Fight Before Christmas 3 Review

							                              The Fight Before Christmas III Review

December got off flying start with the 3rd offering of Barry Oglesby’s “The Fight Before Christmas”. “It really was a
great night, I couldn’t be happier. Over 400 people came out in that weather so I was delighted the card lived up to
all I’d hoped for, some really great fights” said Oglesby.

Oglesby, originally from Santry in Dublin, is head MMA coach at the Informed Performance gym in Glasnevin. His
training in the “pyjama sports” began during his college years, reaching a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo. Having
fallen in love with the fight game he progressed on to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, recently receiving his purple belt, in his
quest for the best fighting system. Long before the rise in MMA’s popularity in Ireland, Oglesby and some friends
had a Sunday morning fight club where he quickly found the session didn’t start till he arrived, prompting him to
start coaching. Oglesby’s agrees that you’ll never work a day in your life if you’re doing what you love, which for him
is coaching, promoting events and running a gym in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts.

One of the largest combat sports facilities in Ireland, Oglesby is constantly looking to attract new talent to the
Informed Performance gym. “We’ve had a great few years and now have a very professional feeling set up in the
gym. We’ve got 3 pro MMA fighters very active in the Irish circuit and have an exciting program lined up for them in
2011. I’d welcome anyone who’s wants to come down to the gym and see what we have got to offer.”

On the rise in popularity of MMA in Ireland, Oglesby is quiet balanced. Though mainstream acceptance may still be
some time off he’d settle for credibility amongst the sporting community. “Fighters deserve credit as hard working,
talented athletes not meatheads straight off the street. If that happens, the mainstream coverage will eventually
follow.”

The Fight Before Christmas card featured some seasoned Irish MMA talent with the likes of Paddy Hoolihan, Andreas
Lovbrand, Tim Murphy and Paul Cowzer all in action.

“Fight of the Night” went to Rush Fight Academy’s Alan Kerslake and Brendan O’Shea from Midelton Fight Academy
in a 3 round war. O’Shea used his sharp muay Thai striking to complement his solid MMA game to shave a decision
over Kerslake who was coming into this show off a win at Battlezone 1 a week prior.

On any other card the main event would have easily been awarded fight of the night honours as Team Ryano’s
Ritchie Edgeworth edged out Grant Carroll from Oglesby’s IPMMA team. After 3 rounds the fighters were only
separated by 1 point on the judge’s scorecards. Carroll, an explosive grappler, had takedowns repeatedly stuffed by
Edgeworth over the course of the bout. Edgeworth gained in confidence and capitalised with crisp boxing and
ground and pound when the fight remained on the mat.

Full results from the card

   Bantamweight - Ritchie Edgeworth (Team Ryano) defeated Grant Carroll (IPMMA) via Decision
   Welterweight - Rab Cooke (PCCB) defeated Przemek Mucha (IPMMA) via Decision
   Featherweight - Dee Murphy (PCCB) defeated Glen Mulcahy (IPMMA) via Guillotine choke Round 1
   Heavyweight - Karl Moore (PCCB) defeated Kenneth Brett (SBG) via KO Round 2
   Luke Corcoran (SBG) defeated Kieran O’Donnell (TDD) via Rear Naked Choke Round 1
   Martynas Suslavicius (Leixlip) defeated Giedrius Meksarunas (IPMMA) via KO Round 2
   Brendan O’Shea (Cork) defeated Alan Kerslake (Rush Fight Academy) via Decision
   Paddy Hoolihan (SBG) defeated Andreas Lovbrand (Hilti) via Kimora Round 1
   Tim Murphy (PBS) defeated Paul Cowzer (Rush Fight Academy) via Rear Naked Choke Round 1
   Joey Breslin (SBG) defeated Ross Fegan (SW) via Omaplata Round 2
   David “The Pole” defeated Sid Allen (PBS) via TKO Round 3

Fergus Ryan, December 2010