SBG’s John Kavanagh has indicated his confusion at the announcement of yet another interim belt in Khabib Nurmagomedov’s bout with Tony Ferguson at UFC 209 in March.
It is truly a matter of East meets West in the lightweight division at UFC 209 in March. The highly anticipated bout between two of the 155 pound division’s top three fighters will have the extra spice of an interim lightweight title added to the mix.
Confirmation of the anticipated fight came from no other than UFC president Dana White, however there was no allusion to an interim belt in White’s declaration. Fight fans will undoubtedly be thrilled that the face-off between two of the promotions most elite fighters will stretch a full 5 rounds.
Another anticipated fight which was previously announced as the headliner for UFC 209 is for the welterweight crown; Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson were separated by only the finest of margins in what was a majority draw decision for “T-Wood” at UFC 205 in New York last November.
Interim titles are not always the most popular among the MMA masses. One man in particular who seems to treat the concept with contempt is the trainer of the current lightweight champion of the world, Conor McGregor. John Kavanagh expressed his confusion at the decision of the UFC hierarchy to offer an interim belt, by posting the meme below:
Whether Kavanagh held the same view following McGregor’s capture of the UFC featherweight interim title following his KO victory over Chad Mendes at UFC 189 is not clear, however.
In addition to the Nurmagomedov v Ferguson fight collapsing previously due to financial dispute, both fighters have had injury problems which have prevented their meeting in the past. With all now appeared to be resolved, fans will wait with bated breath that both fighters can maintain fitness and avoid injury before they square off in the octagon.
There is absolutely no doubt in stating that this fight represents the most significant of both Nurmagomedov and Ferguson’s respective careers, as the winner will edge one square closer to UFC gold, and hopefully their very own “red panty night”.
SBG’s John Kavanagh has indicated his confusion at the announcement of yet another interim belt in Khabib Nurmagomedov’s bout with Tony Ferguson at UFC 209 in March.
It is truly a matter of East meets West in the lightweight division at UFC 209 in March. The highly anticipated bout between two of the 155 pound division’s top three fighters will have the extra spice of an interim lightweight title added to the mix.
Confirmation of the anticipated fight came from no other than UFC president Dana White, however there was no allusion to an interim belt in White’s declaration. Fight fans will undoubtedly be thrilled that the face-off between two of the promotions most elite fighters will stretch a full 5 rounds.
Another anticipated fight which was previously announced as the headliner for UFC 209 is for the welterweight crown; Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson were separated by only the finest of margins in what was a majority draw decision for “T-Wood” at UFC 205 in New York last November.
Interim titles are not always the most popular among the MMA masses. One man in particular who seems to treat the concept with contempt is the trainer of the current lightweight champion of the world, Conor McGregor. John Kavanagh expressed his confusion at the decision of the UFC hierarchy to offer an interim belt, by posting the meme below:
In addition to the Nurmagomedov v Ferguson fight collapsing previously due to financial dispute, both fighters have had injury problems which have prevented their meeting in the past. With all now appeared to be resolved, fans will wait with bated breath that both fighters can maintain fitness and avoid injury before they square off in the octagon.
There is absolutely no doubt in stating that this fight represents the most significant of both Nurmagomedov and Ferguson’s respective careers, as the winner will edge one square closer to UFC gold, and hopefully their very own “red panty night”.
SBG’s John Kavanagh has indicated his confusion at the announcement of yet another interim belt in Khabib Nurmagomedov’s bout with Tony Ferguson at UFC 209 in March.
It is truly a matter of East meets West in the lightweight division at UFC 209 in March. The highly anticipated bout between two of the 155 pound division’s top three fighters will have the extra spice of an interim lightweight title added to the mix.
Confirmation of the anticipated fight came from no other than UFC president Dana White, however there was no allusion to an interim belt in White’s declaration. Fight fans will undoubtedly be thrilled that the face-off between two of the promotions most elite fighters will stretch a full 5 rounds.
Another anticipated fight which was previously announced as the headliner for UFC 209 is for the welterweight crown; Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson were separated by only the finest of margins in what was a majority draw decision for “T-Wood” at UFC 205 in New York last November.
