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Now Ye're Talking - to John Kavanagh

  • 26-06-2017 11:07am
    #1
    Boards.ie Employee Posts: 12,597 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Boards.ie Community Manager


    John Kavanagh is Ireland's first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, Ireland's first MMA fighter in the cage and Ireland's first Coach of a UFC Champion.

    Having trained as a mechanical engineer he decided to leave the engineering world behind him and pursue his passion for mixed martial arts.

    John runs SBG Ireland, Ireland's first full time Martial Arts facility. It is home to UFC's Conor McGregor and a plethora of MMA superstars. Conor McGregor began training at SBG in 2008 under John. The journey John has been on has been incredible, and he'll be here on boards.ie from the 27th - 29th June to answer your questions about it. He's been spotted around the MMA forum from time to time so he's well used to boards (and boardsies)!

    We're opening up the AMA a day early so there will be some questions ready when he logs in tomorrow :) Thanks John!

    420776.png

    As with all AMAs, you can ask anything but John is not under any obligation to answer everything. If your question or a similar question has already been asked and answered, he may not have time to answer yours too. Enjoy!


«13456

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11,812 ✭✭✭✭evolving_doors


    What music/songs would you swear by to get psyched before a bout ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 657 ✭✭✭sally cinnamon89


    James Gallagher looked very impressive at the weekend, How far can the kid go?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,482 ✭✭✭✭Ush1


    Favourite technique to see in an MMA fight?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 302 ✭✭jjdonegal


    Really enjoyed your first book John; anything tentatively planned for the future?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,708 ✭✭✭✭Mr. CooL ICE


    With so many fighters fighting everywhere, often at multiple events on the same night, you can't possibly be everywhere. How do you go about delegating corner duties?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,960 ✭✭✭✭Zero-Cool


    After the Mayweather fight, if the decision was solely yours, would you have Conor fight for WW belt, Defend LW (against who?) or give Max another go at FW?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,209 ✭✭✭maximoose


    What do you think of Ido Portal?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,773 ✭✭✭connemara man


    How quickly is MMA growing in Ireland? Do the MMA community find it annoying that McGregor doesn't get the recognition that he deserves?


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Hi John thanks for taking time out to talk to us :) Also I really enjoyed your book Win or Learn, it was really interesting reading about starting out in a shed and then the gym rising to what it is today.

    Do you think Conor will return to UFC after fighting Floyd?

    Any up and comers in your gym worth keeping an eye out for in the future?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 717 ✭✭✭Phoenix Wright


    Are there any young Irish MMA fighters worth keeping an eye out for over the next few years? I would love to see another Irishman rise through a division like Conor did at 145.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,214 ✭✭✭bungaro79


    john, after reading your book i was really impressed with your description of the fixed and growth mindset and how you related it to your coaching. being a primary school teacher, it is so great to be able to show my class how an irish person they know of can reach the apex of their field by working hard and being willing to adapt and learn. i love when training in bjj the lack of ego it brings, when trying to motivate a class you have, how would you go about getting them to accept failure and letting it go??


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11,348 ✭✭✭✭ricero


    Which current ufc fighter (not part of team sbg) do you find most exciting to watch fight ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,710 ✭✭✭✭Paully D


    Hi John, thanks for doing this.

    Impressive win for James Gallagher at the weekend, but one of the main criticisms labelled at James is that he imitates Conor McGregor outside the cage far too much and he is not being himself or original.

    While it is only natural that he would look up to a teammate he has seen rise through the ranks from a young age, do you feel that this perception will impact on his ability to capture the imagination of the fans like Conor did? You look at the likes of Paddy, Ais, Cathal - all did their own thing but were and still are extremely popular.

    It in a way it feels like James is not getting the credit he deserves nor the support from the public that a young kid with his record and accomplishments to date deserves, seemingly almost entirely because it feels he is not being natural or himself. I am admittedly guilty of it myself.

    Can you comment on this as a whole?

    Thanks John.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,409 ✭✭✭✭endacl


    Why so fighty?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,559 ✭✭✭RoboRat


    What are your views on the 10th planet JJ style? I like it but I have seen too many people popping their knees doing rubber guard and also destroying opponents knees.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,443 ✭✭✭califano


    1.) Have you recently ever had to tell a member who has/had great aspirations of making it in the pro ranks that they are not going to make it?.

