'I fight with strategy': British Tamil MMA fighter Kenu Suthakaran

Rising British-Eelam Tamil Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Kenu Suthakaran is making waves both in and out of the cage. Fresh off his first professional victory this past weekend, Suthakaran spoke to the Tamil Guardian about his fighting journey, the role of identity in his career, and what lies ahead for him.

Born and raised in London to parents who fled Tamil Eelam during armed conflict, Suthakaran has been training in martial arts for most of his life. What began as weekly Karate lessons quickly evolved into full-time Muay Thai sessions, and eventually, intensive MMA training sessions up to 13 times a week.

“I always felt the urge to be capable of defending myself more than the average kid,” he says. “What started off as learning Karate once a week turned into training Muay Thai three times a week then training MMA six times a week to now training as a professional nearly 13 times a week, along with coaching and running my business.”

That dedication has paid off. With his recent professional debut win, Suthakaran now has his sights set on climbing the MMA ranks — and eventually breaking into the the biggest shows. But for him, becoming a professional was never a question of if, only when. “Becoming a professional fighter was inevitable for me,” he says. “I truly do live it day in, day out and me fighting on the top stages is just nature.”

His training camp is intense and highly structured. “I wake up and go straight to training, come home, eat, sleep for about an hour, coach others, and then go back to training again in the evening,” he explains. “This happens either twice or three times depending on the day. Then I finish off my rest day with a nice steak meal to recover. Smart, hard work.”

Though Suthakaran initially trained in Karate, his fighting style has since evolved into something far more adaptable. “Nowadays, I’m so versatile. My style changes every fight depending on the opponent in front of me. I can do it all and I am a problem for all styles.”

But Suthakaran knows the mind is as crucial as the body in the fight game. “Mental strength is definitely the most important factor,” he stresses. “You can be the most skilled athlete, but how you speak to yourself and how you react to thoughts determines how well you use your skills. I prepare my mental attributes regularly the same way I build my physical ones.”

That discipline extends beyond the cage and into his unwavering pride in his Tamil identity. “My parents had to flee Tamil Eelam during the war, which led to me being born in London and not having to endure unspeakable hardships,” he says. “Today I have the skill and platform to represent, and it is simply my nature to fight representing my Tamil heritage. I am proud of who I am: a Tamilan.”

Suthakaran says that his Tamil background has shaped his journey through both “adversity and support”. 

“The support I’ve received from my Tamil people is something unreal and I can actually feel their emotion towards it,” he shares. “The adversities have been support in disguise. Being the only Tamil in school meant I had to stand up for myself at a young age. However, that’s a big reason why I strive to be the person that I am today.”

His win has sparked a wave of pride and celebration across the global Tamil community. “The response has been motivating and sometimes humorous,” he laughs. “The aunties who are surprised my parents let me fight in a cage instead of work a 9-5. The uncles who are so proud I carry the Eelam flag, to the point of tears. I love all of it.”

Despite forging a unique path as a British Tamil MMA fighter, Suthakaran says the sport’s meritocratic nature has worked in his favour. “MMA is the fairest,” he says. “So long as it doesn’t go to the judges, it’s all up to you.”

He also has been breaking the stereotypes. “There’s a stigma that South Asians are only academically smart and not athletic. I guess my performances show what a South Asian who is both smart and athletic can do.”
 

His biggest supporter? “My mum,” he says without hesitation. “She’s gone through a lot and I’m glad I’m capable enough to look after her today. She deserves the world.”

Looking ahead, Suthakaran says he’s already achieved his ultimate goal - to live life on his own terms. “I don’t work. I train, coach, show the world my martial arts journey, and eat steak,” he grins. “Now I want to see how high I can go up this mountain.”

He draws inspiration from the sport’s greats; Khabib for discipline, Conor McGregor for marketing savvy, Jon Jones for raw talent, and GSP (Georges St-Pierre) for strategy.

When it comes to facing opponents however he says “I’ll fight any bantamweight for the right amount”. 

“But be warned, some of these man end up losing before they know it’s begun.”

To Tamil youth aspiring to enter the fight game, Suthakaran has this advice: “Learn every day, from everyone. Stay patient. Be humble. Respect your elders. Never talk back to coaches, even when you feel like you want to and always remember those that stood by you from the beginning.”

“And finally, your mind is more important than your physical capabilities.”

Quickfire Round:

Favourite fighter? “Me.”
Post-fight meal of choice? “Fried wings and chips.”
Toughest part of fight camp? “The weight cut during fight week.”
Most Tamil thing about you? “Family first.”