Interim titles are not always the most popular among the MMA masses. One man in particular who seems to treat the concept with contempt is the trainer of the current lightweight champion of the world, Conor McGregor. John Kavanagh expressed his confusion at the decision of the UFC hierarchy to offer an interim belt, by posting the meme below:
Whether Kavanagh held the same view following McGregor’s capture of the UFC featherweight interim title following his KO victory over Chad Mendes at UFC 189 is not clear, however.
In addition to the Nurmagomedov v Ferguson fight collapsing previously due to financial dispute, both fighters have had injury problems which have prevented their meeting in the past. With all now appeared to be resolved, fans will wait with bated breath that both fighters can maintain fitness and avoid injury before they square off in the octagon.
There is absolutely no doubt in stating that this fight represents the most significant of both Nurmagomedov and Ferguson’s respective careers, as the winner will edge one square closer to UFC gold, and hopefully their very own “red panty night”.
SBG’s John Kavanagh has indicated his confusion at the announcement of yet another interim belt in Khabib Nurmagomedov’s bout with Tony Ferguson at UFC 209 in March.
It is truly a matter of East meets West in the lightweight division at UFC 209 in March. The highly anticipated bout between two of the 155 pound division’s top three fighters will have the extra spice of an interim lightweight title added to the mix.
Confirmation of the anticipated fight came from no other than UFC president Dana White, however there was no allusion to an interim belt in White’s declaration. Fight fans will undoubtedly be thrilled that the face-off between two of the promotions most elite fighters will stretch a full 5 rounds.
Another anticipated fight which was previously announced as the headliner for UFC 209 is for the welterweight crown; Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson were separated by only the finest of margins in what was a majority draw decision for “T-Wood” at UFC 205 in New York last November.
Interim titles are not always the most popular among the MMA masses. One man in particular who seems to treat the concept with contempt is the trainer of the current lightweight champion of the world, Conor McGregor. John Kavanagh expressed his confusion at the decision of the UFC hierarchy to offer an interim belt, by posting the meme below:
In addition to the Nurmagomedov v Ferguson fight collapsing previously due to financial dispute, both fighters have had injury problems which have prevented their meeting in the past. With all now appeared to be resolved, fans will wait with bated breath that both fighters can maintain fitness and avoid injury before they square off in the octagon.
There is absolutely no doubt in stating that this fight represents the most significant of both Nurmagomedov and Ferguson’s respective careers, as the winner will edge one square closer to UFC gold, and hopefully their very own “red panty night”.
Kavanagh gives Meryl Streep a dressing down, following her unexpected dismissal of MMA at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday.
The highly decorated actress delivered a critique of Donald Trump at the televised awards on Sunday, but has drawn major criticism from the world of Mixed Martial Arts for her attempt to draw a comparison between politics and sport.
The Hollywood legend stated:
“What is [Hollywood] anyway? It’s just a bunch of people from other places. Hollywood is crawling with outsiders and foreigners. And if we kick them all out you’ll have nothing to watch but football and mixed martial arts, which are not the arts.”
While Trump himself responded to the comments in a tweet, Dana White was also vocal in his response, in an interview given to TMZ which you can watch here.
Another man who certainly took offence to what has been described as an ignorant assessment of the sport is Conor McGregor’s coach, and SBG wizard, John Kavanagh. In a message posted to his Facebook account on Tuesday, Kavanagh said:
“A lot has been made of Meryl Streep’s ‘calling out’ of Mixed Martial Arts as not being ‘the arts’. She’s 100% right, it’s sport. I was just impressed she said mixed martial arts and not ‘cage fighting’. People probably got a little defensive with the way she was clearly saying ‘the arts’ were so much superior to ‘sport’. What would we ever do without Hollywood!!?” The great American writer Joseph Campbell said the closest he ever came to a truly spiritual experience was through athletics.
Kavanagh added: “I wouldn’t like to think of one activity better than the other – sport or art. Just do whatever you enjoy. I think people’s main issue with her teary well acted speech was that she tried to pass herself, and the rest of her ultra rich and ultra entitled liberal friends, off as ‘an outsider’.
“Yes Meryl, you’re just like an illegal immigrant or starving refugee. Fuck off. Just carry on adding to your 100s of millions you’ve earned from playing pretend. You’ve known nothing but extreme wealth and privilege your whole life, so don’t look down your nose at sport which has probably helped a lot more people than the expensive drama schools you attended. Happy Tuesday haha!” he added.