    2.) Bones get broken easier than people believe. With the considerable club gym membership numbers and long opening hours approximately how many limbs were broken accidentally in the gym in the last 12 months?.

    3.) Tell us an amusing tale that happened to you in your early fighting days when you travelled alone to the UK to fight?.

    4.) Do you ever yearn to take 6-12 months away and go travelling?. Would this be possible?.

    5.) What is the beef between you and Noel O'Keeffe about?.

    Thanks for doing this.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,663 ✭✭✭JoeyJJ


    Thanks for your time.

    1. Will Conor use any familiar names to boxing world for sparring in LA/LV before Floyd?
    2. Will Dillon Dannis be a SBG fighter ?
    3. What was your take on Chiesa choke out on Sunday night?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,583 ✭✭✭Swashbuckler


    Thanks for taking the time to do this John.

    With the emergence of Conor, it has also cast you into the spotlight. I have often wondered what are your thoughts to your tweets and every comment you make in the media being dissected to the nth degree?

    Is it something you pay much heed to, do you just laugh it off are have you at times thought, yeah maybe I shouldn't have said that?


  • Moderators, Music Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,734 Mod ✭✭✭✭Boom_Bap


    Hi John,

    Have you found that there are more people joining up to the gym now and throwing in the towel after a few sessions because of the hard work involved?..or because they don't want to roll?

    Anyone to watch coming out of SBG?

    Anyone to watch coming out of other gyms?

    What is the balance of BJJ/Boxing/Muai Thai/Kick Boxing that you do, is there a larger focus on any of the disciplines?

    Daddy or chips?

    Cheers


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 465 ✭✭Fox Hound


    What is the best and worst experience you have had in your Career so far?


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  • Company Representative Posts: 64 Verified rep JohnSBG


    Gebgbegb wrote: »
    What music/songs would you swear by to get psyched before a bout ?

    individual choice...but i prefer they listen to soft music.
    James Gallagher looked very impressive at the weekend, How far can the kid go?

    i can see him being a 2 weight champ
    Ush1 wrote: »
    Favourite technique to see in an MMA fight?

    RNC
    jjdonegal wrote: »
    Really enjoyed your first book John; anything tentatively planned for the future?

    nothing planned..but a lot asking!
    With so many fighters fighting everywhere, often at multiple events on the same night, you can't possibly be everywhere. How do you go about delegating corner duties?

    i'll always go with fighter who's been with me longest. after that i tell them to bring someone they're comfortable with.
    Zero-Cool wrote: »
    After the Mayweather fight, if the decision was solely yours, would you have Conor fight for WW belt, Defend LW (against who?) or give Max another go at FW?

    defend lw against nate or whoever is considered no.1 guy at the time.
    maximoose wrote: »
    What do you think of Ido Portal?

    very interesting person
    How quickly is MMA growing in Ireland? Do the MMA community find it annoying that McGregor doesn't get the recognition that he deserves?

    i think we get good recognition?
    Hi John thanks for taking time out to talk to us :) Also I really enjoyed your book Win or Learn, it was really interesting reading about starting out in a shed and then the gym rising to what it is today.

    Do you think Conor will return to UFC after fighting Floyd?

    Any up and comers in your gym worth keeping an eye out for in the future?

    yes. all of them!
    bungaro79 wrote: »
    john, after reading your book i was really impressed with your description of the fixed and growth mindset and how you related it to your coaching. being a primary school teacher, it is so great to be able to show my class how an irish person they know of can reach the apex of their field by working hard and being willing to adapt and learn. i love when training in bjj the lack of ego it brings, when trying to motivate a class you have, how would you go about getting them to accept failure and letting it go??

    by exposing them to failure often.
    ricero wrote: »
    Which current ufc fighter (not part of team sbg) do you find most exciting to watch fight ?

    Maia


  • Company Representative Posts: 64 Verified rep JohnSBG


    Paully D wrote: »
    Hi John, thanks for doing this.

