Changes in Irish MMA over the years!

John Ferguson

A possible thread for all you guys who have been in the Irish MMA scene for donkeys years.

As things have evolved what have you seen that you like, don't like and has made you laugh over the years. What changes or things introduced have been good, bad and totally ridiculous.

Barry.Oglesby

I've been around MMA specifically since 2003. In those 8 years I've seen mostly good things, some crazy, some plain idiotic, but most, pretty good. Probably the thing I've most noticed is that when I started out, people were 20-30, moving from other martial arts into MMA and sort of discovering this new sporting format. I don't think anyone doubted it would grow but I definitely didn't think that we'd be in a position of having 2 shows a month, UFC outdoing boxing and wrestling at PPV, Irish shows with 3000 people in the arena and so on. Now we have guys who've never done anything else but MMA since they were 12, and I feel like an old fogey at shows. Everyone I meet knows about MMA.

My only real gripe is the amount of titles there are out there. I know how important to a promotion they are and I know there are various promotions vying for which one will eventually have the most significance, but it just seems to me that it may eventually head down the road of kickboxing with multiple "World" titles and so on. I would say that's one change I haven't enjoyed seeing.

The other, and here's the old fogey in me again, is that I do think there's no good sporting pathway a la boxing. You either want to be a paid fighter, or you don't.

mark.leonard

One of my likes is how much more rounded everyone is, back in the day as Barry said, we were all switching from something else; you would see a thai boxer having a go at knocking someone out from under mount, or someone with ground turning away from strikes. Biggest positive change has to be in the clinch. I have a video of an old old Ultimate Fight Night (The Paddy Mooney version), where the ref accidentally took down two hugging fighters by pulling the rope to tighten it

The only minor dislike of the way things are now to then was the camraderie we had when there was only a couple hundred people involved; we all knew each other, same faces at all the shows and reasonably tight knit. With the influx of new blood, very very welcome as it is, that has been somewhat diluted, but I like to think the old guard still feel a mild kinship having been there when it all began.

Martin Walker

Theres so much. And just to confuse things there are things i both like and dislike. For example i love how the sport has exploded and got so popular. But as a result of this i dislike that its very big now and as Mark said not as close knit. Thats a pity.
I like how people genuinley want to keep the sport regulated with the absence of a GB. Rules/ Blood Tests ect...
At the same time i dislike how some people look down on others because they "know better".
I like how professionals are far more tecnical now than they were.
I dislike how some fighters are pushed into fights far to early.
I like how CC has raised the bar for domestic promotions.
I dislike the amount of shows now. Its a bit of a joke in my opinion.
I like the fact ive met lots of really good people through MMA in Ireland and watched some epic battles between people i regard as mates.
I dislike how i ****ed up a show and drifted away from a couple of people.
I dislike how i havnt been to a show in over two years.
I like that Boards.ie keeps me informed about things at home.
I dislike how this forum is coming down with total dicks at times that spend more time slating and bitching than actually saying anything worth saying.
I like how some of the "old skool" are coming back or still competing.
I dislike how some fighters now have very little respect for each other.
I dislike "Trash Talk" and nut hugging fan boys.
I dislike how people refer to MMA as "our sport". Its just a pet hate. Its not your sport. You dont own it. Its a sport you will be part of for a short while.
But most of all i like that i found MMA in Belfast in 2002. Im glad for what it has given to me and hopefully ill get back into it some day.
So likes and dislikes but nothing major. Just rumblings....

John Ferguson

mark.leonard wrote: »

when there was only a couple hundred people involved; we all knew each other, same faces at all the shows and reasonably tight knit

That's an interesting point. How many do you reckon are involved in the scene now between fighters, coaches, promoters, etc (not including fans)?

Jason McCabe

There were some amazing rumbles in the UFR at the Elk

Usually involving emmet McNally.

The place was a bit spit in the corner but fond memories.

