10th Legion European Champion Peter Irving and Fighter’s Only Columnist comes to Pankration Kickboxing for a MMA seminar on Saturday 19th November.
Peter is one of the most respected fighters in Europe, a BJJ Black Belt under world champion Leo Negao, highly skilled in Muay Thai and Fighter’s Only magazine’s resident techniques expert. You can see his articles and techniques in every issue.
Venue:
Pankration Kickboxing Academy
Eastway Business Park, BallySimon Road, Limerick
Date Saturday 19th November
Time 1.00 PM to 5.00 PM
Cost €50
Contact Dermot on 086 3122933 . Numbers will be limited to 25 so book early to avoid disappointment.
“I’ve been training with Peter in Urban Kings for the last year. Every time I go over he shows me another level of MMA which I’m finding I can utilise in my fights. Peter is a great strategist who shows me the most simple answers to the most complex problems. If I had to describe him in one word I’d say Samurai.” Catherine Costigan
So weigh in over.
I definitely got some funny stares at Fitness First where we weighed in.
Now time for food.
I keep going over the plan in my head. Even though there are wonderful shops around Norwich this is not a sex in the city moment.:)
I must keep my eye on the prize.
My hand being raised is much better than a new pair of boots.
When we arrived at the venue, The Talk, it’s always interesting when we walk in. The boys always stare at us and I have the feeling I will only be accepted by them after I justify myself in the cage.
I could see Iman sitting down with her coach. As a fighter I always try to do one thing before the clash.
I show respect.
So I always go up and shake their hand and wish them good luck with a big smile. Iman was a bit surprised but then I am always happy to go to the dance.
Again you must remember she goes through the same 8 weeks of killer training and being pushed to the very edge of the cliff. Now of course I always hope I am the one with the parachute.
The gameplan I worked out Dermot, Tim, Rosi and Peter was to simply out wrestle her.
We knew she would be very strong(and also way younger than me, you never know what these young ones are going to do:))
We went into back area to wram up. It was pretty small but it would do.
I bought the ticket to the emotion train.
No matter what happens in the fight the only thing I can never accept is my failure to execute my plan because I didn’t bring out my potential in the fight.
First I feel nerves as I hear the screams of the crowd when the fights outside begin.
To be honest I have always found anything that scares me in life I must defeat.
No matter what the outcome I must try.
I must challenge or else what is the point of my life.
Dermot gets me warmed up with shadowboxing which I must say felt great. I feel like someone has given me lots of drugs like I was in Crank.
Then I begin smashing pads really hard in a dark corner just behind the stage which is kinda cool, but not so much for Dermot if I miss.
I throw some bone crushing punches and kicks.
Then Murphy rolling, hitting shoots and the ground and pound which he is famous for. Man, can he hurt you if you’re on the bottom,pulling guard on him is not a great idea!
I love smashing things and going really fast which is why Tim’s style of fighting suits me really well.
I think that I could never do this without Dermot and Tim. They inspire me, they make me unbreakable. They take care of me and they always have my back.
Now it’s time to go.
My drums start over the sound system.
The crowd waits for me.
I always make them wait to build the atmosphere, get them excited about what’s going to entertain them.
I enter the cage with my hand raised because I know I’m no 1.
This might sound cocky but it’s not the time to doubt myself.
Iman comes into the cage pretty pumped up, jumping up and down. I can see she wants to win badly.
It's funny. I always know how much my coaches care when I see them outside the cage, they look so worried!
We touch gloves.
I start pretty good. Dermot shouts out "Watch for a big right". So I keep my distance and land a 1-2 combo and a low kick.
After that it’s a bit of a blur.
Clinching, constant pressure for takedowns.
Iman is strong but not 100% able to change her plan of attack.
As in the words of Sexton, “Don’t be afraid to bin it!”
I land a big knee in the clinch which makes her cry out in pain. I score a good takedown.
She tries a nice armbar from the guard but I defend it and rain down some hammerfists on her face.
Her face is really funny. I keep on hitting her but she’s stubborn and won’t let go of the arm. I can’t believe I didn’t see the armbar coming but when you’re under pressure you miss things. So I stay calm and let her waste her energy.
Round 2
Where ever she goes I must make a dead end for her attacks.
Keep moving. Judges watching.
High crotch to the skies. Dermot tells me later it’s the first time he’s seen a high crotch pick up and carry across the cage in a women’s match.
On the way down she tries to guillotine choke me. The big gloves we are wearing give me problems. My windpipe is safe but it takes time to pop my head out. All I’m thinking is my poor coaches, because they can’t really see whether it’s on or not.”
To be honest, coaches need way more credit. I’d rather be a fighter anyday than suffering all the constant cardiac arrests. 🙂
I land another big knee from north south control and finish the fight on top.
At the end the MC announces that it was a very technical battle which is a great compliment.
And now the pay off.
And the winner is... The Alpha Female! Catherine Costigan!
I always love getting changed in the bathroom afterwards and meeting some of the most interesting women. I always love the same question. Oh my God, how do you stick to your diet?
But I do enjoy these conversations as the girls are really supportive and appreciative of my effort. And I have to say I want their respect more than any man’s. I do it for them.
Girls rule! Boys drool!
Now off to DFC in Norwich, the best chicken and chips ever.
Myself and Iman are now good friends and I look forward to training with her in the future. MMA is a great thing, imagine how many wars could be averted by a good old MMA tournament.
MMA brings out the very best in human spirit because that’s what it takes to survive and win in the cage.
It’s over. Now on to hip surgery 😦
Can everybody please friend Stuart Chase on FaceBook and tell him to get my DVD done. Please Alpha Female Followers play your part!
Myself and Iman will be very happy. 🙂
Training for the European Sanda Kung Fu Championships in Italy last year with my sparring partner Joanne. A big thank you to her for helping me achieve a Gold and Silver medal.
catherinecostigan 