    Impressive win for James Gallagher at the weekend, but one of the main criticisms labelled at James is that he imitates Conor McGregor outside the cage far too much and he is not being himself or original.

    While it is only natural that he would look up to a teammate he has seen rise through the ranks from a young age, do you feel that this perception will impact on his ability to capture the imagination of the fans like Conor did? You look at the likes of Paddy, Ais, Cathal - all did their own thing but were and still are extremely popular.

    It in a way it feels like James is not getting the credit he deserves nor the support from the public that a young kid with his record and accomplishments to date deserves, seemingly almost entirely because it feels he is not being natural or himself. I am admittedly guilty of it myself.

    Can you comment on this as a whole?

    Thanks John.

    he's 20
    7-0
    highly paid
    just fought in MSG
    he's doing ok ;)
    endacl wrote: »
    Why so fighty?

    why noty?
    RoboRat wrote: »
    What are your views on the 10th planet JJ style? I like it but I have seen too many people popping their knees doing rubber guard and also destroying opponents knees.

    i dont like styles that require an exceptional physical attribute. attributes fade with time
    califano wrote: »
    1.) Have you recently ever had to tell a member who has/had great aspirations of making it in the pro ranks that they are not going to make it?.

    2.) Bones get broken easier than people believe. With the considerable club gym membership numbers and long opening hours approximately how many limbs were broken accidentally in the gym in the last 12 months?.

    3.) Tell us an amusing tale that happened to you in your early fighting days when you travelled alone to the UK to fight?.

    4.) Do you ever yearn to take 6-12 months away and go travelling?. Would this be possible?.

    5.) What is the beef between you and Noel O'Keeffe about?.

    Thanks for doing this.

    - yes
    - i cant remember a bone being broke at all. maybe the odd finger.
    - after making 65kgs same day weigh in i rehydrated by eating 2 L dominoes. not smart!
    - yes...but not possible!
    JoeyJJ wrote: »
    Thanks for your time.

    1. Will Conor use any familiar names to boxing world for sparring in LA/LV before Floyd?
    2. Will Dillon Dannis be a SBG fighter ?
    3. What was your take on Chiesa choke out on Sunday night?

    - yes some big names.
    - you'd have to ask him
    - i didnt actually see it. but a ref should never stop a choke until fighter clearly out
    Thanks for taking the time to do this John.

    With the emergence of Conor, it has also cast you into the spotlight. I have often wondered what are your thoughts to your tweets and every comment you make in the media being dissected to the nth degree?

    Is it something you pay much heed to, do you just laugh it off are have you at times thought, yeah maybe I shouldn't have said that?

    its been a steep learning curve!
    Boom_Bap wrote: »
    Hi John,

    Have you found that there are more people joining up to the gym now and throwing in the towel after a few sessions because of the hard work involved?..or because they don't want to roll?

    Anyone to watch coming out of SBG?

    Anyone to watch coming out of other gyms?

    What is the balance of BJJ/Boxing/Muai Thai/Kick Boxing that you do, is there a larger focus on any of the disciplines?

    Daddy or chips?

    Cheers

    - we've a good foundation program where we ease people into training so have very little drop outs.
    - yes, all them
    - john mitchell bjj cork
    - tailored to the fighter's need
    - huh?
    Fox Hound wrote: »
    What is the best and worst experience you have had in your Career so far?

    - UFC Dublin best
    - worst http://www.sherdog.com/events/Rings-Bushido-Ireland-2963


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,711 ✭✭✭cloudatlas


    How much 'failure' 'learning' is too much?

    Why have you elected not to engage a boxing coach for the Mayweather fight? (if that is true)

    What is your favourite kung fu film?


  • Company Representative Posts: 64 Verified rep JohnSBG


    cloudatlas wrote: »
    How much 'failure' 'learning' is too much?

    Why have you elected not to engage a boxing coach for the Mayweather fight? (if that is true)

    What is your favourite kung fu film?

    - leading up to a fight fighter should experience success but outside 'camp' cant have enough failure
    - no boxing coach has successfully trained a fighter to beat him. we want to try new approach
    - Zatochi. technically a jiu jitsu movie i suppose.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,510 ✭✭✭Hazys


    What impact did the tragic death of João Carvalho have on you, your fighters in the gym and on Charlie Ward? Did it change anything in how you trained or prepared for a fight, reinforce the possible risks, made your fighters more cautious about the sport?


