Well, thats that then

Roper

Hey I'm supposed to be studying here but I thought I'd take a mo to say thanks to any boardsters who shouted out for me last night. I thought I could hear a few "Go Roper"! shouts among the people who actually knew me. As you guys all know I train in my own gym K.O. Martial Arts and I have to thank all the guys and gals from there for their help and support. Also all the lads from SBGN for adopting me a few months ago and John for cornering me (and taping one of my hands and having to leg it to corner for Karl!) and Andy for making me go neck deep and making me train when I was "dizzy" by calling me things you can't type on a forum. And Leigh Stewart who cuts an imposing figure in the opposite corner- ripped to bits that lad, made me feel flabby round the middle- and being such a good sportsman before during and after.
Anyway- the fight, I was cacking myself but the takedown was easy I reckon cos I've been taking down so many big dudes! He went for a triangle choke and I was totally relaxed, I didn't panic and go for a slam or some dumb ass spaz out escape- I might have a few months ago, I just relaxed and listend to I think it was John D my corner ("hip heavy-posture") and just walked out of it and passed his guard. Then the finish I did on auto pilot I honestly don't really remember it. I watched it this morning and I was like "Hey I don't remember pushing his head down, or clearing his leg like that" It was weird.

3 strange moments:
1) He comes out swinging and I'm still in the dressing room I think because he lands a big right hand that actually rocks me a bit. So I time his next one and shoot under, once I hit the ground all I can think is "Man that would have been embarrassing if he'd have ko'ed me there!", and I actually chuckle- in the fight, I chuckle to myself- must have been the adrenaline, or the insanity.
2) I'm passing his guard and as I go by I accidentally knee him in the head. He goes "ugh", so I go "Sorry Leigh", and he says "Thats okay..." fVcking weird. We had a laugh about that afterwards.
3) I have the armbar on and I see his other arm about to tap,and the ref takes a step forward as if to stop it, so I go into training mode and I ease off a bit. He feels it and his hand goes back down and he starts to try and escape again... ****!... Good thing I kept a good grip because on the vid I can see him just about get to his knees, he would have been in position A for an escape then!

Colm_OReilly

Thanks for the report Roper.

For my part:
1)yes you were looking a little tubby, no where near close to winning the most ripped fighter award
2)I muttered to Shane "fvcking tool" when it looked like you were going to get triangled. You defended well tho.
3)I still like you,

Cake Fiend

Did anyone get it on cam? The people demand Youtubery!

arybvtcw0eolkf

Cake Fiend wrote:

Did anyone get it on cam?

Yes.

Package

congrats roper,,, is it up on youtube?

HammerHeadGym

GO on Barry! Nice one mate!

Colm_OReilly

A production company filmed this whose name escapes me, but the MC informed people it would be available to purchase in 3-4 weeks.

JK, feel free to sell this at the All Valley.

spiral

Smash and grab productions is what the cameraman had on his t-shirt.

Khannie

Congrats Roper.

Millionaire

Well done Roper!

Whats the youtube.com link????

Roper

Theres youtubery afoot? Where?

Im2Lazy

Well done Barry !

Nice fight all though I was thinking the same as you after that right hand, how funny would that have been if he had have been ko'd there.

See you on Tuesday or will you be taking it easy?

Roper

No I'll be training Tuesday as per. MMA League is on Saturday so there'll be training aplenty.

crazy monkey

roper well done...I was unable to cheer for you as I had a mic in my hand...but well done...I knew you could beat him...

No offense to leigh...who as you said, Roper, is a terrific and friendly lad...

eh colm o reilly-'the mc told me'....is that all I am to you, an mc?nice plug for the all valley tournament tho...

The company that filmed the event are called smash and grab productions [I am almost certain I mentioned their name about 4 times]and I'm sure if you pm Ireland's first bjj black john kavanagh he'll pass you there details ..

In closing roper, you don't need to be ripped to be able to fight...and you proved that well...just kidding...well done and keep training....see you in the next ROT I hope.....

Colm_OReilly

eh colm o reilly-'the mc told me'....is that all I am to you, an mc?nice plug for the all valley tournament tho...

I knew you before you were an MC, so you're more to me than an MC. If I just said Keith told me it wouldn't be a reputable souce, but "the MC" is a position of power.

Colm
-deliberating on every word.

Roper

Gents, there is photographic evidence to prove my ripped-ness. I did what I had to do to be 77kgs, and remember, I'm still the handsomnest man that ever stepped into that ring...

Khannie

Roper wrote:

and remember, I'm still the handsomnest man that ever stepped into that ring...

...Most modest too.

Colm_OReilly

Roper wrote:

Gents, there is photographic evidence to prove my ripped-ness. I did what I had to do to be 77kgs, and remember, I'm still the handsomnest man that ever stepped into that ring...

Blatantly untrue

Dragan

Ah guys, go easy on poor Roper. He was lean, nicely lean, far leaner than me to be honest!!!! Sure he wasn't "ripped" but history tells us that being ripped won't save you from a deft armbar.

Roper

What is going on with the debate on my rippededness? Weren't any of you looking at my beautiful face? Jeez...

Dragan, Colm is gently chiding me because he's not as pretty as me.

Dragan

Roper wrote:

Dragan, Colm is gently chiding me because he's not as pretty as me.

AH!!!! I get that a lot as well, it ain't easy being beautiful man.

sparta

Original Photo Courtesy of ShaneT

Roper

:d :d