29-year-old veteran Irish mixed martial artist Aisling Daly announced her retirement from mixed martial arts earlier today (Jan. 30, 2017). Taking to her official Instagram page to announce the news, Daly said that a recent brain scan had shown an abnormality as well as the remnants of a small hemorrhage: I will be officially retiring
29-year-old veteran Irish mixed martial artist Aisling Daly announced her retirement from mixed martial arts earlier today (Jan. 30, 2017).
Taking to her official Instagram page to announce the news, Daly said that a recent brain scan had shown an abnormality as well as the remnants of a small hemorrhage:
Training out of the now infamous Straight Blast Gym in Dublin, Ireland, Daly hasn’t competed since Oct. 2015 when she scored a decision victory over Erika Almeida at UFC Fight Night 76. Prior to that she had split wins and losses in the Octagon, picking up a submission victory over Alex Chambers and dropping a decision to Randa Markos.
Overall, Daly holds a 16-6 professional mixed martial arts record including five victories by knockouts and eight victories by submission.
We here at LowKickMMA wish Daly the best in the next chapter of her life.
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.
Conor McGregor decides to conquer new ground in funny advertisement for Pegasus World Cup Invitational.
UFC’s Dana White need not to worry, as the jewel of his stable is not going anywhere…for now.
McGregor’s latest jaunt into the world of advertisements sees him star alongside Hollywood actor Jon Lovitz (“The Wedding Singer”, “Little Nicky”) in a promo where he announces his intentions of becoming a jockey.
McGregor exhibits his trademark walk and style, looking every bit the part for the horseracing short.
If “The King of MMA” was looking to pursue new endeavors, what would be better than a venture into “the king of sports”.
The advert ends with “The Notorious” exchanging expletives with his “trainer” [Lovitz]:
“It’s M-M-A, ye f**kin’ gobshite!”
Irish poetry at it’s absolute finest.
With McGregor’s likely return to the octagon anticipated this summer, fans of the Dubliner will have to contend with this for the time being.
Potential candidates for a shot at the 155lb strap adorned by SBG’s finest include: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Jose Aldo, Tony Ferguson, Nick Diaz and if the new 135lb champ is to have his way, Cody Garbrandt.
You can watch “The 13th Jockey of the Pegasus World Cup, Conor McGregor!”, below:
https://youtu.be/M47–fQDm8c
Conor McGregor decides to conquer new ground in funny advertisement for Pegasus World Cup Invitational.
UFC’s Dana White need not to worry, as the jewel of his stable is not going anywhere…for now.
McGregor’s latest jaunt into the world of advertisements sees him star alongside Hollywood actor Jon Lovitz (“The Wedding Singer”, “Little Nicky”) in a promo where he announces his intentions of becoming a jockey.
McGregor exhibits his trademark walk and style, looking every bit the part for the horseracing short.
If “The King of MMA” was looking to pursue new endeavors, what would be better than a venture into “the king of sports”.
The advert ends with “The Notorious” exchanging expletives with his “trainer” [Lovitz]:
“It’s M-M-A, ye f**kin’ gobshite!”
Irish poetry at it’s absolute finest.
With McGregor’s likely return to the octagon anticipated this summer, fans of the Dubliner will have to contend with this for the time being.
Potential candidates for a shot at the 155lb strap adorned by SBG’s finest include: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Jose Aldo, Tony Ferguson, Nick Diaz and if the new 135lb champ is to have his way, Cody Garbrandt.
You can watch “The 13th Jockey of the Pegasus World Cup, Conor McGregor!”, below:
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…
Conor McGregor returns at UFC 205 to face Eddie Alvarez in a lightweight title fight for the ages. Following only three years fighting for the UFC, ‘The Notorious’ has become the main attraction of the promotion. Both the Irish star and Ronda Rousey embody the modern UFC athlete-Dangerous in the octagon and lively marketing machines
Conor McGregor returns at UFC 205 to face Eddie Alvarez in a lightweight title fight for the ages. Following only three years fighting for the UFC, ‘The Notorious’ has become the main attraction of the promotion. Both the Irish star and Ronda Rousey embody the modern UFC athlete-Dangerous in the octagon and lively marketing machines outside the arena of combat. Coming from Crumlin in Dublin, McGregor admits he first took up training in boxing and martial arts to defend himself.
Back in 2007, the dream of becoming a UFC star was far less realistic than it is today. Boxing was more of a likely path, especially for a young Irish lad who could punch. McGregor ended up coming in to the Straight Blast Gym as a fresh faced boxer to spar against Owen Roddy. Currently McGregor’s striking coach, Roddy was still a competitive fighter back then, and ‘The Notorious’ made a big first impression, perhaps not all good. As told by Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh:
Kavanagh vs. McGregor
PK: Tell me about the first day (in 2007) he walks into your gym. He had been boxing in Crumlin with Phil Sutcliffe.
