Antrim fighter lifts UK title in pro debut
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Antrim MMA fighter, Barry McGuigan claimed the EFR UK Straw weight title on Saturday at the Devenish Complex in Belfast winning by submission.
A MIXED martial arts fighter from Antrim claimed the UK Straw weight title in his first professional fight in front of a packed house at the Devenish Complex in Belfast.
Barry McGuigan (23), who took up MMA just eight months ago, lifted the crown on Saturday night after beating the undefeated home favourite by submission, via a guillotine choke in the second round.
The 58 kg weight class is a relatively new introduction to Antrim-based promotion, Elite Fighting Revolution (EFR), and one that will surely attract a host of potential suitors as the sport continues to grow both locally and internationally - meaning straight back to the gym for the local UK champion.
Barry, who had been training five days a week for eight weeks for the title fight, showed excellent discipline at the weekend sticking to the game plan and keeping the fight standing.
In doing so he was able to dominate the first round stuffing any takedown attempts and gradually picking his opponent apart with superior boxing.
As his opponent again pushed to take the fight to the ground in the second stanza he left his neck open to a guillotine choke, to which the Antrim man duly responded.
“I'm more of a stand up fighter whereas he is more of a grappler so he was trying to get me off my feet," said Barry. "But he couldn't manage it and left his neck hanging."
Before Saturday's success, Barry had only competed in four amateur fights and one semi-professional fight where the rules are more stringent in order to protect fighters new to the sport.
But Barry made the transition to professional with relative ease, despite experiencing some justified nerves, and is already looking forward to defending his newly-acquired crown.
“I was a bit nervous before the fight but was still confident I could keep the fight standing. In training I had been practising my takedown defence and my fitness was right where I wanted it."
And this is just the start for the disciplined and ambitious young pro.
“I'm training hard so I can make it as a full-time fighter, that's my ultimate goal and now with the belt I feel I've got one foot in the door.
“I'd like to compete in the UK and then America, I want to be the best and fight the best - that's how you test yourself."
It's been a rapid ascension up the ranks for MMA's newest star having just found the sport less than a year ago.
“I have a background in boxing but when my club closed down I heard about MMA and took to it quite quickly," Barry said. "I like the discipline involved and the training, that's what separates it from other sports I've been involved in."
