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In addition to Dylan Tuke and Philip Mulpeter being added to BAMMA 26 (read here) the promotion has added a host of other Irish talent to the card which include some prospects, veterans and debut fighters.

Among the prospects is the highly rated Lloyd Manning (1-0). He made his debut in impressive fashion at BAMMA 24 with a TKO win in just less than a minute.

A BAMMA press release read:

"Lloyd Manning (1-0) put on a dominant debut performance at BAMMA 24 and finished Nicholas Ott via TKO with a barrage of punches in just 59 seconds of the opening round. A Judo National Champion and currently ranked in the top 5 in the world in his weight class at Sambo, Manning is a daunting prospect for anyone who steps in to face him.

‘The New York Shogun’ Richie Edwards (3-4) looks to build on his latest victory that he scored recently against Garry Duffy via Rear Naked Choke in February earlier this year. Edwards has previously appeared at BAMMA 15 & BAMMA Fight Night - Chadwick Vs. Pascu, and this marks his third appearance for the promotion and the Team Titan fighter is coming to derail the hype that is starting to build behind Manning."

Also added to the BAMMA 26 card are a pair of interesting match-ups. Next Generation NI Glenn Irvine will make his pro debut after a solid and promising amateur career and will face Irish MMA veteran John Redmond.

Keith McCabe (pictured above, image by Joseph Byrne) and Aidan Brooks will also do battle. Between them they have just one professional MMA fights but don't be mistaken by the experience they share between them. McCabe was known as one of the most active amateur MMA fighters for years and it was hard to find a card in Ireland which didn't feature the Team Ryano fighter and Brooks has been fighting at a very high level in kickboxing for years even capturing a world title.

BAMMA press release said the following about the match-ups:

Glenn Irvine vs John Redmond (Middleweight Bout) John ‘Johnny Jitzu’ Redmond (5-11) returns to BAMMA after a brief retirement to take on Glenn Irvine (Pro Debut) and steps up a weight class. Glenn Irvine (Pro Debut) went 4-1 as a Amateur and is now making his pro debut at BAMMA 26 and the Next Gen NI student couldn’t have picked a tougher challenge in facing the battle hardened veteran Redmond.

Keith ‘The Butcher’ McCabe vs Aidan Brooks (Welterweight Bout) Keith 'The Butcher' McCabe (0-1) fighting out of Team Ryano in Dublin, Ireland looks to score his first pro victory at the 3Arena on 4th June. He faces popular World Champion K1 Aidan Brooks (Pro Debut) who is making the step into MMA for the first time at BAMMA 26. Brooks is well known in the K1 community having won the IKF World Title.

Two of SBG's local stars have been confirmed to fight on BAMMA's next visit to Ireland on June 4th.

Youngster Dylan Tuke (2-0) has received praise from everyone after his performances in his first two pro fights, both on BAMMA, and is tipped to achieve great things in the sport. This time he faces UK based fighter Adam Jahovic (2-1).

A BAMMA press release said the following:

"One of SBG Ireland breakout stars, Dylan ‘The Nuke’ Tuke (2-0) makes his third appearance on BAMMA as he faces Adam Jahovic on June 4th at the 3Arena. Coming off the highlight reel finish of Mark Andrew at BAMMA 24, Tuke has now signed a multi-fight deal with BAMMA and continues his meteoric rise within the promotion. With a blistering armoury of strikes and knees, Tuke has yet to be truly tested on the ground. With the bout fast approaching, ‘The Nuke’ will no doubt be preparing for another performance that will have everyone talking for months afterwards and set him on the path for future title glory.

Fighting out of the Fight Science Gym in Hampshire, Adam Jahovic (2-1) makes his second appearance at BAMMA after his debut at BAMMA 20 against Aiden Lee. Despite coming up short on the night, Jahovic has since posted two impressive victories of his own, most recently a head kick KO of Mark Ince. Going undefeated in his amateur career, Jahovic is ready to present Tuke with plenty of problems in Dublin."

Tuke's teammate and veteran of the Irish MMA scene Philip Mulpeter (7-5) will also return to the cage for the first time in almost 18 months. The aptly named 'Honeybadger' has had a tough time in recent years staying fit and injury free and has just fought four times since 2012. Mulpeter will face Jordan James (7-7-1) on June 4th. 

The UFC announced earlier today that Joseph Duffy (14-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) will face Canada's Mitch Clarke (11-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 90 on July 7th during International Fight Week in Las Vegas.

The last time we saw Duffy in action was against Dustin Poirier at UFC 195 this past January. That fight was originally schedule to happen as the main event of UFC Dublin last October but Duffy was ruled from the card at the last minute. When they finally fought Poirier walked away with the unanimous decision handing Duffy his very first loss in the UFC.