  • Posts: 3,637 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Hi John,

    Great to see another 'Salle man making his mark on the world. I remember 25 or so years back we all thought you were like some weird Irish Bruce Lee meets Van Damme hybrid. Couldn't quite understand what this MMA you spoke of was all about but it's clear to see you were well ahead of the curve. Congrats on all the achievements and success you've worked hard for over the years.

    Just one question: Would Arnie ever really have stood a chance if he tried to kick your ass up to Chas? ;)

    DLS Churchtown, Class of '96


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,510 ✭✭✭Hazys


    With MMA being so competitive these days to be a top fighter you basically have to be all in, training 24/7, making a lot of sacrifices and only a small amount of the top fighters make enough to live comfortably once they retire. Do you worry that fighters can get so invested in the game that they can't turn it off and know when to hang up their gloves and some have sacrificed so much for MMA they are left with little alternatives when they retire? Its was kinda sad to see BJ Penn being a shadow of himself at the weekend and you wish he could retire and move to another chapter of his life.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,587 ✭✭✭The White Feather


    1. Why does Jesus love knockouts so much and does the Devil love submissions?

    2. I am doing BJJ but wonder how much cardio and strength training to do.If I train in BJJ 3 times a week, how do I get the balance right and not be too tired for the actual BJJ class!

    3. I think I saw you say that you didn't like the analogy of BJJ is like Chess. Why not?

    4. When I was young, I used to play fight with my older brother. He would annoy me by intentionally punching my hands so I would give up. Have you thought of Conor punching Floyd's brittle hands to make him drop them or give up?!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 451 ✭✭Alicano


    Hey John.

    Thanks for all the excitement and enjoyment you and your team have provided in recent years.
    Some non mma questions if that's ok?

    1)6 celebrity/ non celebrity dinner table guests? Alive or dead.
    2)At what time of the day does afternoon become evening?
    3)Last 3 dialled people on your mobile :-)

    Thanks again and best wishes with everything ahead.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 39,900 ✭✭✭✭Mellor


    Thank so for doing this John.

    - What was the highlight of your recent trip to Australia?

    - You were Ireland first BJJ blackbelt, at latest count there are now over 50 Irish Black belts. How many have you promoted? (Included your students who revieved their belt from Matt).

    - The UFC frequently mentions that Gunni received his blackbelt from Renzo. Were you involved in that promotion at all? Was it simply because he was in NYC at the time. Or was it a decision so that he could compete at IBJJF worlds? (2nd degree blackbelt verification rules)


  • Moderators, Music Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,734 Mod ✭✭✭✭Boom_Bap


    What's your favorite submission in BJJ?
    Is there a favorite 'move' that you like?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,826 ✭✭✭Inviere


    No specific questions I can think of John, but I would like to thank you for your (big) part in the McGregor saga. Between you all at SBG, you've provided one hell of a show for us, and I'm sure I speak for many here in saying that there's been some quality moments over the years; Mendez, Aldo, Diaz 1, Diaz 2, Alvarez (to name the most recent ones), & no doubt we'll be watching the Mayweather thing with baited breath.

    As an aside, I thought the Diaz 2 fight was a stunning piece of teamwork.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 384 ✭✭vapor trails


    Things are pretty good in the country economically now and I'm sure you'd admit to a fair degree than Conor has been a huge part in the growth and success of SBG & MMA as a whole. As fellow business owner (I'm in retail) how hard did things get during 2008-2011 ? That rates bill coming in for your big gym must have been painful & I can only imagine that young lad's getting €188 off the dole each week couldn't have been very reliable for their membership fee's.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,499 ✭✭✭Sabre0001


    Going to be a casual pleb here...

    What was McGregor like when you first encountered him? Did you always think that he was destined for greatness or what were the standout qualities in him that have gotten him to where he is?

