Gary Rooney interview

Ringkasan

Gary Rooney is a professional flyweight fighting out of Sbg HQ, he competes at Cage Warriors Dublin this weekend We speak about his upcoming fight, what it's like to be fighting back in Dublin again so his army of fans from the flats in the city centre can come and support him…

Transkrip (youtube_captions)

So, I'm here with the one and only Mr. Gary Rooney from the flats. Uh, one of my favorite people that I was watching coming through the amateur scene. I've been to one of my favorite fights and atmospheres was yourself and Jamie Abisset. Like, that was just >> unbelievable. Me and Nikki Coyle still talk about that to this day. Just the atmosphere how it was. And it's it's great to see how far you've come since then. You went on a streak. I watched that. Then you you went into pro. But thank you very much for joining me. How are you feeling fight week? The sun looks like it's out there behind you. You must be in a good mood. >> Yeah, I have the last little bit now. I'm in the corner in the flats here. This is the last little bit of sunshine we'll probably get now for the day. But yeah, it's going good, bro. Yeah, camp has been going great. Yeah, it's been a real tough one. And I'm really looking forward to Saturday night. Yeah. >> Yeah. And with fight week, what what does fight week look like for you? Cuz I I would assume you wouldn't have a huge amount of weight to cut. So, or or do you have a huge amount of weight cut? Like what what does fight week look like for Gary? >> Uh I have a little bit of weight to cut, I would say. I'm somewhere in the middle. You know what I mean? Like that. I'm not cutting too much weight. And I'm not I'm probably the heaviest I've ever been this far out and trying to do it a little bit more professional. But it just goes from training 24/7 to not doing so much. So you do be bored to be honest. I'm only off the game. I'm only off the Xbox playing Fortnite. Yeah. But uh yeah, it's a lot more it's a lot more chilling and watching Disney and Netflix and playing the game than it is usually uh during the camp. Yeah. >> Yeah. That's a question I actually always uh ask fighters is cuz you're training 24/7. I know how much you train and obviously your your personal life. But to switch off like that, is is it hard to switch off from going 100% then to have to definitely >> Yeah. Yeah. You definitely get a bit anxious in that sense. I think because you just, you know, it's coming so close to the fight, you feel like you need to do a load. But I think that's the difference probably between like a professional and an amateur is knowing when you've done enough and know when you know when to stop when when you're going to peak. >> Yeah, 100%. And and obviously his cage warriors is going to be your second appearance on it as well. Um, talk to us what like because the end of your amateur career, you you were fighting a lot in England because you you fought Tommy Clark, I remember uh because you were kind of the two best in in each country at the time and you spent a lot of time fighting maybe in the UK and stuff. How did it feel to come back and fight in Dublin in four cage wise? What was that feeling like Gary? >> Yeah, it's great. It's absolutely unbelievable to be honest. Yeah. And I'm just looking like like what you were saying there about the fight with Jamie. Like I think if that had have been on a cage warrior was like it's you know they'd be back every bleeding week, you know. It was such an electric atmosphere. You could [ __ ] you could feel the whole cage shake. You know what I mean? It was like and I'm looking forward to bringing that to a big stage. You know, the flats always come that [ __ ] crazy. And it's just good to be able to uh show them, you know what I mean? Like that on a on a big huge stage, you know what I mean? Like that. They've been in GA halls with Cage Legacy and now it's time to upgrade the Cage Warriors to the RDS, you know, and they're all coming with me, you know. So, it's great to uh it's great to be able to show them that. Yeah. >> Yeah. And it's good as well. And we talked before extensively we've done an MMA in depth as well. Um and you want to show people in the flash that that there is a way out and you don't have to go the wrong ways. Like how does it feel to inspire people? Because I'm sure you have a lot of people have said to me that Gary Rooney is like a an inspiration for you because you're so good at just what does that make you feel like if if people say that you that they look up to you and what you've done coming from where you've come from. Is it surreal? >> I Yeah, surreal would probably be the word I was just about to say to be honest in that sense. Like I never thought growing up that you kind of be a [ __ ] a person kids would look up to. You know what I mean? You're just going through your daily life, you know? You never think you're [ __ ] uh you never