Clarke is also coming into this fight off the back of a loss. He dropped a decision to Michael Chiesa last year at UFC Fight Night 63. For those who don't know, Clarke entered the UFC in 2011 with an undefeated 9-0 record. He then lost his two opening fights before turning things around with wins over John Maguire and an impressive submission victory over Al Iaquinta. Overall he has 7 wins via submission while never being submitted himself.

UFC Fight Night 90 will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between champion Rafael dos Anjos and Eddie Alvarez.

Siam Warriors Cork fighter Sean Clancy was called upon on late notice to face legendary Muay Thai fighter Saenchai in Thailand this Saturday night in the Thai Fights promotion.

Clancy said he is working with trainers in Thailand who have fought Saenchai and know him well. He said the following via his facebook page:

" I got asked to fight [Saenchai] sort notice on Thai Fight so why not, I even said let's have it old school with no gloves, just wraps. Crazy? Yes, I am. Preparing for the fight at Yodyut Muay Thai, great place with trainers who have fought him numerous times helping me... To all that know me I'll give him all I got??☘ Saenchai meets Clubber???."

Saenchai is no stranger to Ireland. In 2014 he faced Stephen Meleady in Dublin beating him by 4th round TKO due to cuts and in he event fought in Clancy's native Cork in 2013 beating France's Houcine Bennoui via unanimous decision.

Saenchai vs. Stephen Meleady

Saenchai 2014 Video Highlights

Two high quality local match-ups have been recently added to the BAMMA 26 card set to take place in Dublin on June 4th. 

A BAMMA press release announced the following fights:

Lightweight Bout
‘Magic’ Myles Price vs Declan 'The Bandit'Larkin

The ‘Magic' one returns at BAMMA 26 after signing on the line with a multi-fight deal with the promotion. ‘Magic’ Myles Price (9-6) got back in the win column at BAMMA 24 after defeating the outspoken Mario ‘Rudeboy’ Saeed in just 1:04 of the 2nd round. The always smiling Team Ryano standout is looking to go on a run of victories after signing his contract with BAMMA, and plans on making it two in a row at BAMMA 26 against Declan Larkin. Constantly improving and honing his BJJ skills, his last victory shows that Price is not just dangerous when the fight goes to the floor, but he has power in his fists too. Price will be expecting to make it a very long night for Larkin come June 4th.

BAMMA newcomer Declan 'The Bandit' Larkin (7-10) fights out of the Next Gen N.I. Gym and will be joining his team mates Andy ‘Taz’ Young, Alan ‘The Apprentice’ Philpott & Mark Andrew on the BAMMA 26 fight card. Working under Rodney Moore, Larkin will be looking to get into the win column and put on a performance in his BAMMA debut against Price.

Featherweight Bout
Patrick Wixted Vs James McErlean

Team Ryano fighter Patrick Wixted (1-2) returns to BAMMA after injury prevented him competing at BAMMA 24. Looking to capitalise on his win over Connor Dillon at BAMMA 22, the BJJ Brown belt will be looking to put on a show in front of his home crowd in Dublin at the 3Arena on June 4th, and he feels that the bout with McErlean is just the fight to do that.

Another BAMMA newcomer James McErlean (4-3) fights out of the Young Spartans Fight Club in Derry, Northern Ireland. Having scored a decision victory in February of this year over Niall Smyth, he now moves on to face the upcoming talent of Wixted at BAMMA 26. McErlean has previously faced BAMMA fighters Sean Tobin, Alan Philpott & Andy Young, and is confident that his experience will count come BAMMA 26.

I would consider Ronan McKay one of the most underrated and overlooked middleweights in the UK & Ireland. His wins over top local guys like Henry Fadipe, Richie Gorey, Paul Byrne as well as having a win over UFC veteran Cathal Pendred prove his abilities.

But now it seems like he will finally get his chance for the recognition he deserves on the big stage as he will challenge Andy DeVent  for his BAMMA Lonsdale Middleweight Title at the 3Arena in Dublin on June 4th.

A BAMMA press release stated the following:

Lonsdale Middleweight Title
Andy ‘Lions Paw’ DeVent Vs. Ronan ‘The Barbarian’ McKay

Fresh off his dominant performance at BAMMA 24 where he T/KO’d Paul Byrne in just 59 seconds of the first round, Andy ‘Lions Paw’ DeVent (13-10) will return to Dublin once more to do battle in his quest to get another shot at the BAMMA Middleweight title. The aggressive wrestler again proved that he has not only submissions in his arsenal but also devastating KO power as well. DeVent’s BAMMA record now stands at 3-2, with all his wins coming via stoppage. If DeVent can make another statement at BAMMA 26, then he will surely be calling for the BAMMA title shot once more.

