Jordan Scully interview

Summary

Jordan Scully joined me to speak about his year last year and start of this year plus how he would like the end of the year to look like.

Transcript (youtube_captions)

Perfect. So, okay. So, I'm here with Mr. Jordan Skully. We're just less than a week removed from the nationals where he became national champion again. Obviously, he's going to go on to the worlds which going to be later on in the year. Um, since the last time I talked to him, we just actually went through this before we started. Since the last time I talked to him was only in December and since then he's had six fights, which is crazy activity. And he's going to be active again towards the end of the year with the Worlds and hopefully one before that. But thank you very much for your time. H how are you feeling? How are you feeling after the weekend and becoming a national champion again? Uh look Dave, it was nice obviously, but just back to the gym, you know, training. I was humbled straight away on Monday in the kickboxing round. So don't it doesn't feel as good anymore. But I look I'm obviously happy with it. Aiden was willing to step up. Respect to him and uh you know can't thank him enough for obviously taking the fight as well. He didn't have to, but in fairness to him he did. And uh I can't well what can I say? I can only respect him for that you know and uh you know I just can't thank him enough for taking the fight. Yeah. No, it is it is a fair page and I've seen a few times at some shows. Um but going forward obviously you've got the worlds. Well, we'll pick up kind of where I last talked to you. It was just before the Dominick Rose fights. Uh you went uh you went in and you won that fight as well. Um and then following that you went on to the IMAS. talk to us about the IMAS because obviously h you won two and then you lost the third fight. So do you want to talk to us about what your preparation was like going in and how everything was going into the IMAS? Look Dave, everything went wrong. No, sorry. Everything went right obviously. Now there was a few little dips of things that happened obviously, but look, no excuses. It was a great experience. I had three good fights obviously. Look, the third one it was very unfortunate. I just got caught early. That was it, you know. But since then I think I've you know I've made a great comeback obviously beating a world silver med medalist in Malik and then beating Aiden to become national champion. So look I think despite the result of the IMF I obviously went there to win it but I did learn a lot from that like especially that third fight just about composure other things etc. But no, look, I'll always say I'm proud of myself for putting myself out there, you know, and uh the biggest thing is I learned lessons from it. Like I took away a lot of things from it and uh it made me grow as a person and as a martial artist. Yeah. No, 100%. And that's what I love about your attitude. You're always like we're always proud when you go over because you you represent us with pride and and you go over and you always try your best and you you've come back with medals as well is which is what we like to see. But um and then you you tell me you learn from everything as well which is really good. Uh so like you won a fight threeight streak then you came back and you fought Malik again. So that was the second fight which was on Gladiator. That was the second fight. He bet you in the first fight. Talk to us about taking this how the fight how did the fight come about? Actually Dave it's actually a crazy story how this fight came about because obviously it wasn't even planned in the first way. He was supposed to fight Matthew Orc who's another killer as well. But basically, I got a text of Danny or whoever else. I forget the other lad's name, but they text they're asking me would I take it. But I was in Poland at the time doing a train camp. So they text me and they're asking me would I do it. And I said, "Lads, I will 100% take this fight, but on one condition, you pay for my flights back home." So they basically they agreed to it. They sent me the money. I booked the flight back and that's how the fight kind of fell into place, you know. But the weird thing was actually about that Dave, I was actually getting like mad dreams about like fighting him again a few days before. And now I know that sounds like crazy, but when that got off to me, I remember thinking to myself, yeah, this is a sign to take this fight. You have to take this fight. And uh you know, I knew I knew I could beat him. And that's not like me like disrespecting him or anything. He is a fantastic fighter. like the only people he's lost to are two European champions, me being included, and obviously a world champion as well. So, he's up there as one of the best in the world and in Europe. And you know me, I just want to fight the best lads possible. He obviously beat me before and it was