Levi Kitchen, the 25-year-old winner of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX 250 Class World Championship, has stated his intention to pursue professional bass fishing once he retires from supermotocross. The Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider told OutKick OutDoors in an exclusive interview that he wants to try his hand at tournament fishing, a goal he has held since discovering the sport in his youth.
Kitchen is already familiar with the competitive side of angling. Earlier this year, he participated in the Bassmaster Classic Celebrity Pro-Am alongside professional angler Tristan McCormick. Although the pair did not dominate the leaderboard, Kitchen said the experience gave him a new appreciation for the dedication required to make a living chasing bass. He noted that while he caught a few fish, he was proud to hold his own against a pro who expected many participants to be inexperienced.
Kitchen described the Pro-Am as an eye-opener that increased his respect for professional anglers. He acknowledged that pursuing a career in the sport would require significant dedication and a substantial time commitment.
Kitchen’s connection to fishing began in Washington state, where he grew up. Around age 14 or 15, he found an old fly rod in his father's shop and began practicing casts in the yard. He has maintained an annual steelhead fishing trip with his family and friends for roughly a decade. Now living in Florida, bass fishing has become his primary obsession outside of racing.
The sport offers a contrast to the intensity of professional motocross. Kitchen said he and fellow rider Malcolm Stewart often discuss fishing in Florida, noting that it allows athletes to calm down and be more present compared to the high-speed nature of dirt bike racing. He also highlighted the social atmosphere of competitive fishing events, specifically recalling that competitors at the Bassmaster Classic hung out together at the hotel bar the night before the tournament, a dynamic he said is absent from dirt bike racing.
Despite his interest in angling, Kitchen is not ready to leave supermotocross. He helped end a seven-year championship drought for Pro Circuit Kawasaki and aims for a long career in the sport. After recovering from a serious crash at Daytona in 2025, he emphasized the importance of racing smarter to protect his longevity. His goals for 2027 include winning both a Supercross and a Pro Motocross title before moving up from the 250 class.