Making his BAMMA debut at BAMMA 26, Ronan ‘The Barbarian’ McKay (11-11) is on a four fight winning streak, which has earned him a shot at the Lonsdale Middleweight title on June 4th. Fighting out of Elite Fighting Revolution in Antrim, Northern Ireland, Mckay was the first person to beat DeVent’s previous opponent Paul Byrne in November 2015. Stopping Byrne in 4:15 of the second round via T/KO due to punches, three of his last four wins have come via strikes, which is adding up to guaranteed fireworks when these two warriors collide.

This past Sunday at the Ramada Hotel in Belfast Clan Wars 24 took place in what was the first MMA event to happen on the island of Ireland following the tragic passing of Joao Carvalho two weekends prior in Dublin.

The sport of MMA went under justified public scrutiny but that quickly veered into the realm of over exaggerating from critics who, for the most part, simply did not have a clue about the sport. Agenda driven articles and nonsensical discussions on radio stations filled our time. But at last those in the scene finally got back to what they love - MMA competition.

So let us take a look at the known safety standards from Clan Wars 24:

Safe MMA - all four pro fighters on the card were cleared by Safe MMA meaning they have had medicals and blood work done (read more here).

Medical Staff - Clan Wars had four paramedics, two ambulances, three doctors (including one with UFC experienc), and a full emergency room. All confirmed by Andrew McGahon of SevereMMA.com. 

Referees - Decky Larkin and Aidan Marron were the officials inside the cage for the evening. Between them they have years of experience in martial arts and are both well respected referees.

Ringside Doctor - An important fight took place between Decky Dalton and Gary Morris. It was the co-main event and as such it received a lot of attention and focus. Dalton had suffered a laceration under his left eye and the doctor was called upon to make a tough decision in between rounds one and two and the fight was stopped. Regardless of whether you liked the decision or not the doctor acted in a way he thought was protecting the fighter, which is a good thing.

Check out our range of Hayabusa 

BAMMA today announced a pair of fights added to the BAMMA 26 card scheduled for June 4th in Dublin's 3Arena. 

Andy Young will challenge Rany Saadeh for the BAMMA flyweight title and a pair of promising prospects will collide as Dublin's Blaine O'Driscoll faces Mark Andrew of Next Gen NI.

The BAMMA press release stated the following:

BAMMA Flyweight Title
Rany Saadeh (c) Vs. Andy ‘Taz’ Young

BAMMA Flyweight king Rany Saadeh (8-1) returns to the 3Arena in Dublin to defend his title once more. After his dominant performance over Shaj ‘Superman’ Haque at BAMMA 23: Night Of Champions, the IMAG fighter is looking to cement his legacy in the Flyweight division with another win over tricky opponent Andy Young. The 22 year old German fighter has been entirely dominant in the division since joining BAMMA in 2013, and will be looking to put in another impressive performance in June. Fast becoming one of the most dominant champions in the promotion, Saadeh intends to reign long in the Flyweight division.

Andy ‘Taz’ Young (8-7) signed a multi-fight deal with BAMMA, and on the back of impressive performances in his last two bouts gets a shot at the title. Undoubtedly the biggest fight of his MMA career, the Next Generation Northern Ireland fighter now has a unique opportunity to create his own legacy by taking the title from Saadeh on the biggest platform in Europe. Hungry and motivated, and carrying the confidence from his recent bouts, Young knows that victory at BAMMA 26 will send shockwaves through the whole division.

Bantamweight Bout
Mark ‘The Prophet’ Andrew Vs. Blaine O’Driscoll

Northern Ireland’s Mark ‘The Prophet’ Andrew (1-1) joins the BAMMA 26 lineup against O’Driscoll on the Saturday 4th June. Having fought his entire pro career on the BAMMA stage, Andrew will be no stranger to the bright lights and the huge arena audience. With his last outing succumbing to Dylan Tuke in what was the most most watched moment of BAMMA 24, The Prophet will be seeking to set his path straight once more and get back in the win column against O’Driscoll.

SBG student Blaine O’Driscoll (1-1) was meant to make his BAMMA debut at BAMMA 24 against Neil Ward, however injuries prevented the bout from happening. Coming from the world renowned gym at SBG and working with team mate Dylan Tuke, O’Driscoll now gets the chance to show his skill set to the world at the 3Arena in Dublin.

Earlier today we learned of the unfortunate retirement of Paddy Holohan. The 27-year-old was forced to quit the sport he loved due to a rare blood disease that affects just '1 in 5 million' according to the flyweight (read more here).

