weekend of fights on Veterans Day weekend. The bout will take place at Arizona Financial Theatre in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, which is the same venue that Tanner won his LFA debut in February 2022. While he gained valuable experience competing on Dana White’s Contender Series and LFA 188 in nearby Chandler, Arizona, Tanner is excited to be fighting in the state’s capital when he competes in the first LFA main event of his career.
Moreover, Tanner is excited about the opportunity to fight the Caribbean’s top prospect Micaias “The Pink Ranger” Ureña. The top Dominican prospect is coming off of the second-fastest knockout in LFA bantamweight history in his LFA debut last summer at LFA 189 and is riding a wave of momentum. Tanner feels this is the perfect opponent to make a statement to show why he deserves a chance to fulfill that childhood dream of competing in the UFC.
“I absolutely think a win over Ureña gets me in the UFC,” stated Tanner. “He’s a clean, dangerous striker that occasionally quits on himself when things don’t go his way. I will take him to his limits and see what he’s made of… I believe my skill set and toughness is what sets us apart. I’m a more complete MMA fighter. I’m just really grateful to be in the position that I’m in. I’m excited to put on a show and take a step forward in my career.”
You can watch Kasey Tanner face Micaias “The Pink Ranger” Ureña in the Main Event of LFA 196. The event takes place this Friday, November 8th and it will be available worldwide on UFC Fight Pass at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
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About LFA:
LFA is a professional Mixed Martial Arts promotion that was formed by the powerhouse merger between RFA and Legacy FC in 2017. It has launched the careers of over 330 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC. LFA presents live Mixed Martial Arts events on a monthly basis around the world including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas, Phoenix, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo. Based in Las Vegas, NV, LFA is one of the most active and respected MMA organizations in the fastest growing sport in the world. The promotion owns and operates LFA FIGHT NETWORK™, a premium YouTube channel that features live combat sports events alongside live LFA Prelims and historical fights.
Please visit LFA.com for updates and information. Visit the official LFA YouTube channel (LFA FIGHT NETWORK™) at @LFAfights. LFA is on Facebook at Facebook.com/LFAfighting. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and X (formerly Twitter) at @LFAfighting.
About UFC FIGHT PASS®:
UFC FIGHT PASS® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, UFC FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features; behind-the-scenes content; in-depth interviews; and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. UFC FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 20,000 bouts from dozens of combats sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access UFC FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV. For more information, please visit UFCFightPass.com.
About ARIZONA FINANCIAL THEATRE:
Sitting in the heart of downtown Phoenix, Arizona Financial Theatre provides unique versatility for groups from 10 to 5,000 guests. From upscale award ceremonies, corporate events, private concerts, dance competitions, social gatherings or VIP concert suites, Arizona Financial Theatre offers unlimited opportunities to exceed expectations. For more information, visit their website.