Tonight's the night! I have been eagerly anticipating heading to this event over the last couple months. Newcomers may not know I train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and that the academy I belong to also has a great MMA curriculum. I participate just to push the real competitors and have the confidence to know that I can handle myself if I am ever forced into a fight on the street. It will be over quickly.
But this event is made up of 10 professional fights between 20 professional MMA fighters. Can't wait!
This is Ryan O'Shea. He is the head instructor/owner of our academy and black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He had a little struggle lining up an opponent for this first professional MMA fight. Turns out the promotion company picked a fighter a couple times that lined up in his weight category and had a relatively short professional career. 2 of those fighters backed out for a couple different reasons and it looked like the fight may not happen for Ryan because nobody wanted to take it.
We started calling him the Boogie Man because everyone was scared of him!
Seth Connor stepped up. He is a submission specialist and has a good record but is 20 pounds less than the desired weight class for Ryan. So, the training camp took a different turn as an already lean BJJ full time fighter knocked 20 pounds off for weight cut. Diet and activity and a relatively simple 5 pound water cut was all it took.
Here is Ryan going through his final preparation about 30 minute ago at the gym. Mentally ready and physically calm.
Here are the shirts we will all be wearing to cheer him on to victory!