As a tribute to Paddy I take a look at what I consider his top ten moments in his nine years as a professional MMA fighter:

10. Missing out on TUF

A strange one to start off with but hear me out. "This kid is from the projects in Dublin" I remember hearing Dana White talk about Paddy Holohan ahead of his elimination round fight for TUF 18 back in 2013. This would be the first introduction of Paddy to the bulk 'UFC' fans. Although he lost his fight to get into the house via unanimous decision it probably served as a blessing in disguise. Not many of the male contestants of that season have went on to do much. 

Paddy was sporting a back injury at the time I believe and it was bantamweight that season, which meant that he could have easily been forgetful that season had he got through. Sure his loss to Josh Hill was forgetful, through no fault of his own but rather an opponent laying a praying.  

9. Fixing a wrong

In February 2011 Paddy Holohan was a 5-0 prospect but he suffered his first setback of sorts when he fought Neil McGuigan to a controversial draw. Many felt Holohan got the win cleanly but like the old MMA cliché goes : 'don't leave it in the hands of the judges.'

And this is exactly what Holohan did when he had the opportunity to rematch McGuigan seven months later where he secured a first round submission win. Scenarios like this shape fighters and this most likely helped Paddy greatly.

8. Demolition of Damien Rooney

Paddy Holohan vs. Damien Rooney was one of the most talked about domestic fights of 2012. Two of the best homegrown talent meeting on a big local show in front of thousands for the biggest title at the time in Irish MMA.

Not many people knew which way it would go and very little separated them on paper. Then the bell rang and Holohan put in one of the best performances I have ever seen in person and won via KO in just over one minute into the first round.

See for yourself- 

7. Submitting a submission artist

As a follow up to the win over Rooney, Holohan was pitted against one of Europe's most deadliest submission fighters Artemij Sitenkov, who at the time was 14-7 with all his victories coming via submission (including kneebar wins over Neil Seery and one Conor McGregor).

Holohan rose to the occasion and for the second fight in a row put on a top quality performance in a big fight in front of a large television audience. This would be his last fight before getting signed by the UFC.

6. Fight of the Night

Although his second fight in the UFC was a loss to Chris Kelades and also served as his first full professional loss Paddy impressed everyone. In defeat he managed to net himself a cool $50,000 bonus for his part in the 'fight of the night' at UFC Fight Night 54. Life changing money for a fighter so young in his UFC career. 

5. Gym Owner

Everyone in the MMA scene in Ireland knows Paddy's involvement in coaching some of SBG's finest youngsters so it came as no surprise when  it was announced a while ago that he will be spearheading a new SBG gym in his local Tallaght.

The gym in close to opening if it hasn't already and with his knowledge, experience and passion for the game you can expect nothing but good things to come from this.

4. Boston

An Irishman fight in Boston is always a big deal and at UFC Fight Night 59 headlined by the insanely popular Conor McGregor the pressure was on to perform.

Paddy was coming off his first defeat as a professional and served as the warm-up act for his teammate McGregor by being the first Irishman on the card. Once again Paddy relished this and gave the Boston natives something to cheer about as he beat Shane Howell to a unanimous decision.

3. Main eventing UFC Dublin

UFC Fight Night 76 in Dublin last October would turn out to be Paddy Holohan's last fight before retirement. Due to a series of last minute changes to the card he would also serve as the main event. Although it would have been better to have went out on a win it is rather poetic that Louis Smolka got the submission win after a hard fought two rounds.

Win, lose or draw, for an Irishman being main event in his hometown of Dublin on such a big card it is something to cherish.

2. "Cup Of Tea"

Paddy Holohan asked for a cup of tea after his emphatic win (we will get back to that later) in his UFC debut in Dublin just under two years ago. Little did he know that would take on a life of its own spawning Paddy Holohan/Tea related merchandise, involvement of nationwide campaigns for tea companies and even a visit to the Boston Tea Party Shop & Museum with Ariel Helwani for, you guessed it, a few cups of tea and a chat (see below).

It really became his signature, his calling card and helped him gain his popularity.

1. UFC Debut

On July 19th in 2014, almost exactly two years to the day since he last competed in a full professional fight, Paddy Holohan stepped out as the first fight of the night on the UFC's return to Ireland in over five years.

A lot of pressure was on. The home crowd, the fact he hadn't fought in so long, the disappointment missing out on TUF, UFC debut, but none of that mattered. Holohan stepped out there and got the ball rolling on probably the greatest night in Irish MMA history by submitting Josh Sampo in a little over three minutes of the first round. The roof came off the building and no doubt his performance spurned out his compatriots and teammates to go undefeated on the night.