MIXED MARTIAL ARTS has never been so popular in Ireland thanks to the exploits of Conor McGregor, Cathal Pendred, Aisling Daly et al, but the country’s first batch of MMA stars should have some extra Irish company at the top of the sport in 2015.
While MMA is still in the early stages of its development on these shores, there is a long list of athletes you may not yet be aware of who are capable of increasing Ireland’s presence in the sport’s top organisation, the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
So as Irish MMA gears itself up for what will hopefully be another big year, we gazed into our crystal ball to try and predict which fighters are most likely to grab your attention in the coming weeks and months.
JOSEPH DUFFY
It’s probably fair to say that more is expected of Duffy (12-1) than any prospect — Irish or otherwise — currently outside the UFC. His status as the last fighter to defeat Conor McGregor and Norman Parke has had a significant part to play in the hype that has attached itself to the 26-year-old from Donegal.
After starting his stint with Cage Warriors Fighting Championship, Europe’s top organisation, with four consecutive wins, including the aforementioned submission of McGregor, Duffy opted to turn his attention to boxing for a while and put together an unblemished 7-0 record, before deciding to move back to MMA early last year.
Everything has gone according to plan since then. A win over Damien Lapilus on his return was followed in November by an incredible early KO of Julien Boussuge at Cage Warriors 74 in London’s Olympic Park.
Duffy may be the next challenger for the CWFC belt, but a move to the UFC is imminent. It’s a matter of when, and not if, for the London-based lightweight, who possesses all the tools to have a long and successful career at the summit of the sport.
PHILIP MULPETER
Despite winning his only fight of the year, Mulpeter (7-4) didn’t have a 2014 to remember. Several scheduled bouts fell through, most recently in November when he had to pull out of an eagerly-anticipated meeting with undefeated English prospect Tom Breese after sustaining a cut above his eye in training just three days prior to the fight.
As a result, the 26-year-old needs to have a productive 2015 if he’s to prove that his ability hasn’t yet been reflected in his record. Since joining Cage Warriors in 2012, Mulpeter has had two comprehensive wins but two narrow decision losses, the second of which came at the hands of UFC veteran John Maguire.
Mulpeter’s style is more grinding than extravagant, but the Laois native is extremely durable and difficult to dominate. Beforehand, the bout against Maguire was seen by many as a mismatch, and although the decision ultimately went against him, Mulpeter’s stock rose significantly as he showed that he’s capable of mixing it with UFC-calibre opposition.
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Will Philip Mulpeter be the next big name to emerge from SBG? Dolly Clew / Cage Warriors
Dolly Clew / Cage Warriors / Cage Warriors
Having alternated between lightweight and welterweight for a spell, Mulpeter now seems to have settled on a run at the 170lbs division, and is likely to improve even further this year as he continues to train daily with the likes of Conor McGregor, Cathal Pendred and Gunnar Nelson.
His latest contract with Cage Warriors has now expired so details of his next bout are unknown, but Mulpeter’s aim for this year will be to get three or four fights under his belt in order to add some gloss to his record. After a tough time in 2014, a slice of luck would be welcome too.
PAUL REDMOND
A 28-year-old lightweight from Donaghmede, Redmond (10-4) has been one of Irish MMA’s major success stories of recent years, having also revived his career under the Cage Warriors banner.
Before making his first CWFC appearance in June 2012, Redmond’s then-unimpressive record of three wins and three losses meant he was unknown outside of Ireland. But since that victory over Yuri Malko at Cage Warriors 47 in Dublin, he has embarked on a 7-1 run that has brought him to prominence across Europe.
Nobody has won more Cage Warriors fights than Redmond since he made his debut for the promotion, but a slip-up against highly-rated Polish prospect Mateusz Teodorczuk just over a year ago put a minor dent in his progress, giving him his only taste of defeat in his eight CWFC bouts.
MMA is a results business, but entertaining the crowd is just as important. Redmond has been doing both. Renowned for an adventurous submission offence, nine of his ten professional wins have come inside the distance, and his one decision victory saw him pick up a ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus.
