Irish MMA Rewind

Summary

Irish MMA Rewind Cage Contender 13 April 28th 2012, The Kings Hall in Belfast was the scene for an epic night of MMA action that has been talked about in lore for years after. Those in attendance would not in the moment realise they were witnessing an historic night, future UFC…

Caption

Irish MMA Rewind

 

Cage Contender 13

 

April 28th 2012, The Kings Hall in Belfast was the scene for an epic night of MMA action that has been talked about in lore for years after. Those in attendance would not in the moment realise they were witnessing an historic night, future UFC stars, local legends and an epic battle for the ages between UFC veteran, and the main inspiration for John Danahers leg lock revolution in BJJ, Dean Lister & Irish MMA pioneer and now legendary and much respected coach of Next Gen NI in Ballymena, Rodney Moore.

 

The card would also feature two young men who would achieve great things both regionally and internationally as Paddy ‘the hooligan’ Holahan (representing SBG) would take on Damien Rooney (representing EFR). Both men would go on to inspire the next generation of talented fighters from the Island, and gain huge respect from their fellow peers within Irish MMA. Paddy would go on to fight in the UFC, notably being the first Irish Athlete to win and finish a UFC fight on Irish Soil. He is also the first Irish man to win as both a fighter and a coach in the UFC.

 

The Card would also feature future Cage Warriors lightweight Champion Joe McColgan in a winning performance over Levi Keogh. And a man who will make a return to the Cage in November, Cage Warriors Veteran Gavin Kelly who was victorious over Dee Dee Murray.

 

But the Lister/Moore fight now has now gained legendary status, as the local man would go head to head with the leg lock king, and the ADCC world champion. The reception for Moore seemed to shake the very foundation of the Kings Hall as he made his way to the Cage. In what turned out would be a loosing effort, Moore more than held his own with the UFC Veteran, giving him problems on the feet and forcing Lister to hunt take downs and look for his legs. He would eventually have to tap to a heel hook in round 3. But the performance and grit shown on the night would cement Rodneys legend status within the Irish MMA community.