one I wanted to get back for a long time. So, I was very happy to get that one back and you know, showcase the improvements I'd made since that first fight. Yeah. No, 100%. And like that h first time you bet. How did it feel to beat him the second time after the first time? Cuz the first time was a I believe it was a split decision. Well, it was very close, wasn't it? Uh the unanimous decision like it was a close fight, but I'd say he won it the last 10 seconds when he swept me and just got landed a couple of shots. Like it was a close fight, but look, I'm not going to be biased. He definitely deserved to win the first fight. And you know, if it wasn't for me losing that, I wouldn't have gone on to do what I did. So, you know, I obviously can't thank him enough for that. and uh you know he's a great fighter and a good person. I have nothing but respect for him. Yeah. No, 100%. And going forward is that one one now. You don't really see many trilogies in amateur MMA, but it would be a very good trilogy to have like with the shows coming. We've got Clan Wars this weekend. So that wouldn't be you wouldn't be able to make it on that one. But if you were offered him for a third time, let's say on Akuma, which is the next one, which is in August, is that a fight you'd be interested for the wealth? Cuz you'd fought at Welterweight before, so you would want to continue at Welweight, I presume. And it wouldn't it would be nice if they had a belt on it then as well. Would you be interested in a fight like that? 100%. I don't mind what show it is. I've always wanted to do a trilogy at amateur, you know, and what better lad to do it against the Malik. So, we were even talking about it after the second fight, you know. The two of us actually had a bit of a moment. We were just [ __ ] sitting down chatting away eating a few grapes as well. So, you know, it was a nice little moment. Like the two of us, we have huge respect for each other. You know, obviously we made each other better in both those fights. So, you know, I would 100% be down for that trilogy. And in my opinion, that would definitely be the best amateur trilogy to ever happen in Ireland. So, you know, what two better lads to, you know, put on a show for a title fight and do a trilogy than me and Malik. I can't think of anyone else. So, you know, I don't see why not. And if it's offered to me, I'll take it. Yeah. I don't think there has been a trilogy. Uh, no. I think it has, but it's it's hard to find one. Like you said, it'd be cool to do it. If it if it isn't the first one, it'd be cool to do the as the first one. So, look, hopefully Steven Moore will see this and uh Yeah. And then maybe maybe make the fight because that's obviously a fight that you'd love to kind of just put the decider on. Is it? Yeah. I'd look, Dave, to be honest, I said it in that interview I did with uh what's his name? You know, combat confidential. What's his name? Tony. Yeah. When I did the interview with Tony, I said in that interview, "Sir, we'll do a trilogy." And to be honest, Dave, he was willing to give me the opportunity, and he didn't have to. He could have said, "No, I'm not fighting Jordan again." But that just goes to show how game he is. The two of us are both game as [ __ ] and I don't see why not. So, if Steven wants to do this trilogy on the next Puma show, I will 100% take that. And I'm sure Malik will as well. But, like I say, for everyone I fight, nothing but respect at the end of the day. We're both in there to make each other better as fighters and as human beings. Yeah. No, 100% understand that will be hopefully Steven will make it and we we'll uh see what goes from there. But obviously you had the nationals. What's you want to go to the world? Talk to us about the world and all the IMF competitions that you've been to and maybe explain to people what benefits you find from it. What have you gained from it personally? If it's on the personal level and the skill level. So if there's anyone out there watching that might be thinking will I go for the nationals or not? you might be able to give them some information what you felt you've gained from it. Well, like I obviously know now from doing I've done six of them now, so I know I'm well able for some of the best around the Europe and in the world. And the only people I've ever lost to were champions and medalists. So I think that says a lot about me and the hard work I've put in throughout the years. But if I was to give someone advice wanting to do it, you know, just put yourself out there. What's the worst that can happen? You lose. Perfect. like you lose, you learn from it, and you get better as a result. So, put yourself out there, see where you are with the best in the world and in Europe, and you'll know where you stand and you'll know the mistakes you have to correct, etc. But for me, I think the experience is the most important because it gets you used to traveling to other countries to fight