Sinead Kavanagh

Sinead Kavanagh (born February 1, 1986) is an Irish female mixed martial artist who competed in the Featherweight division of the Bellator MMA. Fight Matrix had her ranked at #10 in Women's Featherweight from April 2021 till July 2021, and March 2022.

Background Kavanagh is the middle child in a family of five siblings. She was a tomboy growing up. At eight years old, she started training stand-up disciplines including karate, boxing and kickboxing. She continued in these for many years, and had a desire to pursue martial arts further.

While still in high school, Kavanagh gave birth to her son Leon, however Leon's father died. She had a tough upbringing, with her mother forming a drinking habit after her brother and sister were killed in a car crash, and becoming homeless at a young age.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career In 2015, Kavanagh made it to the finals of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) World Championships, losing to Canadian fighter Jamie Herrington when the referee jumped in and stopped the fight in the third round. Afterwards, Herrington contacted her on Facebook to admit that she had failed a drug test and offered her apologies.

Kavanagh made her professional MMA debut against Hatice Özyurt at BAMMA 22: Duquesnoy vs. Loughnane on 19 September 2015, defeating Ozyurt via TKO 17 seconds into the bout.

Next up was future UFC fighter Zarah Fairn at BAMMA 24: Ireland vs. England on 26 February 2016. She won the close bout via split decision.

From there, Kavanagh secured her third consecutive win against Polish fighter Katarzyna Sadura BAMMA 26: Saadeh vs. Young, which she won via KO in the first round.

Bellator MMA Kavanagh made her Bellator debut against Elina Kallionidou at Bellator 169 on 16 December 2016; she won the bout by unanimous decision. She faced Iony Razafiarison on 24 February 2017 at Bellator 173, losing by unanimous decision. Kavanagh returned to face former Australian boxing champ Arlene Blencowe on 25 August 2017 at Bellator 182. She lost the fight via split decision. She later defeated Maria Casanova via TKO at Bellator 187 on 10 November 2017.

Kavanagh faced Janay Harding at Bellator 207 on 12 October 2018. She lost the bout after it was stopped due to a cut. She was scheduled to face Olga Rubin at Bellator 217, however, she pulled out of the bout due to injury. She faced Leslie Smith in her promotional debut at Bellator 224 on 12 July 2019. She lost the fight by majority decision. The bout against Olga Rubin was rebooked for Bellator 234 on 15 November 2019. She won the bout via TKO in the second round.

Kavanagh won a bout with Katharina Lehner at Bellator Milan 3 on 3 October 2020, by unanimous decision.

Kavanagh fought for the Bellator Women's Featherweight Championship against Cris Cyborg on 12 November 2021 at Bellator 271. After exchanging on the feet, Kavanagh was knocked out early in the first round.

Kavanagh faced Leah McCourt on 25 February 2022 at Bellator 275. Even though she injured her knee during the bout, Kavanagh won the bout via unanimous decision.

Kavanagh faced Janay Harding in a rematch on 25 February 2023 at Bellator 291. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

Kavanagh faced Sara Collins on 23 September 2023 at Bellator 299. She lost the fight via split decision.

Kavanagh was scheduled to rematch Leah McCourt on 22 March 2024 at Bellator Champions Series 1. On 20 February, McCourt announced that she was out of the bout due to broken ribs and a torn oblique.

Kavanagh faced Arlene Blencowe in a rematch on 22 June 2024 at Bellator Champions Series 3 and lost the bout by a guillotine choke submission.

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Arlene Blencowe Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator Champions Series 3

Dublin, Ireland Loss

Sara Collins Decision (split) Bellator 299

Dublin, Ireland Win

Janay Harding Decision (unanimous) Bellator 291

Dublin, Ireland Win

Leah McCourt Decision (unanimous) Bellator 275

Dublin, Ireland Loss

Cris Cyborg KO (punches) Bellator 271

Hollywood, Florida, United States Win

Katharina Lehner Decision (unanimous) Bellator Milan 3

Milan, Italy Win

Olga Rubin TKO (punches) Bellator 234

Tel Aviv, Israel Loss

Leslie Smith Decision (majority) Bellator 224

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Janay Harding TKO (cut) Bellator 207

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Maria Casanova TKO (punches) Bellator 187

Dublin, Ireland Loss

Arlene Blencowe Decision (split) Bellator 182

Verona, New York, United States Loss

Iony Razafiarison Decision (unanimous) Bellator 173

Belfast, Northern Ireland Win

Elina Kallionidou Decision (unanimous) Bellator 169

Dublin, Ireland Win

Katarzyna Sadura KO (punches) BAMMA 26: Saadeh vs. Young

Dublin, Ireland Win

Zarah Fairn Decision (split) BAMMA 24: Ireland vs. England

Dublin, Ireland Win

Hatice Özyurt TKO (punches) BAMMA 22: Duquesnoy vs. Loughnane

Dublin, Ireland