THE UFC HAS several former Olympians on its books, but Katie Taylor isn’t planning to join them.
Despite the growing popularity of mixed martial arts in Ireland, the Olympic gold medallist won’t be diverted from her preparations for next year in Rio.
However, Taylor has reiterated her admiration for Irish UFC star Conor McGregor, and says she wouldn’t be surprised to eventually see MMA in the Olympics.
“I’m a big fan of Conor McGregor,” said Taylor. “I don’t really watch MMA fights but I do love watching Conor McGregor. I love seeing Irish athletes doing well anyway and I think he’s a phenomenal athlete.
“He’s a great showman. I love watching him, the entertainer that he is and you never know what he’s going to come out with. He’s exciting to watch. I love the boxing part of MMA and I think he’s great on his feet.”
Katie Taylor has plenty in common with current UFC stars like Ronda Rousey and Sara McMann. Before switching to MMA, Rousey was a bronze medallist in judo at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, while McMann took silver in freestyle wrestling in Athens in 2004.
But that’s not on the agenda for Taylor. Having clinched her fifth World Championship title in November, the 28-year-old lightweight boxer remains focused on competing in another Olympics in Brazil in 2016
“If I went into an MMA ring, I’d probably break my two arms from someone getting me in a hold or whatever,” said Taylor, who was speaking in her role as an ambassador for the Sky Sports Living for Sport scheme.
“I don’t know why boxing and MMA are always pitted against each other. They’re two completely different sports. I have so much respect for those guys with the training they put in and the discipline it takes to get into that shape. It’s incredible.”
When asked if she could see MMA in the Olympics, Taylor said: “It’s getting that way, because it’s becoming more and more popular every year. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was an Olympic sport.
“There’s obviously a lot of people against MMA, as well, for whatever reason. I think the athletes are fantastic. I’ve never met Conor, I’d love to meet him. We have two completely different personalities but I think he’s absolutely brilliant. He’s taken the UFC by storm.”
Sky Sports Living for Sport, part of Sky Academy, announces 12 new Athlete Mentors with Ambassador Katie Taylor. To find out more and to get involved, visit www.skysports.com/livingforsport
No sour grapes but Kerry won all their league games and should be playing 1b next year. How else are tier 2 county’s to progress. Sure they would have shipped a big loss or too but it might be better than easing in to a pointless league final. Offaly should be in div 2 as a kick in the a… For failing to perform all year.
Hurling league is a joke. It’s 10 times harder to get relegated than get promoted. GAA protect the traditional counties and screw those trying to make an impact
I agree completely but it’s not offaly who should be relegated it’s aintrim, they finished bottom of div 1a with 0 points. Offaly had 3 points but lost to Antrim in stupid relegation game. Kerry were hard done by for sure.
So Offaly, who have already lost a relegation play off to Antrim and should therefore have been relegated get a second chance to stay up and Kerry who won all their games (including the div 2a FINAL) have to stay in 2a? What’s the point in having a ‘final’ if there’s no reward for winning?
How is hurling in the ‘weaker counties’ supposed to improve if they’re not given a chance? Absolute farce.
Its a joke really even Brain Whealan admitted that if fair was fair this game shouldn’t have happened and Offaly should have been relegated and Kerry promoted, However its not Offaly’s fault that this is the way the league was set-up. Hopefully Offaly can kick on from here. I’m from Offaly BTW
Offaly drew with Limerick and beat Antrim in the group so had 3 points and Antrim finished bottom with 0 points so should have been relegated.
But Antrim put out a near second team for the last day of the league against Offaly as there was nothing to play for and out their strongest team to beat them in the play off. They wouldn’t have rested players for the final league game otherwise.
There was a barrow load wrong with the way league was set up this year, first of all Antrim brought the game into disrepute by resting 14 player for the last league game against Offaly in Tullamore (Which Offaly won at a canter).
Then why was the playoff played in Ballycastle uo in the very north of Antrim even though Offaly had 3 points and Antrim finished with 0 points.
Surly the game should have been in a neutral venue.
Also if you win Division 2A as Kerry did then surly to God that team deserves to get promoted. I mean Who D Funk put this system together, my kids junior infants class would have done a better job
Offaly finished the league with 3 points Antrim with none, antrim should be gone, I fail to see the point of playoffs at all. Completely unnecessary.
Offaly deserved to remain in Div 1B – it was Antrim who failed to register a single point all year and should be in Division 2 with Kerry taking their place in 1B next year.
Offaly lost the relegation play off against Antrim so therefore they don’t deserve anything, you really are clueless just like the people who decided this second play off should have happened.
FDL is correct. Offaly new their fate was to be decided in that playoff.
There should have been no playoff finish bottom of the group you should be relegated. What’s the purpose of these playoffs?
I wonder do we get a cup!? #fishing
Opportunity missed to expand hurling counties in Ireland. But don’t worry Sky are going to bring brilliant exposure to it in the UK.