WHEN ONE THINKS of Irish MMA gyms, more often than not, it will be SBG or Team Ryano that instantly come to mind.
It’s hardly an unforgivable transgression. The two facilities are responsible for five of the six fighters from this island currently competing in the UFC. Without shadow of a doubt, coaches John Kavanagh and Andy Ryan, along with their students, have set the gold standard for mixed martial arts in Ireland.
However, the story does not begin and end within the confines of the capital. Throughout the country there are a myriad facilities training and moulding fighters, as they endeavour to fulfil their dreams.
One such place is Point Blank Submission in Galway. Owned and operated by Tim Murphy, it is one of only two gyms in the county which offer instruction in mixed martial arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).
Murphy also serves as head coach, and brings a wealth of knowledge to the role. He is a third degree black belt in Taekwon-Do, who has competed internationally in kick-boxing, in addition to being a highly-decorated BJJ brown belt. While fighting professionally in MMA, he amassed a record of 8-3.
The gym’s membership now stands at 40 and growing. They have representatives competing nationally in BJJ, and on the local amateur MMA circuit. One such show is the West Cage Fighting Championship, which is hosted in Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
Murphy says that the MMA scene in the west is still a burgeoning one, but he’s noticed a marked increase in participation as of late, particularly with Irish fighters now competing on the world stage.
“It’s growing in the west, alright. Maybe not in terms of shows, but that’ll just need a couple of promoters stepping in. We’ve definitely seen an upturn and exposure to the guys in the UFC, has the made the sport more accessible to more people, which is bound to a have a positive knock-on effect.”
– First published 06.30