The saga continues…
Kavanagh gives Meryl Streep a dressing down, following her unexpected dismissal of MMA at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday.
The highly decorated actress delivered a critique of Donald Trump at the televised awards on Sunday, but has drawn major criticism from the world of Mixed Martial Arts for her attempt to draw a comparison between politics and sport.
The Hollywood legend stated:
“What is [Hollywood] anyway? It’s just a bunch of people from other places. Hollywood is crawling with outsiders and foreigners. And if we kick them all out you’ll have nothing to watch but football and mixed martial arts, which are not the arts.”
While Trump himself responded to the comments in a tweet, Dana White was also vocal in his response, in an interview given to TMZ which you can watch here.
Another man who certainly took offence to what has been described as an ignorant assessment of the sport is Conor McGregor’s coach, and SBG wizard, John Kavanagh. In a message posted to his Facebook account on Tuesday, Kavanagh said:
“A lot has been made of Meryl Streep’s ‘calling out’ of Mixed Martial Arts as not being ‘the arts’. She’s 100% right, it’s sport. I was just impressed she said mixed martial arts and not ‘cage fighting’. People probably got a little defensive with the way she was clearly saying ‘the arts’ were so much superior to ‘sport’. What would we ever do without Hollywood!!?” The great American writer Joseph Campbell said the closest he ever came to a truly spiritual experience was through athletics.
Kavanagh added: “I wouldn’t like to think of one activity better than the other – sport or art. Just do whatever you enjoy. I think people’s main issue with her teary well acted speech was that she tried to pass herself, and the rest of her ultra rich and ultra entitled liberal friends, off as ‘an outsider’.
“Yes Meryl, you’re just like an illegal immigrant or starving refugee. Fuck off. Just carry on adding to your 100s of millions you’ve earned from playing pretend. You’ve known nothing but extreme wealth and privilege your whole life, so don’t look down your nose at sport which has probably helped a lot more people than the expensive drama schools you attended. Happy Tuesday haha!” he added.
Once flying under the radar as a ‘guilty pleasure,’ MMA has evolved so much as a sport. Now finally experiencing status as a mainstream pursuit, mixed martial arts is still not free from worries. During a contest in Dublin, Ireland last April. Portuguese MMA fighter Joao Carvalho suffered a fatal brain injury. The tragic circumstances
Once flying under the radar as a ‘guilty pleasure,’ MMA has evolved so much as a sport. Now finally experiencing status as a mainstream pursuit, mixed martial arts is still not free from worries. During a contest in Dublin, Ireland last April. Portuguese MMA fighter Joao Carvalho suffered a fatal brain injury. The tragic circumstances of the event led to massive debate about the safety of MMA in Ireland. Ironically it was the very man who helped make MMA popular in Ireland, Conor McGregor, present in the final waking moments of Carvalho’s life.
Charlie Ward, McGregor’s teammate, was the man who defeated Carvalho by TKO. The media and Irish sports ministers condemned mixed martial arts, claiming it was an atrocity that children were present as Carvalho was ‘beaten to death.’ Spurring more research in to CTE (Chronic traumatic encephalopathy), Carvalho’s shocking passing will hopefully lead to a better future for fighters. As per The Irish Independent, professor Dan Healy says he is working towards a generation of CTE-free fighters:
Healy Wants To Learn Lessons From Joao’s Sad Case
“I’d like to see every young man and woman who decides to fight to do so knowing that every possible avoidable risk has been minimised,” he said.
“I’ve seen five brain haemorrhages in Irish MMA. The fighters were a variety of ages, both amateur and professional. It included people in their twenties and early thirties. CTE concerns me more than anything about all combat sports. This can be the first generation of fighters ever who don’t get CTE.”
Caoch Kavanagh
Given his connection to the sorrowful events in Dublin, Conor McGregor had expressed his own concerns about brain damage, even death in the UFC octagon. The former two-weight world champion’s coach, John Kavangh says McGregor’s entire style was built to avoid damaging blows:
“It’s a concern of every fighter. At that level of fighting the risk is very real,” Kavanagh said. But I think you can add on two hands the number of clean head shots Conor has taken in 10 years of pro-fighting. His style of fighting answers that, because his style is not brawling. He doesn’t step in the pocket and exchange punches.
