Czech mate for Kevin!
Thursday, 16 October 2008
Kevin McAlonan, the current British Featherweight Champion who fights out of Antrim MMA gym Elite Fighting Revolution, will be travelling to Prague this Saturday (October 18) to fight in a four-man tournament against the top fighters in Europe.
ANTRIM mixed martial arts gym, Elite Fighting Revolution, continues to punch above its weight with team member Kevin McAlonan travelling to Prague this weekend to fight in a four-man tournament against Europe's finest.
The 26-year-old electrician will be taking no prisoners come Saturday when he does battle in the 'knock-out' style competition.
A win in the Czech capital would surely sound out the local man's arrival at the top of the lightweight division across the European continent and perhaps even present the opportunity to fight among the world's elite, with the Las Vegas-based Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) coming to Dublin in January.
Kevin boasts a career record of nine wins with just three losses and one no contest, a record that saw him lift the British Featherweight title before moving up to challenge at lightweight and catch the eye of many of the sports big promoters.
Whenever the UFC travels to the UK or Ireland, top local fighters currently riding an impressive win streak are given the opportunity to fight on the biggest stage in front of millions televised on pay-per-view around the globe.
This is a possibility that hasn't gone unnoticed by the father-of-one fighting out of Antrim.
“The tournament in Prague will be a great experience and a chance to see what I'm really capable of," said Kevin. "With the UFC coming to Dublin in January, it would be nice to make an impression and get a chance on the big stage and represent the EFR Gym and my team."
Kevin's most recent win was at Ultimate Conflict in Newry on Saturday, October 4, which ended by submission in the first round via a rear-necked choke.
“It was a great win for me, since moving up to lightweight I have fought all over the UK and things are going really well."
But life as a mixed martial artist isn't just about stepping into a cage and having the door locked behind you, it's about discipline and sacrifice in all aspects of life, as Kevin explained.
“I have made a lot of sacrifices for MMA and I live with the attitude 'what you put in, is what you get out'. This counts for everything I do in my training - my diet and my dedication.
“I have made MMA my lifestyle, but not my life, as I find family important for myself to keep me humble. I am a mixed martial artist, not a 'cage fighter'.
“I find that phrase takes away from the respect of the person and the sport."
With a seemingly wise head on his shoulders and the world at his feet, Kevin told of how he first got into a misunderstood sport often condemned as barbaric.
“I first became interested in martial arts when myself and my partner went on holiday to Thailand where I first became aware of the sport of Thai boxing," said Kevin. "On my return home, I thought about taking up the sport and trained Thai in Belfast for a few months where I found it hard to fit in at the gym."
It was only when Kevin watched his first MMA show in Toome and found the EFR gym in Antrim that his 'obsession' really began.
“I was hooked when I joined - I became obsessed with the different types of combat there was to learn. To be honest, I couldn't get enough.
My coach, David Patterson, has been a great help to me in MMA and everyday life and has also become close friend. I'd like to thank David for helping to create these opportunities for me and making them possible and also all the boys at the EFR Gym.
“Mix martial arts is the purest type of combat, where it comes down to a battle of wills and who wants it more. It's a highly skilled and technical sport which consists of striking and grappling to win."
And like all aspiring sports stars on the cusp of possible super stardom, the local man dreams of someday rubbing shoulders with his sporting heroes.
“My dream for the future would be to travel to Thailand or even Hawaii to train with the world's best fighters, especially current UFC Lightweight Champion, BJ Penn - who is one of my idols.
“To make professional fighting my full-time career is my ultimate goal and maybe, even to start up my own Gym to give people another sport to become involved in, but unfortunately all that costs money so local fighters are always seeking sponsorship to help."
