More Than Conor McGregor: Big Fights Keep Coming for MMA’s New Irish Contingent

If, in the calming wake of Conor McGregor’s latest and largest step toward fighting superstardom, you thought you were done hearing about Irish MMA fighters for a while, you done thought wrong. The Irish are just getting warmed up. Have you got a minute? Let me fill you in. Because as it happens, you don’t even […]

If, in the calming wake of Conor McGregor’s latest and largest step toward fighting superstardom, you thought you were done hearing about Irish MMA fighters for a while, you done thought wrong. The Irish are just getting warmed up. Have you got a minute? Let me fill you in. Because as it happens, you don’t even […]

UFC 178 Notebook: The Irish Invade Las Vegas

They came from Ireland, and they took over the MGM Grand. They began arriving in droves on Thursday. That was the moment the MGM slowly, methodically morphed from a ghost town into Dublin, America. This is a normal fight-week process in Las Vegas. Prior to Thursday, you have a few autograph seekers waiting outside the […]

They came from Ireland, and they took over the MGM Grand. They began arriving in droves on Thursday. That was the moment the MGM slowly, methodically morphed from a ghost town into Dublin, America. This is a normal fight-week process in Las Vegas. Prior to Thursday, you have a few autograph seekers waiting outside the […]

Irish Prospect Cathal Pendred Meets Fellow TUF 19 Teammate Mike King in Ireland

A pair of Ultimate Fighter 19 teammates will do battle in Ireland, as opposed to the TUF 19 Finale, when Irish prospect Cathal Pendred takes on Mike King in the middleweight division.  The fight, reported by MMA Junkie, will likely take place on the prelims of the Fight Pass exclusive event, which takes place July 19. Pendred, who is […]

A pair of Ultimate Fighter 19 teammates will do battle in Ireland, as opposed to the TUF 19 Finale, when Irish prospect Cathal Pendred takes on Mike King in the middleweight division.  The fight, reported by MMA Junkie, will likely take place on the prelims of the Fight Pass exclusive event, which takes place July 19. Pendred, who is […]

[VIDEO] Badass Flying-Spinning Heel Kick to Armbar Finish is Badass

(Video via Severe MMA.)

Major props to FightersOnly for passing along this insane video of a flying-spinning — or truthfully, a falling-spinning — heel kick to armbar finish from last weekend’s Clan Wars 17 event. All credit for the combo goes to amateur bantamweight Carl McNally, who improved to 5-0 (all finishes) with the sick sub.

According to his post-fight interview, McNally will now fight in the bantamweight finals of the Irish Mixed Martial Arts Federation trials against a TBD opponent, with the winner receiving a chance to fight in Las Vegas next year. A chance that McNally claims he would rather blow on a weekend of “cocaine and strippers.” Don’t worry, he makes sure to extend an invite to the post-fight interviewer, but only as long as the kid is cool with taking the bottom bunk.

The Irish seem like pretty fun people, if you ask me.

J. Jones


(Video via Severe MMA.)

Major props to FightersOnly for passing along this insane video of a flying-spinning — or truthfully, a falling-spinning — heel kick to armbar finish from last weekend’s Clan Wars 17 event. All credit for the combo goes to amateur bantamweight Carl McNally, who improved to 5-0 (all finishes) with the sick sub.

According to his post-fight interview, McNally will now fight in the bantamweight finals of the Irish Mixed Martial Arts Federation trials against a TBD opponent, with the winner receiving a chance to fight in Las Vegas next year. A chance that McNally claims he would rather blow on a weekend of “cocaine and strippers.” Don’t worry, he makes sure to extend an invite to the post-fight interviewer, but only as long as the kid is cool with taking the bottom bunk.

The Irish seem like pretty fun people, if you ask me.

J. Jones

The Beaten Path: Prospect Cathal Pendred and Irish MMA Are Blowing Up Together

Are combat sports in the midst of an Irish invasion? It wouldn’t be the first time. With their own bareknuckled hands, Irish and first-generation Irish-American fighters like John L. Sullivan, Paddy Ryan and Dominick McCaffrey poured the foundation of modern boxing. Now, a quarter-century or five later, it might be MMA’s turn. Super prospect Conor […]

Are combat sports in the midst of an Irish invasion? It wouldn’t be the first time. With their own bareknuckled hands, Irish and first-generation Irish-American fighters like John L. Sullivan, Paddy Ryan and Dominick McCaffrey poured the foundation of modern boxing. Now, a quarter-century or five later, it might be MMA’s turn. Super prospect Conor […]

[VIDEO] Irish Phenom Conor McGregor Becomes Two-Division CWFC Champ Via One-Punch KO

Ladies and gentlemen, may we introduce to you the white Michael Page. His name is Conor McGregor, and on Monday he became the first two-division (featherweight and now lightweight — you hear that, Andy?) champion in Cage Warriors Fighting Championship history by starching Ivan Buchinger in the opening round of their headlining matchup at Cage Warriors 51. Combining some insanely fast hands with a flashy capoeira background, the Irishman has quickly made a name for himself in the European MMA scene, thanks in no small part to the fact that he has collected all of his twelve victories via stoppage (11 KO, 1 sub), including a four second knockout of perhaps the most Irish-named man of them all, Paddy Doherty.

McGregor’s most recent bit of handiwork is above, but join us after the jump to get real familiar with Ireland’s hottest rising prospect.

Ladies and gentlemen, may we introduce to you the white Michael Page. His name is Conor McGregor, and on Monday he became the first two-division (featherweight and now lightweight — you hear that, Andy?) champion in Cage Warriors Fighting Championship history by starching Ivan Buchinger in the opening round of their headlining matchup at Cage Warriors 51. Combining some insanely fast hands with a flashy capoeira background, the Irishman has quickly made a name for himself in the European MMA scene, thanks in no small part to the fact that he has collected all of his twelve victories via stoppage (11 KO, 1 sub), including a four second knockout of perhaps the most Irish-named man of them all, Paddy Doherty.

McGregor’s most recent bit of handiwork is above, but join us after the jump to get real familiar with Ireland’s hottest rising prospect.

McGregor vs. Aron Jahnsen

McGregor vs. Dave Hill

McGregor vs. Artur Sowinksi 

The UFC hasn’t held an event in Ireland since UFC 93 way back in 2009, but who wants to bet they sign this kid before making their return?

J. Jones