    And how has he changed? His first post on Boards indicates there was always that element of showmanship in him :D

    🤪



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 58 ✭✭blapabrew22


    You're banished to an island for a year (not Ireland!) however before dropped off, you're allowed to bring one of each of your favourite things. What would you bring for the following:

    Food
    Movie
    Book
    Person
    Drink
    Album


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 65 ✭✭Notorious93


    Hi John,

    2 questions...

    Do you think MMA would be viable as an Olympic sport?

    Also wondering, is there any of Conor's past opponents that you and Conor have developed a good relationship with post-fight that ye keep in contact with now and again? I'll assume that Jose is not one of them!


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    I have listened to Sam Harris and Jocko Willink talk about BJJ in the most reverential of tones. Describing it as less a fighting style and more an almost philosophical religious like experience. A way of life more than a mere sport. This would be one example of Harris writing about it.

    Have you heard any of their material on this and would you agree with or understand where they are coming from on it?

    They seem to think that more so than any other fighting style too - there is no real "Pinnacle" to reach as even at the height your game you learn something new every time you get to the mat?

    What would it take to beat Jocko ? :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,924 ✭✭✭wonderfullife


    1. Without giving away any specific gameplans, do you think Conor's corkscrew lead uppercut/left cross can land cleanly against any fighter?

    2. Do you think Sinead Kavanagh rushed things when she dropped her opponent with that right hook at Bellator 173? As in would she have been better to stand her up on wobbly legs than diving into her guard?

    3. Do you see any similarities in terms of a learning experience between Sinead's defeat and Conor's loss to Sitenkov at a similar stage in his career?

    4. Are you excited by your new Lynx/SBG partnership and what can it do for the team other than ensure you all smell good lol? Will a Lynx logo be on the next batch of t-shirts and, if so, when are they out?

    5. Was the criticism you took for not being in Artem's corner for the Swanson fight unfair? I criticized you a lot for that scheduling conflict. My opinion was based on flight times from Sydney to Nashville being shorter than Sydney to Dublin.

    6. Is Richie Smullen in good shape for Rhys McKee and a prediction? I'm thinking sub Round 1, overly optimistic?

    7. Do you think Conor's jiujitsu is under-rated because he normally flattens his opponents and we don't get to see a lot of it? People point to Sitenkov, Duffy and Nate but on the flip-side he dominated Max positionally and his modified X-Guard sweep against Nate was great.

    8. Some "experts" in the MMA Forum here are saying that you are "completely useless" for the Floyd camp because you don't come from a boxing/striking background and you don't have the faintest notion about boxing and then they mention Pendred as an example to prove their point. Then the likes of Luke Thomas kept on calling Dillon "Conor's BJJ Coach" and he wasn't the only media member doing it.

    Do you ever get fed up of people trying to diminish your role or influence?

    9. Any concerns stylistically for Charlie for the Galore Bofando fight? Bofando's a KO-artist with a ridiculously good right hook and left high kick and Charlie is coming off a stoppage loss. I would have preferred to see him go in with a grappler not a striker.

    10. Have you noticed any change in Gunni and Conor since they had their kids?

    Thanks. Sorry for the essay. Hope you're keeping well.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,959 ✭✭✭✭scudzilla


    Few questions here John, i've steered clear of the MMA/Conor questions, sure you'll have enough of them

    1. What did ya think of GnR at Slane (even though ya were probably sat in the Prawn Sandwich area) and apart from GnR, what other bands are you into.

    2. What's your favourite type of cheese??

    I also trained as a Mechanical Engineer, and was set for a good career as a toolmaker, gave it up after 4yrs as hated working in a factory, do you still remember how to work a lathe/milling machine?


  • Site Banned Posts: 31 Brad Bobley


    What's your favorite humming noise?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,717 ✭✭✭✭Muahahaha


    Hi John, thanks for doing this. All I ask is you tell Roddy his fight week vlogs are superb and ask him to get filming again for the Floyd fight.


  • Company Representative Posts: 64 Verified rep JohnSBG


    Hazys wrote: »
    With MMA being so competitive these days to be a top fighter you basically have to be all in, training 24/7, making a lot of sacrifices and only a small amount of the top fighters make enough to live comfortably once they retire. Do you worry that fighters can get so invested in the game that they can't turn it off and know when to hang up their gloves and some have sacrificed so much for MMA they are left with little alternatives when they retire? Its was kinda sad to see BJ Penn being a shadow of himself at the weekend and you wish he could retire and move to another chapter of his life.

    penn not fighting for money, fighters need to find something to fill the hole.
    1. Why does Jesus love knockouts so much and does the Devil love submissions?

