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Paddy Holohan Retired
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25-04-2016 1:32pm#1Massive shock but Paddy Holohan has retired due to a medical condition he had rendering him unable to pass a medical. Genuinely such a nice guy i wish him all the best, another irishman bites the dust!
Paddy Holohan
8 mins ·I've known this announcement was coming for a week or more now and it has only felt worse the more I have thought about it.
I am forced to retire from MMA.
I was born with a factor missing in my blood called Factor XIII. I never disclosed it then or now, it came the UFC attention from a third party and I can no longer pass the medical requirements to compete, only 1 in 5 million people are diagnosed so I knew that it was so rare, organisations wouldn't understand or take the chance with me as I have found out now, I never explained in full to John or my team the actual risks cause I didn't think there was excess risk .
It is a disorder that is only dangerous for me not my opponents.
I really did see MMA as the way to have a real shot at life for myself and my family and it turns out I was right.
I have mixed emotions about it:
• Proud because I always wore my heart on my sleeve, stood my ground, never cheated, never turned away from diversity or challenges and always strived to inspire and encourage people from all backgrounds.
• Sad because I will never make that walk again, under those lights, feeling all those uncomfortable yet life giving feelings as they count and you hear "walk walk walk" staring into a camera, knowing millions are watching but most importantly the Irish are watching.
I am also disappointed because people who have cheated within the sport due to PEDs etc putting their opponents in extra danger will fight again, whereas for me it's a genetic 1 in 5 million disorder that stops me dead in my tracks.
I really feel I was only turning the corner in my fight career and I still have so much more to give!
Thanks to all of my team over the past 9 years at SBG. My coach John who backed me regardless when I had nothing but effort to offer him in payment, it's been an incredible journey for this council kid!
To all the Irish people and people of my home town of Tallaght who have always caught my falls and helped me back to my feet, I am forever grateful to those people who have backed me through thick and thin.
This journey has made me the man I am today.
Paddy "The Hooligan" Holohan.
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Absolute sickner! Paddy is a legend! Will never forget UFC Dublin, what an epic night for him. Actually, will have to watch it back after that announcement
Also, nice tribute from Ariel:
Ariel Helwani @arielhelwani 11m11 minutes ago Paddy is one of the best people I've met in life, period. An amazing man. Honored to have covered him. Raise a cup of tea for ya, Paddy!0 -
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Join Date:Posts: 29920
Gutted...
I don't know Paddy but I met him a few times when he was fighting on Cage Contenders. He headlined the night a few times and had a real habit of ending fights in the first round. He put his opponent away that night inside the first minute and I asked him backstage if he was late for a feckin' bus or something. He gave me that big toothy grin of his and laughed. I can tell you, of all the fighters I ever met Paddy is the one who is the same on the stage, off it, having a pint, winning a belt, whatever. No pretensions, no ego, genuinely a warm person who just *loves* to compete. He makes everyone around him feel better.
His nickname of The Hooligan always made me smile, you couldn't meet someone who was less of a hooligan if you walked the length of Ireland
He's also one of the best BJJ practitioners I've ever seen and from my limited knowledge, the most creative. Paddy is always scary on his back, he's got legs like Dhalsim
I don't want to be too personal, like I said I only met the man a couple of times .. its not like we're drinking buddies, but Paddy always looked after his son. He takes his role as a father very seriously and has mentioned if a few times in passing that he trains and fights for a better life for his son. His fighting makes him a champion, but in my eyes, that makes him a hero.
Terrible sad news but this is only the end of a chapter for Paddy, he's just too focused to do anything but succeed in what he does next.0 -
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSyZF0rnj9U
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