His style is in and out – he’s very defensive. That style was born through not wanting to lose and not wanting to take head shots, and not wanting to damage the software.”
Much like in the US in the mid-2000’s, MMA is in a state of debate in Ireland. Perhaps Conor McGregor’s status as the UFC’s biggest star can make him an ambassador of sorts, and lead to positive results in all respects.
It looks like two-weight UFC World Champion Conor McGregor may be undergoing brain scan in 2017.
SBG Head Coach and longtime trainer and friend of “The Notorious” Irish mega-star, John Kavanagh, released a statement today announcing all SBG fighters will be undergoing brain scans next year.
“For 2017 ALL SBG fighters, both Amateur and Professional will be getting a one off brain scan to make sure there’s no underlying issues that would preclude them from competing. It is not yet a requirement to get this done to compete on shows but it will be a requirement to represent SBG.
“Take 100 random people and scan them and a small percentage will have an issue that would stop them competing. This is not from training in MMA, or any other sport but could be genetic or from some illness when young. Either way we’re lucky in Ireland that SAFE MMA Ireland have secured scans for just €150 to give athletes peace of mind they are clear for training/competing.
For more information on this story, visit Conor McGregor’s official website at TheMacLife.com.
It looks like two-weight UFC World Champion Conor McGregor may be undergoing brain scan in 2017.
SBG Head Coach and longtime trainer and friend of “The Notorious” Irish mega-star, John Kavanagh, released a statement today announcing all SBG fighters will be undergoing brain scans next year.
“For 2017 ALL SBG fighters, both Amateur and Professional will be getting a one off brain scan to make sure there’s no underlying issues that would preclude them from competing. It is not yet a requirement to get this done to compete on shows but it will be a requirement to represent SBG.
“Take 100 random people and scan them and a small percentage will have an issue that would stop them competing. This is not from training in MMA, or any other sport but could be genetic or from some illness when young. Either way we’re lucky in Ireland that SAFE MMA Ireland have secured scans for just €150 to give athletes peace of mind they are clear for training/competing.
The death of an MMA fighter in Dublin could spell the end for MMA in the home country of Conor McGregor.
An Irish inquest has heard that an acute subdural haemorrhage following “blunt force trauma to the head” was responsible for the shocking death of fighter Joao Carvalho earlier this year.
The Team Nobrega man was pronounced dead in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, Ireland on April 11th, having taken ill following a TKO loss to UFC fighter Charlie Ward in their Total Extreme Fighting bout two days prior.
Fierce debate regarding fighter safety has ensued, with many calling for a flat-out ban of Mixed Martial Arts in Ireland.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="615"]Carvalho is the fifth Mix Martial Arts fighter to die in sanctioned bouts in less than 10 years[/caption]
Two investigations have been initiated by An Garda Siochana (The Irish police force) and the Health and Safety Authority. The former have have submitted a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), according to Detective Inspector Paul Cleary (via Breakingnews.ie):
“An Garda Siochana have prepared a file and it has been submitted to the DPP…criminal proceedings are being contemplated,” DI Cleary told the court.
“The HSA have carried out a separate investigation.”
The target of such proceedings is unclear, but further information is expected to be disclosed at a later date. The coroner, Dr Myra Cullinane, has adjourned the inquest until June 2017.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="620"]The 28 year old’s death has polarised opinion regarding MMA regulation in Ireland[/caption]
The MMA fighter’s death has certainly polarised opinion in Ireland. Fierce debate regarding the safety of fighters competing in the octagon has seen calls for tougher regulation. The Irish Martial Arts Commission have rejected association with MMA, and refuse to recognise it as a sport due to it’s full-contact status, which further complicates matters.
Medical attention given to fighters, and stricter demands from referees are hot topics in this debate. While doctors clearly followed protocol in Carvalho v Ward, questions were asked of the refereeing standards during the fight. A view towards regulation appears the only way to safeguard the future of both competitors, and the sport in Ireland.
Some are of the opinion that MMA should be banned outright, however, with neurology professor Dr Tim Lynch stating in The Irish Times:
“Any sport that involves deliberately hitting the head and knocking people out needs to be asked questions, and we need to ask whether this is right. So from a personal perspective, yes, I think those types of sports should not be allowed.”
“I would have similar concerns about boxing. MMA goes a step up. I find it bizarre that it’s tolerated and doesn’t have a very critical review and discussion as to whether this should be encouraged, allowed, endorsed, and is regulation enough or should it be banned.”