    2. I am doing BJJ but wonder how much cardio and strength training to do.If I train in BJJ 3 times a week, how do I get the balance right and not be too tired for the actual BJJ class!

    3. I think I saw you say that you didn't like the analogy of BJJ is like Chess. Why not?

    4. When I was young, I used to play fight with my older brother. He would annoy me by intentionally punching my hands so I would give up. Have you thought of Conor punching Floyd's brittle hands to make him drop them or give up?!!

    - perhaps
    - none, just roll
    - i'm re-warming to it
    - i'll keep that in mind
    Alicano wrote: »
    Hey John.

    Thanks for all the excitement and enjoyment you and your team have provided in recent years.
    Some non mma questions if that's ok?

    1)6 celebrity/ non celebrity dinner table guests? Alive or dead.
    2)At what time of the day does afternoon become evening?
    3)Last 3 dialled people on your mobile :-)

    Thanks again and best wishes with everything ahead.

    hitchens, harris, david hume, dawkins, Darwin and billy Connolly for the craic
    5pm
    audie, my bro james and lynn hunter
    Mellor wrote: »
    Thank so for doing this John.

    - What was the highlight of your recent trip to Australia?

    - You were Ireland first BJJ blackbelt, at latest count there are now over 50 Irish Black belts. How many have you promoted? (Included your students who revieved their belt from Matt).

    - The UFC frequently mentions that Gunni received his blackbelt from Renzo. Were you involved in that promotion at all? Was it simply because he was in NYC at the time. Or was it a decision so that he could compete at IBJJF worlds? (2nd degree blackbelt verification rules)

    - seeing orlagh's reaction to getting to swim with dolphins
    - 9
    - honestly not sure, just kinda happened.
    Boom_Bap wrote: »
    What's your favorite submission in BJJ?
    Is there a favorite 'move' that you like?

    guillotines
    Things are pretty good in the country economically now and I'm sure you'd admit to a fair degree than Conor has been a huge part in the growth and success of SBG & MMA as a whole. As fellow business owner (I'm in retail) how hard did things get during 2008-2011 ? That rates bill coming in for your big gym must have been painful & I can only imagine that young lad's getting €188 off the dole each week couldn't have been very reliable for their membership fee's.

    I barely kept my head above water up until the last 3yrs. thankfully my hobby turned into a business that could support me and my (soon to be) family
    You're banished to an island for a year (not Ireland!) however before dropped off, you're allowed to bring one of each of your favourite things. What would you bring for the following:

    Food
    Movie
    Book
    Person
    Drink
    Album

    coco pops
    Leon
    brief history of almost everything
    orlagh
    Guinness
    appetite for destruction
    Hi John,

    2 questions...

    Do you think MMA would be viable as an Olympic sport?

    Also wondering, is there any of Conor's past opponents that you and Conor have developed a good relationship with post-fight that ye keep in contact with now and again? I'll assume that Jose is not one of them!

    yes
    no
    I have listened to Sam Harris and Jocko Willink talk about BJJ in the most reverential of tones. Describing it as less a fighting style and more an almost philosophical religious like experience. A way of life more than a mere sport. This would be one example of Harris writing about it.

    Have you heard any of their material on this and would you agree with or understand where they are coming from on it?

    They seem to think that more so than any other fighting style too - there is no real "Pinnacle" to reach as even at the height your game you learn something new every time you get to the mat?

    What would it take to beat Jocko ? :)

    yes but impossible to explain to someone who doesn't train it. you know or you don't.
    i'd love to train with jocko - I imagine be like trying to control an angry bear


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33 im6foot4


    What's your take on the Law of Attraction, and do you implement it in your philosophy of teaching?


  • Company Representative Posts: 64 Verified rep JohnSBG


    1. Without giving away any specific gameplans, do you think Conor's corkscrew lead uppercut/left cross can land cleanly against any fighter?