different styles, you know, like you have wrestlers, strikers, jiu-jitsu guys. Like I fought all I think I fought most of the styles. I don't think I fought all of them, but no, it just for me and my experience, it it showed me that I'm well able for some of the best around the world and in Europe. And uh I think when I go pro, this will 100% stand to me. Yeah. Know, and like that one of the good things about as well like barring a an injury or a missed weight, you're always going to have the fighter show up because everybody wants that gold medal. And it's not like a regional show. That's not saying nothing bad about the reason show. So people people might go in with a little bit more of an injury or they might like whereas they pull out a little bit easier on the show. Did you find that that was you were you knew you were definitely going to get the fights cuz people were turning up and they were turning up on their best game. Yeah, look I uh like I always say to you I just want the toughest challenges out there possible and uh you know where you stand with some of the best in Europe like I just said there. So that's one reason why I love doing these competitions. And now I do think the regional shows in Ireland, I think they're great for getting you used to like before you go pro, like let's say cutting weight, etc. I see why some lads do them more than the IMAFS, you know. But I think the both of them stand here. Like for me, IMAFS for the experience part of it to see where you stand skill-wise is some of the best. And then obviously you have the regional shows. I think they're good for like getting used to cutting weight. So that's my opinion with the differences between the two of them. Yeah. And like I think the for cutting way um I think as well because the match you go in you're in there loads of different cages and there's people kind of watching whereas the regional shows get you used to know if you walk into a hometown fight you've been in Belfast you fought on these shows like it gives you the feel of the actual event and people being there. So it's not something new when you go to especially if you go to pro the crowd. Imagine going from no crowd to like a pro cage wires crowd and nothing in between. Whereas I think this gives you a great feel for how an event will run, the timing and stuff like that. So obviously they both have their benefits uh going forward. But uh you're in SPG Nate. Talk to us about the gym at the minute. I see Nathan Chambers is is currently down there and he's fighting this weekend as well. What kind of an addition is is he to have because he's he's a very good jiujitsu guy and he's in around a weight that a lot of people could roll with and spar with. Yeah, Nate Nathan's obviously fighting uh Michael. I forget his name. No, just not trying to be disrespectful. I actually forget his second name, but he's Yeah, he's fighting one of Decky's guys. It would be a tough challenge for him. But look, Nate Nathan's been traveling every day from Draa up and back, up and back. I obviously travel from Tammore, but I said to people, he puts me to shame because he's traveling a lot longer than me. Like I think obviously I travel a lot, but he makes mine look like nothing compared to his. And uh you know that just says a lot about him you know that he's willing to go through all that stress just to get high level training in. So you know he's been training hard. I've definitely seen a lot of improvements with fight IQ wise striking everything. So look I think he's going to look a million times better than what he did in his last fight this weekend. But look you never know like fight fight fights a fight anything can happen. But with the improvements I've seen in him the last few months since joining there, I'm confident enough to say I think he will get another finish this weekend. Yeah. Know it's going to be fantastic fight and it's on Clan Wars. So anyone who wants to watch that fight, tune in to Clan Wars. So we've talked about maybe potentially getting a Malik fight. You've got the world. So, like what what date is the world and and would it be just one fight you'd like to get before it or two fights or or what what you thinking about the kind of immediate future? Uh well, before the IMAPs, look, I'd like maybe one or two fights. I say it'll be one more than likely, but look, I just want to I don't want to go a few months without fighting. I just I'd like one before the IMAPs just to kind of, you know, get get used to that feeling. Now, I'm obviously used to it, but you get what I mean, you know, just to feel those nerves, feel the adrenaline, you know, and I think it's important to just have one beforehand. One or two. I'd say one more than likely, but if not, I'll train extremely hard like I always do. And uh I'll go I'll go to the IMFs and I'm confident enough to say I think based on the last one, I think I'm going to win it this time. So look, I'll just train