Sport
Mixed Martial Arts
Location
Canada
Diagnosed at Age
3
Key Achievements
- Professional MMA record 1-2-0; scored a 2nd-round TKO win on pro debut at BFL 44: Vendetta (June 2016)
- Battlefield Fight League amateur bantamweight champion (September 2015)
- Featured advocate for Type 1 diabetes in combat sports (Diabetes.co.uk, Diabetic Muscle & Fitness, Diabetics Doing Things podcast)
Kevin Kellerman
Kevin Kellerman was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just 3 years old, but this early diagnosis never deterred him from pursuing his passion for mixed martial arts. Based in Kelowna, Canada, Kellerman has been training since his teens and has developed a sophisticated approach to managing his diabetes during the intense physical demands of MMA.
Kellerman made his professional MMA debut at BFL 44: Vendetta in June 2016, scoring an impressive 2nd-round TKO victory. Prior to turning professional, he captured the Battlefield Fight League amateur bantamweight championship in September 2015, establishing himself as a formidable competitor in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions.
In 2016, Kellerman adopted an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor (CGM), a change he credits with significantly improving his in-cage performances. Managing diabetes in MMA presents unique challenges, particularly with intense weight-cutting protocols and the adrenaline spikes that occur during fights, but Kellerman has mastered these obstacles.
Beyond his fighting career, Kellerman has become a prominent advocate for Type 1 diabetes awareness in combat sports, being featured in publications like Diabetes.co.uk and Diabetic Muscle & Fitness, as well as appearing on the Diabetics Doing Things podcast. His goal remains reaching the top tiers of MMA while inspiring others with diabetes to pursue their athletic dreams.
"Believe it or not I don't find it too challenging to manage my blood sugars and train MMA. I don't dwell on the fact that I have to do it."
Diabetes Management Approach
Kellerman manages his Type 1 diabetes during MMA training and competition using an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor (CGM), technology he adopted in 2016 that he credits with improving his performance. Managing diabetes in MMA presents unique challenges, particularly during intense weight-cutting phases and dealing with adrenaline-induced blood sugar spikes during fights.
His approach involves careful monitoring of blood glucose levels throughout training camps, adjusting insulin delivery based on the intensity and duration of training sessions. During fight week, Kellerman must balance the demands of making weight with maintaining stable blood sugar levels, requiring precise coordination between his diabetes management and fight preparation.
Advice for Fellow Diabetic Athletes
Don't dwell on having to manage diabetes - make it part of your routine and focus on your goals. The technology available today, like insulin pumps and CGMs, can actually give you better control and performance than you might expect.