    2. Do you think Sinead Kavanagh rushed things when she dropped her opponent with that right hook at Bellator 173? As in would she have been better to stand her up on wobbly legs than diving into her guard?

    3. Do you see any similarities in terms of a learning experience between Sinead's defeat and Conor's loss to Sitenkov at a similar stage in his career?

    4. Are you excited by your new Lynx/SBG partnership and what can it do for the team other than ensure you all smell good lol? Will a Lynx logo be on the next batch of t-shirts and, if so, when are they out?

    5. Was the criticism you took for not being in Artem's corner for the Swanson fight unfair? I criticized you a lot for that scheduling conflict. My opinion was based on flight times from Sydney to Nashville being shorter than Sydney to Dublin.

    6. Is Richie Smullen in good shape for Rhys McKee and a prediction? I'm thinking sub Round 1, overly optimistic?

    7. Do you think Conor's jiujitsu is under-rated because he normally flattens his opponents and we don't get to see a lot of it? People point to Sitenkov, Duffy and Nate but on the flip-side he dominated Max positionally and his modified X-Guard sweep against Nate was great.

    8. Some "experts" in the MMA Forum here are saying that you are "completely useless" for the Floyd camp because you don't come from a boxing/striking background and you don't have the faintest notion about boxing and then they mention Pendred as an example to prove their point. Then the likes of Luke Thomas kept on calling Dillon "Conor's BJJ Coach" and he wasn't the only media member doing it.

    Do you ever get fed up of people trying to diminish your role or influence?

    9. Any concerns stylistically for Charlie for the Galore Bofando fight? Bofando's a KO-artist with a ridiculously good right hook and left high kick and Charlie is coming off a stoppage loss. I would have preferred to see him go in with a grappler not a striker.

    10. Have you noticed any change in Gunni and Conor since they had their kids?

    Thanks. Sorry for the essay. Hope you're keeping well.

    - not suitable for Mayweather
    - a lot went wrong there
    - yes, she's grappling a lot more
    - yes its a great opportunity. I don't know about the Ts tbh
    - everyone entitled to opinion. artem knows what was up so his opinion only one that matters to me
    - rhys very good fighter and beat smullen at ammy level. that being said I do think 1st rd sub
    - agreed
    - no I don't mind. as long as the fighter gets the result that's all that matters to me.
    - its another tough one. but i'm just glad we got another shot
    - yes

    no worries


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,388 ✭✭✭✭Jayop


    Ha, we have the same favourite book. I must have read it 5 times now.


  • Company Representative Posts: 64 Verified rep JohnSBG


    scudzilla wrote: »
    Few questions here John, i've steered clear of the MMA/Conor questions, sure you'll have enough of them

    1. What did ya think of GnR at Slane (even though ya were probably sat in the Prawn Sandwich area) and apart from GnR, what other bands are you into.

    2. What's your favourite type of cheese??

    I also trained as a Mechanical Engineer, and was set for a good career as a toolmaker, gave it up after 4yrs as hated working in a factory, do you still remember how to work a lathe/milling machine?

    - amazing. Kaleo.
    - cheddar
    - I don't think i'd be much good
    im6foot4 wrote: »
    What's your take on the Law of Attraction, and do you implement it in your philosophy of teaching?

    hard work a lot more important.


  • Moderators, Music Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,734 Mod ✭✭✭✭Boom_Bap


    Is there a rumour that you'd like the fine folk of boards to start to mess with Floyd's camp? You know, just to see how far it can go :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 39,458 ✭✭✭✭PTH2009


    What's your opinion on pro wrestling, does the goofy storylines, odd characters and perception that it's fake take away from the athleticism and hard work that the guys and gals put in ????


  • Company Representative Posts: 64 Verified rep JohnSBG


    PTH2009 wrote: »
    What's your opinion on pro wrestling, does the goofy storylines, odd characters and perception that it's fake take away from the athleticism and hard work that the guys and gals put in ????

    I find it odd that adults watch it but i'm a believer in doing whatever it is you enjoy so rock on WWE guys!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,571 ✭✭✭0byme75341jo28


    Why is your Twitter persona so much more inflammatory than your (apparent) real life persona?


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