No, the leg raising upwards ruins his stability. Fury would still land on top of him, that's not his goal. He's trying to hurt Fury as much as possible before the grapple on the ground happens.

In effect he's kneeing Fury's shoulder to cause it pain, possibly dislocate it, and make it less effective, as well as delivering a blow to the top of his head as they're careening towards the ground. Again, to make him less effective. 

However, the cost of this sort of assault is a guaranteed lower body pin. If they were in a ring, Kanitah wouldn't have considered this as it would instantly put him to the mat. But, since they're outside in what's comparable to a random street fight, it's a useful move. Because there's nobody there to start count down because he's pinned.