think people might look up to you, you know? But it is it's very inspiring in that sense, you know what I mean? And it makes me very very proud of uh all the training I'm at doing and just you know it's it's nice to be able to actually be a a figure that people could maybe show the kids oh look at him he's training away and [ __ ] you know like that could be you they're saying to the kids or whatever you know so I guess it is it's it's very even inspiring for me you know what I mean it keeps my head screwed on my shoulders. >> Yeah. You know, it's good. And then obviously in the meantime, well, it's it's a long one. I don't know how old your your child is, but obviously that brings a bit more to it then as well being that role model. Has that changed your view on things? >> Ah, 100%. It makes you realize like this isn't everything in that sense. Do you know what I mean? It is. It's it's me uh it's me passion and it's me love, but at the end of the day, win, lose, or draw on Saturday, I'm I'm going home to see him. You know what I mean? So it is it's definitely uh I think having kids is something people who only have kids can actually understand. You know what I mean? In that sense like it's a your mind just switches I think. >> Yeah 100%. Like my I have a 19year-old believe it or not and he just finished his army train and two weeks ago passed out in the army. >> So I obviously not all the way [ __ ] I think I am. I'm only half [ __ ] >> And also 10 people are watching now Gary not six. Yeah, >> nice, nice. Yeah, we we've up the viewership. >> Just on that reel alone, it went viral to 10. But um yeah, you were on on such a streak going through your arm and then obviously you had the loss as well. Can you elaborate on on kind of >> what that kind of done to you maybe mentally or did it affect you mentally or what way was it after the fight cuz it was long streak to then to come to a halt and and what was the feeling like? Ah, it was tough. Of course it is. Every loss is tough. You know, I've lost before. It wasn't me first time losing, but Bobb's a very good guy, you know what I mean? Like that. Like he's now slack, you know what I mean? He's he's one of the top guys in uh the country and in Europe, to be honest, you know what I mean? I think Bobby brings a tough fight to anybody. And it was it was hard. I guess I just wasn't maybe fully invested mentally, you know what I mean? I probably [ __ ] I wanted out there before I even went in, if that makes sense. You know, it's happened to me a few times that not in all me losses and some losses I've just lost. Now again, I'm not taking that in away from Bobby. He bet me fair and square. You know what I mean? Like that he shut down me game. He [ __ ] smacked me with a right hand in the first 10 seconds to set me on me hold. You know what I mean? Like that. But h I was I took some bonuses away from me, you know what I mean? Like he didn't finish me. He's a top guy and stuff like that. But I was it was tough in that sense. But again, bro, like when you have the kid, like you realize it's not everything, you know what I mean? Like that. It's not [ __ ] I didn't go home and I didn't think about quitting. I just said right back on the horse, fix the mistakes and let's go again. And then me next fight then look how good I look. You know what I mean? So it definitely was a a blessing in disguise I think. Yeah. >> Yeah. No and sometimes it happens and and props and props to Bobby. Sorry to cut you off but you know I'm not taking away from Bobby. He he won that fight fair and square. You know what I mean? I did train. I did do hard work. It's not like he bet a bad version of me. I went in, I was ready to win that fight. But Bobby doing what he needed to do and he got the victory against me, you know, and he stole some of that thunder and he's using it himself now, you know. >> Yeah. Cuz you I find when that happens when someone comes in with a load of momentum and then the guy beats them can can take that momentum and then run with that momentum. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. He and he is he's fighting for the the shock or strap now for the banttom title it could be. So, you know, hats off to him. >> Yeah. No, I like that. That's what I love about you. You're very honest and humble and and you always go back. You never try to blame anything else. You kind of look at your own thoughts. You told me before and this is what I found interesting cuz a lot of people say win or learn. Obviously that's a uh John Ka saying but you said even when you win you learn you look back at your tape. Is that something you still do? >> Yeah. Yeah of course. Even at the last fight you know I took like it was a very uh there was a fourth round finish by Arbar but there was still things that I still need to do. You know what I mean? Like that. >> Yeah. And with that fit, that was such a slick finish. What was it like in