Production values have improved immensely.

mark.leonard

Anyone remember the UFN where Emmett and Rodney fought and broke the ring?
I think Andy Ryan knocked a guy out in a couple seconds on that show as well.

cowzerp

Every show uses a cage now unlike a 6 years ago when pretty much all the irish show's used rings-The 2 first Rumble's where even in a boxing ring

SDTimeout

Even from when I started watching / attending. Volume of tattoos have increased.

cowzerp

SDTimeout wrote: »

Even from when I started watching / attending. Volume of tattoos have increased.

It's not real MMA if no tattoos or baldies are involved

Only other way is if you have lot's of Tapout gear or better yet-A tapout Tattoo!

John Ferguson

cowzerp wrote: »

better yet-A tapout Tattoo!

I think I am right in saying that Domz McConnell has one on his neck

cowzerp

John Ferguson wrote: »

I think I am right in saying that Domz McConnell has one on his neck

HARDCORE-he won't regret that 1..

SDTimeout

cowzerp wrote: »

It's not real MMA if no tattoos or baldies are involved

Only other way is if you have lot's of Tapout gear or better yet-A tapout Tattoo!

Same way your not a jits guy unless you have loads of patches

Jason McCabe

mark.leonard wrote: »

Anyone remember the UFN where Emmett and Rodney fought and broke the ring?
l.

If I had a time machine I would not travel back to see if Jesus existed I would go back and watch this fight

manga_10

cowzerp wrote: »

HARDCORE-he won't regret that 1..

ITs the guys without the tattoos that ye have to watch out for

Jason McCabe

Only thing that comes close to a tattoo is a Mohawk

I'd like to see tap out shaved into someones eyebrows

Martin Walker

Jason McCabe wrote: »

If I had a time machine I would not travel back to see if Jesus existed I would go back and watch this fight

Did you see Martin Begley and Aiden Marron fight in the Ramble?
That was epic. Martin wobbled Aiden 3 times with big right hands before Aiden caught him against the ropes and landed an awesome knee. The sound was sickening. The fight ended with Aiden taking Martins back and sinking in the RNC to win.
There have been some monumental scraps over the years. God i miss it.

John Ferguson

I stumbled across a fight online earlier this week between Greg and Bingo. It was a cracking fight!

mark.leonard

John Ferguson wrote: »

I stumbled across a fight online earlier this week between Greg and Bingo. It was a cracking fight!

That was on Davy's show I think, I reckon I announced it, Greg was almost out on his feet for ages, then Bingo landed another big one and it "woke Greg up" Hulk Hogan style! He came back then to win it, it was pretty epic. That was the same show that Peter Duncan fought Emmett McNally another insane match

John Ferguson

Jason McCabe wrote: »

I'd like to see tap out shaved into someones eyebrows

They would need to start with a pretty big brow!!

Martin Walker

mark.leonard wrote: »

That was on Davy's show I think, I reckon I announced it, Greg was almost out on his feet for ages, then Bingo landed another big one and it "woke Greg up" Hulk Hogan style! He came back then to win it, it was pretty epic. That was the same show that Peter Duncan fought Emmett McNally another insane match

That was a cracking show. Halloween as far as i remember.
What ever happened to Abrol?
Im pretty sure Tom Haddock and Mark o`Toole fought on that show too. (not against each other of course) What ever happened to them guys?

Tim_Murphy

Who remembers the infamous "Lets get ready to Shooootooooooo" line from circa 2005 I think it was? :pac: It was worth going to Belfast to have Greg Loughran pound on me for that!

The scene was so much different then, the same heads all the time.

One of the fav memories was getting to play to heel against Chris Stringer for that BBC doc on him. :cool:

arybvtcw0eolkf

Tim_Murphy wrote: »

One of the fav memories was getting to play to heel against Chris Stringer for that BBC doc on him. :cool:

Or the time we brought the roof of the Ringside Club down with a cheer when you done your chartwheel!.

If I dug through my collection I must have every R.o.T DVD.

That was a great time to be around MMA in Ireland.

Martin Walker

Miles Melodic Mothball wrote: »

Or the time we brought the roof of the Ringside Club down with a cheer when you done your chartwheel!.