JK: Correct.
PK: And he picks a fight with Owen Roddy.
JK: Well, it was supposed to be a spar, but it was a fight. Owen was the top dog back then and the new guy wanted to test himself.
PK: And you’re watching this with an inquisitive eye?
JK: Of course. Owen had been with me a long time — he was my boy — but this new kid moved in a certain way. He was a southpaw, a good boxer and he just had a way about him that made you go: ‘What’s going to happen here?’ And he caught Owen with a good shot and put him down.
PK: And then he floored Aisling Daly, which was incredible really.
JK: It sounds worse than it was. He wasn’t hitting her in the head or anything, but just happened to throw a body shot that hit her in the sweet spot, the solar plexus, and put her down.
PK: And now the coach is not happy.
JK: I got a little emotional because Ash had been with me a long time and the other guys would look after her. But this new guy had come in and put her down, and my protective nature kicked in. I was still fighting at that stage, or hadn’t stopped that long, so I put the gloves on… actually, he has corrected me on that and says it was bare knuckles. But I held him down and beat the shit out of him, without putting too fine a point on it.
PK: (Laughs.)
JK: I kept hitting him in the body until he couldn’t breathe and then I looked at him: ‘What’s it going to be? We can train or we can fight?’ And he was OK from the next day.
Humbling Beginnings
We’ve all got to start somewhere! Now standing on the brink of potentially holding UFC titles in two weight classes at the same time, Conor McGregor has gone from a gym brawling kid to a possible candidate for greatest of all-time. If he defeats Alvarez in New York City, few will be able to exile ‘The Notorious’ from at least the top 3 GOATs conversation.
If you ask Conor McGregor how he feels about his first fight with Nate Diaz, which took place on March 5, 2016 at UFC 196, he’ll likely tell you that he beat Diaz up for the better part of two rounds before gassing and finding himself in a rear-naked-choke that would force him to tap
If you ask Conor McGregor how he feels about his first fight with Nate Diaz, which took place on March 5, 2016 at UFC 196, he’ll likely tell you that he beat Diaz up for the better part of two rounds before gassing and finding himself in a rear-naked-choke that would force him to tap near the tail end of the second frame. Prior to that bout, the “Notorious” one had run through the featherweight class, winning seven straight UFC bouts including a triumphant 13 second knockout over former longtime 145-pound king Jose Aldo. McGregor was essentially used to putting people away, but Diaz got the best of him in the end, and it was clear change was needed.
His coach, John Kavangah, admitted earlier today (August 13, 2016) that it was hard to argue with McGregor’s style given his past successes, but also said that change was indeed sought after:
“Each fighter has his own personality, and I’ll model the training camp based around their personality,” Kavanagh said during a spot on The MMA Hour on Monday. “Some fighters you can tell them what to do, and set down a certain schedule. Some you can’t. And with Conor, he has his way of doing things, and it’s hard to argue with somebody who’s going out and knocking out legends in 13 seconds. So his system was working very well for him. But, it obviously didn’t in the last fight. So, we said look, what’s the definition of insanity…it’s doing the same thing and expecting different results. So we changed things up.”
One major change that was implemented was increased endurance and conditioning training, specifically cycling, as Kavangah brought in a friend of his who happens to be an ex-professional cyclist to assist McGregor. With the new training, Kavanagah compared McGregor’s ‘engine’ to that of a ‘super-charged American muscle car’:
“I’m lucky that I have a good friend for a long time, he’s actually the guy behind the camera of TheMacLife,” he told Ariel Helwani. “He’s an ex-professional cyclist. I reached out to him and his teammate from back in the day who is now a doctor, and there’s not much they don’t know about human performance. Being a cyclist, it’s not the most technically demanding sport, as compared to say mixed martial arts…in general there’s not a lot to it, other than having a huge engine. It’s about your VO2, it’s about your heart and your cardiovascular system. So, Dana [White] helped him make a machine, and that’s what we’ve spent the last 17, 18 weeks doing, is upgrading Conor’s engine.
“Now it’s a super-charged, 800 horsepower, five-liter American muscle car type engine.”
Perhaps the loss to Diaz was a good thing for the Irishman. In fact, Kavanagh said that the loss was a ‘positive’ for the whole team surrounding the “Notorious” one:
“I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, that I truly believe, March 5, that loss — in retrospect, in a few years time — will be seen as a turning point for the better,” he said. “And probably the most positive thing that’s happened to the team as a whole.”
How do you see McGregor performing this weekend in the rematch?