hard towards that. Do what I always do and that's all you can do and just go in there, work hard, and hope for the best. Yeah. No, 100%. I like that if if you were to fight Malik just before he got the victory like what a high potent like what a high level person beating to know that you're going to be going in and you've just had a hard test like that. So like not like you'll go in and it'll be a very good fight. It'll be get very good tournament for you. Hopefully you bring back more gold as you have done in the past. But looking past that, I seen there's a December card for Cage Legis. That's something you'd also be interested in. Oh, Dave, 100% easily. Look, there's after this I'm at I won't mind fighting on Cage Conflict for, you know, maybe the lightweight title, super lightweight title. I Who's the champion? But which one? Uh, Cage Conflict. Lightweight. Uh, off the top of my head, I can't tell you. Super lightweight or lightweight? I won't mind cuz I know who was it for. I think it might be Blaine. Ben McIll. It could be. I don't know off top of my head. I'd have to check it. One second. Um if it could be on K's conflict super lightweight title. Yeah, he's the current champion. Yeah, I look, I won't even mind fighting him. I think I think Bl's a scrapper. You know, even he proved that in his last fight, he's he's game as [ __ ] And those are the lads I want to be fighting, you know, like I always say to you, not disrespect. I just like to fight the best lads possible. I think Blaine's one of the best. So, I don't see why not. I'm sure he'd like to test himself against me as well. So, look, even that as well, I don't mind. We'll wait and see how I am after the IMAFS. But uh if he's down to do it, like if it's him or anyone else, I don't mind. But I just look I just want the toughest challenges possible. You know me Dave, I just want to fight the best in the country. Yeah. No, 100%. I'm just going to check the date of the next cage conflict or do you know the date yourself? It is October. October. I don't mind. Yeah. Yeah. So October the 18th of October. So that was when that show be and then like said there's the cage legacy as well. There's if you if you were going to go out with you fight like with the IMAS I don't you won't kind of know how many people are in your bracket until you get there do you? So you don't know how many fights you're going to have. I'll see how I am after it right but if I'm okay and I'm fresh I'll do cage conflict. I I don't mind if they need me I'll jump in. You know me I'll just fight the best lads possible. And uh as for as for Cage Legacy like uh I'm just thinking any potential opponents for like maybe Pintle because I know we were supposed to fight on I and I know he said he wanted to fight me. So you know he's another lad who's dangerous and uh powerful and those are lads I want to be fighting. So maybe maybe the end of the year I'll fight him on Cage Legacy for a title. But look, we'll wait and see what happens. I can think of a few amateur lads, you know, and I just look, I just want to fight the best lads and I want to test myself against dangerous opponents like them. So, look, whoever it is, I don't mind, but I'll fight anybody at the end of the day and that's just the way I am. That's three cracking fights. That's three cracking fights. If you were to get them and an IMAF, that would leave you, I'd say, like we don't know how many number of ice you'll have at the IMAF because the the the brackets aren't done out, but you could have between anywhere between like two and five, I believe. Then if you had those three, that'd be another eight. You were currently sitting at 21, I'd say. So that bring you to about 29 30. Is there a number you're looking to get to with the amateur or are you gonna just kind of take it as it feels and then go pro whenever Peter, Sergey, Keen, and yourself feel ready? Look, uh, one fight at a time, I always say, and I'm not even going to put a number on it, you know. I know obviously the record is 30 now. I'd like to beat that record, but if I don't, it doesn't matter, you know. Like, I think I'm more than ready to go pro now. I just want more experience. I want to do another IMAS and uh I'd like another two belts maybe before going pro because I think I just stand in my like my resume. So I just I want more experience. I want to test the waters a little bit more. But I look to if I'm being honest with you, I think more than likely next year I'll be going pro. Maybe I'll fight on Cage Warriors. Maybe I'll have two or three in Ireland on IU Cage Legacy where whatever show is there. But no, I just want I just want a few more amateur fights. And I won't even put a number on how many fights. I just whenever I feel ready, which I do feel ready, but I just want a bit more experience. I'll know when like the time is right. You know, exactly what you're saying is basically it's not about numbers for you. It's about styles and it's