the moment transitioning in that position, getting the arm out like that? Like, did you just see that opening, get it, and there you go? Cuz I remember watching and going, classic Gary Rooney. >> Yeah. Nice. Uh, no, I'd actually kind of visualized it a few days before and kind of the night before. I'd seen in some of his fights, he kind of leaves his arm there when he's in the clos guard. So I I had a feeling I I kind of knew if I if he went into me guard I'd arm bar him. So the night before I did I had a visualization of it if he cuz he likes to control the biceps. So I knew if he goes near my biceps he's getting his blade and arm broke >> and he nearly did. But one thing I'll say about you is is when you look at the caliber and this is what I really admire about you. when you look at the caliber of fighters that you fought like even from your first fight against Maru George like >> that that was a tough fight and that guy I I was actually looking at his record the other day he's one and four and that is absolutely insane to me because he is so good. >> Yeah. No, it is it's one of them it's he's one of those guys where maybe people might bring him over because they think he's an easy fight and anybody who fights him will be shocked. You know what I mean? He's an absolute fantastic guy. He's a great competitor and you know I've trained with him after that after that fight and we've had some wars. You know what I mean? >> Is he actually I've seen some uh photos. Is he in SPG now? >> Yeah, he's in SPG. Yeah. And he's he's doing well. Yeah. >> Yeah. No, he's a very good fighter. And then obviously you've done a nice little contingent I know with yourself. You've got like yourself, Amy Scully, Richie Smullen who do this together. Richie Smullen. I was talking to Will about this the other day. Do you think Richie doesn't get the flowers he deserves? I think Richie is a fantastic talent and he doesn't get shouted about as much. I think >> Yeah, I think if Richie was English, he'd probably be all over everywhere in that sense. You know what I mean? Like I do think like maybe it's cuz he's not too sure, but he definitely flows under the radar for a lot of people, but like when you look at his record and the people he's beating and when you look on topology, I'm pretty sure he's number one. You know what I mean? Like that the number one guy not signed to the UFC as a featherweight or lightweight, whatever it may be. But I think the people who know know when you talk about when you talk to fighters, the fighters know, but maybe the fans might not know all across Europe and stuff like that. But every fighter definitely knows who he is. You know, he's your fighter's favorite fighter. >> Yeah. No, he he is. It's 100%. And I was even saying the likes of Will Flory doesn't get the credit he deserves. I don't think. >> Um it's I don't know whether it's us as a a cultural thing with us that or is it just overall I don't know. Do we do they get enough credit for mainstream? I think might be an issue. Yeah, I'm not too sure what it is to be honest, but like Smullen is one of the best fighters in the whole world. Never mind Europe or one of the best fighters to come out of like he really is like you put Smullen in against anybody in the whole world and he's going to give them a fight. You know what I mean? Like that. And he's going to a competitive fight, you know what I mean? He's he's up there. If you stuck him in against Islam, I'd put me money on Smallen, you know what I mean? That's how much I know how hard he is. I know how how technically good he is. You know what I mean? Never mind his toughness. His toughness is one thing to talk about, but his skill is so insane. You know what I mean? He's he's so good. >> Yeah. From technical heart, everything that that guy has it all together. He puts it in. He's and he's been a good mentor figure for the likes of yourself and Amy Scully who's absolutely flying as well. Like how is it watching the likes of Amy come through the scene and doing how well she's doing and then you being a part of her journey? Like do you do you ever feel kind of like you're the fighter but you're kind of like part of people's journeys as well helping come true? What >> I guess it's Yeah, I guess it's just kind of doing what was done for me in that sense. You know, if Amy ever needs some help after class, you know, like Richie was there for me when I was 14, he kind of picked me up and he [ __ ] gave me some extra help. So I guess it's just again helping out the younger generations, isn't it? Like I have time for everybody, but I have a lot of time for the people who uh really work hard and you know what I mean? Stay back after class and [ __ ] you know what I mean? Like that. >> Yeah. Know and like that. You've done so well to this point. I love the way you bounce back initially after that loss. There was no excuse. You came back. You looked excellent. >> What