Redmond was due to take on English veteran Mick Sinclair in November and a win would probably have been his most significant to date, but an injury to the Dubliner forced him to withdraw from the contest. However, Redmond has now returned to full fitness and is awaiting news of his next outing.
Currently fighting out of Dublin’s Team Ryano alongside the likes of UFC flyweight Neil Seery, Paul Redmond will seek to end 2015 having earned a shot at CWFC lightweight champion Stevie Ray, and/or an offer from the UFC.
TOMMY McCAFFERTY
Tommy McCafferty aims to replicate his success as a World Champion kickboxer. Dolly Clew / Cage Warriors
Dolly Clew / Cage Warriors / Cage Warriors
Undefeated McCafferty (6-0) was an ISKA World Kickboxing champion before electing to focus on MMA in 2012. Last year he signed to Cage Warriors and looked impressive when defeating Dean Reilly in his toughest bout so far.
Another Donegal fighter, McCafferty recently spent time in Brazil as he aims to improve his BJJ, but the 28-year-old has yet to be tested by a high-level grappler. However, his extensive striking background will make him a sizeable hurdle for anyone in the CWFC featherweight division.
The UFC probably won’t be on the horizon for McCafferty this year, but putting himself in the CWFC title picture would represent a very significant step in the right direction.
CHRIS FIELDS
Perhaps the most familiar name on our list due to last year’s appearance on The Ultimate Fighter and his status as a former Cage Warriors champion, Fields (10-5-1) is facing into what looks set to be a make-or-break year.
He departed empty-handed from TUF, but having entered the competition at light-heavyweight, Fields should benefit from moving back down to the middleweight division when he begins his 2015 campaign for UK promotion BAMMA next month against Frenchman Cheick Kone.
He turns 32 later this year, but you get the feeling that we’ve yet to see the best of Chris Fields. Known for his entertaining style which features plenty of spectacular high-kicks, the SBG fighter has taken all ten of his wins by stoppage.
Fields has never lacked confidence and a win over Kone on February 21 would be a major statement for the rangy Dubliner, who’s keen to show the UFC that he has more to offer than his TUF experience might suggest.
Does 2015 represent a last throw of the dice for a shot in the UFC? Perhaps. But few middleweights on the European circuit would relish locking horns with Chris Fields, so don’t write him off just yet.
And five more who could also make a big impact…
Damien Rooney (10-4-1) - An experienced flyweight from Newry who suffered a costly loss in his last outing, the relative lack of depth in the 125lbs division means that a couple of wins in 2015 would have the 30-year-old right back on track.
Catherine Costigan (5-0) – The undefeated Limerick lady has made her mark with three Cage Warriors wins over the last twelve months, and CWFC gold will be her immediate aim. But with no atomweight division currently in operation in the UFC, the 35-year-old may need to move up to 115lbs if she has ambitions of following in Aisling Daly’s footsteps.
Peter Queally (5-1) – Another Straight Blast Gym product, Waterford’s Peter Queally is regarded highly by John Kavanagh and his SBG team-mates. Currently plying his trade with South African promotion EFC, Queally will hope to secure a shot at their welterweight belt this year before making the step-up. But the 29-year-old knows he’ll need to add some stoppage wins to his record, having taken all of his victories via decision thus far.
Tommy Quinn (6-1) - A series of injuries kept the Derry athlete out of action in 2014, but a productive 2015 should see Quinn climb the rankings again. Training in Newcastle alongside UFC veteran Ross Pearson and current CWFC champion Alex Enlund, the 25-year-old welterweight will need to make an impact in Cage Warriors’ competitive 170lbs division before attracting the attention of the UFC.
Andy Young (6-6) – His record may not be easy on the eye, but don’t let that fool you. After making a premature professional debut in 2011, Young has now settled in the flyweight division and was on a 5-1 run before a recent loss to top Romanian star Paul Marin – via a very tight decision. If Young’s current rate of improvement continues, that record will be looking much healthier this time next year for the 25-year-old from Newtownards.