about fighting the best. So when you feel that you've either you fought and beat or just fought every one of these people that are currently like up around your experience level, up around your skill level, it's better to fight them now and and that rather than look back and say I could have fought Bla, I could have fought Ditri or like to to do it before you go amateur. They're three and then Malik like that's three fantastic fights that will help you help you going on to pro. You see there's like you see a lot of amateurs trying to avoid these fights and I don't see why like like why would you avoid the hard fights in amateur because like if you meet lads like that a pro it's going to be a problem. You want to be fighting dangerous lads like them three like I just mentioned you know and I don't see why anyone wouldn't take those fights like my mindset is fight the best no matter how it goes it'll stand here in the long run. So in my opinion you should be getting tested. You shouldn't be fighting lads that are going to be easy. You should be fighting lads that are going to test you and make you better as a fighter and as a person. So, you know, that's just my mindset and my opinion on the whole thing. You know, you should be fighting the best lads out there. Yeah. No, 100%. I like that. I obviously if you're up around the same experience and skill level, that that is the thing to do. I know some people do like mad ones and they they like they fight debuts and stuff, but you want to fight people like that, the best ones in your division at the that weight and and you name those three guys. Yeah. and Malik. Manik only lost out on the IMAF to Alex Joe, wasn't it? Yeah, him and Alex had fight at the Europeans. Yeah. No, that was fant. Like I know it's hard to fight another person from the country. Uh you've done it before, but like what's it like kind of go like what's it like kind of going in and fighting someone from your country? Is it kind of like they're just another you're supporting them but up until your fight obviously I would presume and then it's made the best man win. Like you're asking me like what it's like to fight a fellow Irishman. Yeah. Like on a world day like on like the IMAS. Oh. Oh, I know. I fought Max. Remember? Yeah. That's Well, look, we me and Max didn't really train at the time. So, obviously it didn't really It just felt like I was fighting anyone else. I obviously I was like thinking to myself, "Yeah, you're going to beat this guy." Obviously, I didn't. But, you know, I'm sure Alex was the same. He was like, "Yeah, we're on team Ireland, but I'm here to win." you know, and that's just the mindset. Like that's just my opinion on it. You know, obviously if you're teammates, it's a bit different, but at the end of the day, like someone's in your way for that gold and uh if you're on team Ireland or a different team, like it's still like someone that's standing in your way, and that's just my opinion on it. And you're just you're there to win, you know, no matter who it is after the fight. Shake the hand, respect, but look, you're you're there to win. And uh you're like, everyone's there to win, but you get what I mean. Yeah, it's like yeah, it's the feelings are put aside for you to support him right up until that final, but then when it's basically you want to do the best for your career, he wants to do the best for his and unfortunately one he has to beat the other one. Like it was a good one. The Kiko and Jordan Bradshaw, it's actually the first time I've seen it. Both made it to the national finals and they they weren't. So they both got That's different though because the two of them are like actual teammates. Yeah. No, that's what No, but that's what I'm saying. I've never I was thinking I'd never seen it, but I actually have. And that's why I saying that like how hard would it be? I don't think you could potentially fight your teammate in a situation like that. I wasn't I wasn't comparing it to yours. I was just saying it was a weird situation. Yeah. No, I get what you mean. Like what I'm saying is if let's say you're not teammates, but you're on team Ireland trying different gyms. Yeah. You'll have no problem fighting each other. But if you're from the same gym, that's when it's kind of a problem, you know. Yeah. And it's mad. They made the for nations final as well off the back of that and they got to the final together again. Like for it to happen two times is me. Now the two of them are what's what's Brad now? One and0. Keith's two and0. Yeah. And then Bradshaw he Bradaw was in camp for about nine months. Three of his pro fights fell out at one another. It was well it wasn't that long actually cuz I think some of the shows were quite close but he had three pro camps and the week of the fight his opponent pulled out. So, I was delighted he got the one uh over in France and he actually did you see the fight he used wrestling. I didn't actually see it enough, but