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Charlie Ward (left) has since gone on to sign and compete under the UFC banner[/caption]
Martin Samuel, writer at The Daily Mail stated that [Carvalho’s death] was “an absolute scandal” and that he was “legally beaten to death in public”. Samuel represents the opinion that the sport “lacks credibility”.
With further pressure put on the Irish government to intervene in a shutdown of the sport, the country’s place at the table of UFC & Bellator et al would be in danger. Furthermore, it will effectively discredit the achievements of Ireland’s mega-star, and most famous sportsman of all time. Earlier this year, France voted to ban MMA, so there is a distinct possibility that the Emerald Isle could follow suit.
What this would mean for the likes of Conor McGregor, SBG and Charlie Ward remains to be seen. It is looking almost certain that Mixed Martial Arts in its existing carnation could be on borrowed time for the “Fighting Irish” at home, however…
The death of an MMA fighter in Dublin could spell the end for MMA in the home country of Conor McGregor.
An Irish inquest has heard that an acute subdural haemorrhage following “blunt force trauma to the head” was responsible for the shocking death of fighter Joao Carvalho earlier this year.
The Team Nobrega man was pronounced dead in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, Ireland on April 11th, having taken ill following a TKO loss to UFC fighter Charlie Ward in their Total Extreme Fighting bout two days prior.
Fierce debate regarding fighter safety has ensued, with many calling for a flat-out ban of Mixed Martial Arts in Ireland.
Carvalho is the fifth Mix Martial Arts fighter to die in sanctioned bouts in less than 10 years
Two investigations have been initiated by An Garda Siochana (The Irish police force) and the Health and Safety Authority. The former have have submitted a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), according to Detective Inspector Paul Cleary (via Breakingnews.ie):
“An Garda Siochana have prepared a file and it has been submitted to the DPP…criminal proceedings are being contemplated,” DI Cleary told the court.
“The HSA have carried out a separate investigation.”
The target of such proceedings is unclear, but further information is expected to be disclosed at a later date. The coroner, Dr Myra Cullinane, has adjourned the inquest until June 2017.
The 28 year old’s death has polarised opinion regarding MMA regulation in Ireland
The MMA fighter’s death has certainly polarised opinion in Ireland. Fierce debate regarding the safety of fighters competing in the octagon has seen calls for tougher regulation. The Irish Martial Arts Commission have rejected association with MMA, and refuse to recognise it as a sport due to it’s full-contact status, which further complicates matters.
Medical attention given to fighters, and stricter demands from referees are hot topics in this debate. While doctors clearly followed protocol in Carvalho v Ward, questions were asked of the refereeing standards during the fight. A view towards regulation appears the only way to safeguard the future of both competitors, and the sport in Ireland.
Some are of the opinion that MMA should be banned outright, however, with neurology professor Dr Tim Lynch stating in The Irish Times:
“Any sport that involves deliberately hitting the head and knocking people out needs to be asked questions, and we need to ask whether this is right. So from a personal perspective, yes, I think those types of sports should not be allowed.”
“I would have similar concerns about boxing. MMA goes a step up. I find it bizarre that it’s tolerated and doesn’t have a very critical review and discussion as to whether this should be encouraged, allowed, endorsed, and is regulation enough or should it be banned.”
Charlie Ward (left) has since gone on to sign and compete under the UFC banner
Martin Samuel, writer at The Daily Mail stated that [Carvalho’s death] was “an absolute scandal” and that he was “legally beaten to death in public”. Samuel represents the opinion that the sport “lacks credibility”.
With further pressure put on the Irish government to intervene in a shutdown of the sport, the country’s place at the table of UFC & Bellator et al would be in danger. Furthermore, it will effectively discredit the achievements of Ireland’s mega-star, and most famous sportsman of all time. Earlier this year, France voted to ban MMA, so there is a distinct possibility that the Emerald Isle could follow suit.
What this would mean for the likes of Conor McGregor, SBG and Charlie Ward remains to be seen. It is looking almost certain that Mixed Martial Arts in its existing carnation could be on borrowed time for the “Fighting Irish” at home, however…
![joao-carvalho[1]](http://cdn.lowkickmma.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/joao-carvalho1.jpg)