Five Irish MMA fighters you should be keeping track of in 2015
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS has never been so popular in Ireland thanks to the exploits of Conor McGregor, Cathal Pendred, Aisling Daly et al, but the country’s first batch of MMA stars should have some extra Irish company at the top of the sport in 2015.
While MMA is still in the early stages of its development on these shores, there is a long list of athletes you may not yet be aware of who are capable of increasing Ireland’s presence in the sport’s top organisation, the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
So as Irish MMA gears itself up for what will hopefully be another big year, we gazed into our crystal ball to try and predict which fighters are most likely to grab your attention in the coming weeks and months.
JOSEPH DUFFY
It’s probably fair to say that more is expected of Duffy (12-1) than any prospect — Irish or otherwise — currently outside the UFC. His status as the last fighter to defeat Conor McGregor and Norman Parke has had a significant part to play in the hype that has attached itself to the 26-year-old from Donegal.
After starting his stint with Cage Warriors Fighting Championship, Europe’s top organisation, with four consecutive wins, including the aforementioned submission of McGregor, Duffy opted to turn his attention to boxing for a while and put together an unblemished 7-0 record, before deciding to move back to MMA early last year.
Everything has gone according to plan since then. A win over Damien Lapilus on his return was followed in November by an incredible early KO of Julien Boussuge at Cage Warriors 74 in London’s Olympic Park.
Duffy may be the next challenger for the CWFC belt, but a move to the UFC is imminent. It’s a matter of when, and not if, for the London-based lightweight, who possesses all the tools to have a long and successful career at the summit of the sport.
PHILIP MULPETER
Despite winning his only fight of the year, Mulpeter (7-4) didn’t have a 2014 to remember. Several scheduled bouts fell through, most recently in November when he had to pull out of an eagerly-anticipated meeting with undefeated English prospect Tom Breese after sustaining a cut above his eye in training just three days prior to the fight.
As a result, the 26-year-old needs to have a productive 2015 if he’s to prove that his ability hasn’t yet been reflected in his record. Since joining Cage Warriors in 2012, Mulpeter has had two comprehensive wins but two narrow decision losses, the second of which came at the hands of UFC veteran John Maguire.
Mulpeter’s style is more grinding than extravagant, but the Laois native is extremely durable and difficult to dominate. Beforehand, the bout against Maguire was seen by many as a mismatch, and although the decision ultimately went against him, Mulpeter’s stock rose significantly as he showed that he’s capable of mixing it with UFC-calibre opposition.
Having alternated between lightweight and welterweight for a spell, Mulpeter now seems to have settled on a run at the 170lbs division, and is likely to improve even further this year as he continues to train daily with the likes of Conor McGregor, Cathal Pendred and Gunnar Nelson.
His latest contract with Cage Warriors has now expired so details of his next bout are unknown, but Mulpeter’s aim for this year will be to get three or four fights under his belt in order to add some gloss to his record. After a tough time in 2014, a slice of luck would be welcome too.
PAUL REDMOND
A 28-year-old lightweight from Donaghmede, Redmond (10-4) has been one of Irish MMA’s major success stories of recent years, having also revived his career under the Cage Warriors banner.
Before making his first CWFC appearance in June 2012, Redmond’s then-unimpressive record of three wins and three losses meant he was unknown outside of Ireland. But since that victory over Yuri Malko at Cage Warriors 47 in Dublin, he has embarked on a 7-1 run that has brought him to prominence across Europe.
Nobody has won more Cage Warriors fights than Redmond since he made his debut for the promotion, but a slip-up against highly-rated Polish prospect Mateusz Teodorczuk just over a year ago put a minor dent in his progress, giving him his only taste of defeat in his eight CWFC bouts.