can we do >> in you looked excellent in cage wires. I can't wait to see what the reception is going to be like for you this weekenders. I got to let you go. I'm going to ask you one or two more questions. We talked about you and Jamie. Jamie and Matthew are fighting, two people that you've seen. >> I think that's a banger. You've got Keat and Damian McKenna. Um, >> yeah, >> I've been a bit vocal about this recently because there's so much talent. I think the the Irish lads on provided the stage is on like Cage Wires, I would say. Yeah. Regional shows maybe not so much. But do you think to be the cream of the crop in Ireland, we all have to start kind of competing against each other now once the stage and circumstances is right? Uh I don't know. Yes and no. I guess you know there's a lot of people out there to fight. You know what I mean? Like that there is a lot of people you know. So I guess like putting them against each other it does the min not diminish but the minister is probably the wrong word but you know like it's it is taken away from the talent pill that Ireland does have. You know what I mean? Like Jamie versus Matthew is >> they've done it amateur. You know what I mean? Like that Jamie lost that fight. So obviously he wants her back. But in that sense like it's uh you are taking away from the flyweight talent pill. There's flyweights all over Europe they could have fought but obviously carers wanted to match them two up and same with Damian and Keith you know what I mean the two great lads but at the end of the day you can only fight who they put in front you know you can't [ __ ] when you're at this level you're here to fight. >> Yeah exact like I said if circumstances are right I think it's okay. is like Shauna is in the UFC and Chanel Dyier got contract and I was like when they first went prom Imagine seeing that fight again and then someone said no I wouldn't want to see that unless it was in the UFC I don't want to see Shan and Chanel fight again they're too good >> but >> yeah exactly pay them what they're worth >> yeah and like that we've got when you see the contingent of people we have in the UFC all be it hasn't gone all our way as of late but what kind of hope and inspiration does that give you that it's not too far away for yourself once you keep the head down. >> No, 100%. And h Sean has given me the opportunity to help corner and stuff like that. So, I've been in the corner uh twice now. May three times actually it's been. And you know, I think I said maybe in the MMA depth interview, he was talking about kind of like being in the backstage before I ever had me first fight and then like maybe being in Blrist's corner for Bellator or Obama. I was, you know, so like being in those situations without actually me being the person making the walk, it definitely does help, you know what I mean? Like that. And I think gaining that experience by being there in the moment definitely does help when you are when it is you then. Do you know what I mean? In that sense. So same like with this cage where he was like I've been in the I've been in the back room of big shows and stuff like that. So I know how it feels. I know how it changes and it's not a frightening experience and you know not many people get that opportunity. I know how the UFC runs. I know how I've seen I've seen behind the scenes. You know what I mean? So, when it does come to my turn, I know it's not going to be as overwhelming as it would be if I hadn't felt them. >> Yeah. Cuz cuz like that going into a big stage, you walk into this big arena. Ema Darcy said it the other day, going from fighting in uh regional shows to going into the RDS in through the back door instead of into watch it. She was kind of like, whoa. And then there's cameras in your face and she's just like, whoa, this is a bit bit much. >> Yeah, it's different. It's different, you know what I mean? And I'm very grateful for Sean for allowing me to see that, you know what I mean? Like that. So, it's a it's a good advantage to have over people who haven't. >> Yeah. No, 100%. I can't wait to see what happens with you this Saturday. I'm going to let you go. Thank you very much for taking it so close by. It's been an absolute pleasure. >> No problem. >> We'll pump these numbers up to 15 viewers by the next time. Yeah. Is there anything you want to say before you go? H big thank you to just all me friends and family who bought tickets and stuff and then uh just to me sponsors, you know what I mean? They make everything a lot easier and I'd be lost without them. I wouldn't be here without the sponsors. I've had so many from the very start and I'm just very grateful to be able to do what I love and come see Saturday night. Yeah. And you're going to see another the flats takeover. Yeah. >> Yeah. You up the flats. Thank you so much. Enjoy the rest of your day and best of skill this weekend. Thank you very much, Dave.