I heard now he was uh he was wrestling flow and you wouldn't really see Jordan wrestle too much. No, I've seen him wrestle some fights, but he's mainly a striker, but no, I've I've done rounds of Jordan before. Jordan's very good and he's another guy who's got a lot of experience amateur, which I think will stand to him in the long run as well. Yeah, like that. He always wanted to fight the hard fights. He always wanted to fight the wrestlers because he that was something he wanted to correct. So I thought it was quite funny that not funny but peculiar that he that's what decided he wanted to get better at defending that he actually used attacking. Well sometimes people say attack is the best form of defense sometimes. So if you go with the wrestling you you don't give them the opportunity. But yeah no it's uh it's going to be an eventful year again for you. I got to let you go. So, is there anything you want to say before you go and anyone shout at anyone you want to shout out? And thank you once again for your time. It's been a pleasure chatting. Look, it's great to see you back again, Dave. I had a feeling you'd come back. [ __ ] Brian Manning was on to you a good bit as well. Mad bastard. But oh, just obviously thanks to my team, SBJS, all the people around me, friends and family, and uh you know, I'm looking forward to what uh this year has has to offer. You know, I have a feeling it's going to be a great year. I think I'll win another few titles and I'm very confident to say I'll win the IMFs again. But look, you never know. I'll go in there. I'll do my best. And uh you know, like I say, may the best man win on the day. So, you know, I'm just I'm looking forward to what the rest of this year has to offer. And I'm looking forward to seeing it cuz do you remember it was last year you told me off camera and I don't have the same laptop anymore. Um or did we record it? I think we recorded it, didn't we, for I can't I can't remember. It was a lot. You were saying you were going to be the number one lightweight at the end of the year. You ranked Ireland and the UK and then you were I was number one in Europe at lightweight as well. I didn't put that there, but I have a screenshot of it somewhere. I'd be putting that up. I have a few of them now. I was number I'm number two in welterweight now and I'm number one at welterweight. So, you know, I obviously got viewed a lot more than what I asked for, but you know, I'll take it. Yeah. No, 100%. Is that something actually that's that's actually led me to a question I never even thought of? Cuz a lot of fighters straight after their fight like or maybe way maybe a week later, you always see them put up. Is that something that fighters check when you are up around the 20, 15, 10 mark? Is that something you would check regularly after fights as you keep going through? Is that something that Well, you can maybe only speak for yourself, but you see fighters put them up quite quickly as soon as they change. Are people watching or do you get notification actually because you have to sign up? Uh, look, I'll be honest. I like I was checking at the start, but not as much anymore cuz look, once you get something, I kind of realize this like even on one of the Europeans, once you kind of get it, you're like, "Ah, this is nice, but I'm over it." you know, and it's not something I personally share, but I just let the media and other things share that and I'll repost it. But me, I I'm the kind of I don't really like to brag too much about certain things. I'll obviously put up if I win something, but even if you look in like my Instagram bio, I have nothing there. I just I don't know. I don't like to brag too much about things. I just like to move on and uh train hard. Yeah. Cuz if you keep looking back at the past, you it's going to take your vision off the future and your vision Yeah. you you can enjoy everything that's just happened now once your whole career is over and reminisce on it through the whole rather than looking back at it now and not focusing on on the task at hand like you said earlier one fight at a time because you can't overlook anyone but anyways it's been a fantastic chat thank you very much and I will talk to you is there anyone else you want to shout out before you go actually uh there's a few there's a few people there's too many to mention but they all know who they are and uh yeah no I have a lot of great people around me. I'm looking forward to what's next, Dave. Hopefully, maybe it's a trilogy or another fight. I don't know. I'll fight, whoever's offered to me. But like I said, I can't wait to see what the rest of this year has to offer me. Me, too. And especially with the names that haven't mentioned this, I can't wait to see on the release of this to any of those fights get made. So, thank you very much and enjoy the rest of your day. I appreciate your time, Jordan. Thank you, Dave. It's good to have you back. Cheers. Thank you.