MMA is a results business, but entertaining the crowd is just as important. Redmond has been doing both. Renowned for an adventurous submission offence, nine of his ten professional wins have come inside the distance, and his one decision victory saw him pick up a ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus.
Redmond was due to take on English veteran Mick Sinclair in November and a win would probably have been his most significant to date, but an injury to the Dubliner forced him to withdraw from the contest. However, Redmond has now returned to full fitness and is awaiting news of his next outing.
Currently fighting out of Dublin’s Team Ryano alongside the likes of UFC flyweight Neil Seery, Paul Redmond will seek to end 2015 having earned a shot at CWFC lightweight champion Stevie Ray, and/or an offer from the UFC.
TOMMY McCAFFERTY
Undefeated McCafferty (6-0) was an ISKA World Kickboxing champion before electing to focus on MMA in 2012. Last year he signed to Cage Warriors and looked impressive when defeating Dean Reilly in his toughest bout so far.
Another Donegal fighter, McCafferty recently spent time in Brazil as he aims to improve his BJJ, but the 28-year-old has yet to be tested by a high-level grappler. However, his extensive striking background will make him a sizeable hurdle for anyone in the CWFC featherweight division.
The UFC probably won’t be on the horizon for McCafferty this year, but putting himself in the CWFC title picture would represent a very significant step in the right direction.
CHRIS FIELDS
Perhaps the most familiar name on our list due to last year’s appearance on The Ultimate Fighter and his status as a former Cage Warriors champion, Fields (10-5-1) is facing into what looks set to be a make-or-break year.
He departed empty-handed from TUF, but having entered the competition at light-heavyweight, Fields should benefit from moving back down to the middleweight division when he begins his 2015 campaign for UK promotion BAMMA next month against Frenchman Cheick Kone.
He turns 32 later this year, but you get the feeling that we’ve yet to see the best of Chris Fields. Known for his entertaining style which features plenty of spectacular high-kicks, the SBG fighter has taken all ten of his wins by stoppage.
Fields has never lacked confidence and a win over Kone on February 21 would be a major statement for the rangy Dubliner, who’s keen to show the UFC that he has more to offer than his TUF experience might suggest.
Does 2015 represent a last throw of the dice for a shot in the UFC? Perhaps. But few middleweights on the European circuit would relish locking horns with Chris Fields, so don’t write him off just yet.
And five more who could also make a big impact…
Damien Rooney (10-4-1) - An experienced flyweight from Newry who suffered a costly loss in his last outing, the relative lack of depth in the 125lbs division means that a couple of wins in 2015 would have the 30-year-old right back on track.
Catherine Costigan (5-0) – The undefeated Limerick lady has made her mark with three Cage Warriors wins over the last twelve months, and CWFC gold will be her immediate aim. But with no atomweight division currently in operation in the UFC, the 35-year-old may need to move up to 115lbs if she has ambitions of following in Aisling Daly’s footsteps.
Peter Queally (5-1) – Another Straight Blast Gym product, Waterford’s Peter Queally is regarded highly by John Kavanagh and his SBG team-mates. Currently plying his trade with South African promotion EFC, Queally will hope to secure a shot at their welterweight belt this year before making the step-up. But the 29-year-old knows he’ll need to add some stoppage wins to his record, having taken all of his victories via decision thus far.
Tommy Quinn (6-1) - A series of injuries kept the Derry athlete out of action in 2014, but a productive 2015 should see Quinn climb the rankings again. Training in Newcastle alongside UFC veteran Ross Pearson and current CWFC champion Alex Enlund, the 25-year-old welterweight will need to make an impact in Cage Warriors’ competitive 170lbs division before attracting the attention of the UFC.
Andy Young (6-6) – His record may not be easy on the eye, but don’t let that fool you. After making a premature professional debut in 2011, Young has now settled in the flyweight division and was on a 5-1 run before a recent loss to top Romanian star Paul Marin – via a very tight decision. If Young’s current rate of improvement continues, that record will be looking much healthier this time next year for the 25-year-old from Newtownards.
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