Future MMA World Champion from Strabane

[The Iceman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8FGgaeSOnw&feature=youtu.be
James Gallagher started training in Mixed Martial Arts at 12/13. It became apparent that he had a natural talent and at age 16 he now lives and trains full time (away from his family) in Dublin training under one of the most acclaimed MMA coaches in the world at Straight Blast Gym.

This guy has all the tools and the dedication to be a champ.

[Syferus]

Let's see if he's a day-cent minor before we go giving him the All-Star.

[gallsman]

Video opens with "MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world". Are there stats to back this up?

[The Iceman]

I never really looked for stats on it tbh. I know it is increasing in popularity all over the world. It's on TV everywhere. I know that all the major TV networks have signed deals to broadcast it - FOX, Viacom, BT Sports in the UK. I know the fighters pay has increased exponentially over the past 10 years to the point where the top guys were earning $100,000 per year to $1 million a fight. Jon Jones is the current LHW champion, sponsored by Gatorade and Nike - he has a line of shoes named after him and he competes in a sport that competes barefoot....
This SBG gym in Dublin is top notch. Our own Geezer trains there. It produces the best local talent on the UK and Irish MMA scene and has now received global recognition.
there are MMA gyms in most major cities all over Ireland.

Not saying all of this proves its the fasting growing sport in the world but it certainly has attention and momentum....

[gallsman]

I never really looked for stats on it tbh. I know it is increasing in popularity all over the world. It's on TV everywhere. I know that all the major TV networks have signed deals to broadcast it - FOX, Viacom, BT Sports in the UK. I know the fighters pay has increased exponentially over the past 10 years to the point where the top guys were earning $100,000 per year to $1 million a fight. Jon Jones is the current LHW champion, sponsored by Gatorade and Nike - he has a line of shoes named after him and he competes in a sport that competes barefoot....
This SBG gym in Dublin is top notch. Our own Geezer trains there. It produces the best local talent on the UK and Irish MMA scene and has now received global recognition.
there are MMA gyms in most major cities all over Ireland.

Not saying all of this proves its the fasting growing sport in the world but it certainly has attention and momentum....

In MMA, only those at the very top who've started to have cross-over appeal make big money - Jones, Silva, GSP etc.

The fact that UFC is run as "promotion" with contracted fighters like professional wrestling will limit how big the sport can become.

Iceman, what in particular makes you think this young lad has the stuff to be a future champion - that video didn't go into any detail at all and just mentioned that he'd won some grappling competitions. Are there other videos out there?

[The Iceman]

I seen a couple of video's of him actually being beaten by submission but his technique is phenomenal. He is going in against lads a lot heavier and stronger and doing well. I know what it takes to get to Purple belt and for him to do it in 3-4 years is some achievement. It took me 2 years of graft to get my blue and I think it took Kieran McGeeney 10 years to get his purple. To leave home at 13 and dedicate your life to a sport can only mean big things ahead for his young lad when you add that to his natural athleticism and raw talent and who he is being coached by.
Watch this space.....

[OakleafCounty]

I seen a couple of video's of him actually being beaten by submission but his technique is phenomenal. He is going in against lads a lot heavier and stronger and doing well. I know what it takes to get to Purple belt and for him to do it in 3-4 years is some achievement. It took me 2 years of graft to get my blue and I think it took Kieran McGeeney 10 years to get his purple. To leave home at 13 and dedicate your life to a sport can only mean big things ahead for his young lad when you add that to his natural athleticism and raw talent and who he is being coached by.
Watch this space.....

This happens the world over in most sports and definitly doesn't mean he'll be a world champion. What's the purple belt in, Ju Jitsu? Was McGeeny doing it during his playing career?

[nrico2006]

http://strabanechronicle.com/2013/05/19286/

[bridgegael]

Remember mcgeeney against the aussies.  Some big had oz had mcgeeney pinned to the ground,  then mcgeeney wrestled him and had him.pinned down.   He must have been at it then.

[Tony Baloney]

http://strabanechronicle.com/2013/05/19286/

Looks about 12.

[NAG1]

I seen a couple of video's of him actually being beaten by submission but his technique is phenomenal. He is going in against lads a lot heavier and stronger and doing well. I know what it takes to get to Purple belt and for him to do it in 3-4 years is some achievement. It took me 2 years of graft to get my blue and I think it took Kieran McGeeney 10 years to get his purple. To leave home at 13 and dedicate your life to a sport can only mean big things ahead for his young lad when you add that to his natural athleticism and raw talent and who he is being coached by.
Watch this space.....

By that rationale every kid that went across the water to an English football club would make it, you are not taking all facts or possibilities in to consideration here. Just because he is local and hard working doesnt mean he is going to make it.

[nrico2006]

I seen a couple of video's of him actually being beaten by submission but his technique is phenomenal. He is going in against lads a lot heavier and stronger and doing well. I know what it takes to get to Purple belt and for him to do it in 3-4 years is some achievement. It took me 2 years of graft to get my blue and I think it took Kieran McGeeney 10 years to get his purple. To leave home at 13 and dedicate your life to a sport can only mean big things ahead for his young lad when you add that to his natural athleticism and raw talent and who he is being coached by.
Watch this space.....

By that rationale every kid that went across the water to an English football club would make it, you are not taking all facts or possibilities in to consideration here. Just because he is local and hard working doesnt mean he is going to make it.

Think he is already the european champion though, which is some achievement at his age.

[Denn Forever]

Sounds like a nice levelheaded lad.

[Eamonnca1]

I'm just butting into this thread to make a very important announcement:

I have no interest in MMA.

That is all. Carry on.

[The Iceman]

I think we can be optimistic of his future success the way many people might have been when a young football star emerges like Caolan Mooney. How can people tell he is going to be a star for that sport but not this? To have the success Jamie has had at domestic and European level at his age. To see him fight and grapple and understand his technique he has everything it takes to go all the way.

McGeeney was definitely training when he swept that guy in the International Rules series. It was a joy to watch and a little neck crank at the end for good measure.

I didn't expect Eamonn that you would have any interest in it - but thats ok.