If I dug through my collection I must have every R.o.T DVD.

That was a great time to be around MMA in Ireland.

Do you have the one with the 4 man lightweight tournament in it?
That was an excellent evening. Ive been looking for it for ages.

Tim_Murphy

Miles Melodic Mothball wrote: »

Or the time we brought the roof of the Ringside Club down with a cheer when you done your chartwheel!.

If I dug through my collection I must have every R.o.T DVD.

That was a great time to be around MMA in Ireland.

I enjoyed that alright.

You wouldn't have the DVD of the RoT in the boxing stadium by any chance? I fought Navid Yousefi that night, can't remember a lot of the fight and I've never seen the video of it.

EnjoyChoke

Tim_Murphy wrote: »

I enjoyed that alright.

You wouldn't have the DVD of the RoT in the boxing stadium by any chance? I fought Navid Yousefi that night, can't remember a lot of the fight and I've never seen the video of it.

That the one where he starting showboating, right before you knocked him out?

mark.leonard

Tim_Murphy wrote: »

Who remembers the infamous "Lets get ready to Shooootooooooo" line from circa 2005 I think it was? :pac: It was worth going to Belfast to have Greg Loughran pound on me for that! .......

You are the only one who remembers that pinnacle of announcing embarrassment. At least Andy Ryan (about to ref the match) clapped for me

arybvtcw0eolkf

Tim_Murphy wrote: »

I enjoyed that alright.

You wouldn't have the DVD of the RoT in the boxing stadium by any chance? I fought Navid Yousefi that night, can't remember a lot of the fight and I've never seen the video of it.

Tim I can't even promise you I'll have a look, because like most of my stuff its been chucked around the house.. If I ever come across it, its yours.

Isn't that the one where Owen Roddy was KO'd, Brad Corbally fought too and a section of the crowd were less than sporting?.

Changes over the years, I'm not sure if I can add to those posted.

However one thing I'll mention is internet 'call outs', I'm not sure if they sit comfortably with me.

Even on the old IRMAC forum I don't recall any happening, maybe I'm just a grumpy old codger now

Tim_Murphy

EnjoyChoke wrote: »

That the one where he starting showboating, right before you knocked him out?

So I've been told but I can't honestly say I remember him doing it. I think I was in survival mode for a good bit of that fight.

Miles Melodic Mothball wrote:

Tim I can't even promise you I'll have a look, because like most of my stuff its been chucked around the house.. If I ever come across it, its yours.

Isn't that the one where Owen Roddy was KO'd, Brad Corbally fought too and a section of the crowd were less than sporting?.

Thanks man, that would be great if you had it. I've always wanted to see that fight again. Ya, same show that Roddy was KO'd. I've actually some great pictures of that section of the crowd with my mom after I'd won. That was before they got rowdy of course.

PADRAIC.M

Miles Melodic Mothball wrote: »

Tim_Murphy wrote: »

I enjoyed that alright.

You wouldn't have the DVD of the RoT in the boxing stadium by any chance? I fought Navid Yousefi that night, can't remember a lot of the fight and I've never seen the video of it.

Tim I can't even promise you I'll have a look, because like most of my stuff its been chucked around the house.. If I ever come across it, its yours.

Isn't that the one where Owen Roddy was KO'd, Brad Corbally fought too and a section of the crowd were less than sporting?.

Changes over the years, I'm not sure if I can add to those posted.

However one thing I'll mention is internet 'call outs', I'm not sure if they sit comfortably with me.

Even on the old IRMAC forum I don't recall any happening, maybe I'm just a grumpy old codger now

I have the backflip/ cartwheel pass you landed on DVD Tim, don't think I have yousefi fight, that's the one you were rocked numerous times but still came back to win ? Cracking fight though

Tim_Murphy

mark.leonard wrote: »

You are the only one who remembers that pinnacle of announcing embarrassment. At least Andy Ryan (about to ref the match) clapped for me

Mark everybody remembers it.