Tadhg Gannon interview

Summary

Tadhg Gannon is a professional Muay Thai fighter, at 17 years of age setting the Muay Thai scene a light with some sensational performances he trains in Dublin Combat Academy under Collie Mahon. We speak about his year, the plans for next year. What Collie means to him as a…

Transcript (youtube_captions)

Okay. So, I have the absolute pleasure of joining me today, Mr. Ty Ganon. Ty is someone that I'd heard about, I want to say two or three years ago. Um, I remember Collie Martin put up and it was like the I can't remember. You won some award in the gym. Anyways, and I remember I keep an eye on that lad. It was it was it was two years ago maybe. There was yourself and a a younger girl as well, kind of maybe the same age as you won. It was like a gym award or something. Uh, and that's where I noticed you and then now all I'm seeing you is on my feet is just beating the [ __ ] out of everyone. So, how are you? Thank you very much for joining me. Hope you had a good Christmas. How are you? Thanks for your time. >> I'm all good. [ __ ] Christmas is normal. Had this week, so I got to enjoy a little bit. >> It was good to have your fight before Christmas because I'd say trying to cut weight throughout Christmas would have been hard. Was it nice to get it before Christmas and then have that little break to spend with your family and eat kind of what you want without worrying? >> Yeah, it was a lot better like that. I didn't have the stress of making weight around like that. Obviously, now I do have a fight now in two months, but I still got to enjoy me Christmas. >> Yeah, two two months is is is a good amount of time to get the weight down. But let's talk about your year. Like I said, I've just seen you everywhere. I've seen some of your clips you put together. the Shawn Michaels one I I really really liked cuz that's the kind of era of uh WWE I would have watched. Um but it's not just that it's super impressive what you're doing. You're like for people who might not know you who are you where you from and and cuz you're 17 years of age you're doing your leaving while doing all this. Tell the people who you are and what you do. Uh first of all, my name is Ty. I train out combat academy. Uh I'm a professional. I have 12 fights now. And I've been doing this basically my whole life. I've known boxing MMA and all but about eight years ago I went down to lads now DCA college and all. Russians there just fell in love with them having stopped suits >> and you can tell you love it like you've had such year talk to us about this year I seen you've been on Hitman's is a Hitman's Fight League is it over in the UK you've been on that a couple of times you've had some really good performances correct me if I'm wrong but do you have to go to the UK to get fights because you're struggling to get matched in this country >> yeah like throughout my entire professional career I think I've only fought in Ireland like three times which is and the army forced to fight in Gustavo Beck earlier this year but like that we've it's not that we haven't tried to get fights here we have it's just no one would have taken it so if we're not getting fights here I have to go elsewhere to get fights out in the UK and like that I'm I feel like I'm more well known on the UK scene than I am the Irish saying in terms of actually fighting it >> yeah I think that's me because like you said I seen when you you fought Cavo Beck because that was on the card with Dano and Tom wasn't it at at the top of it >> and I like that I've seen a lot your highlights and they're all from UK, Scotland and Nor. They're not here. Is it frustrating that you can't like you said your first two fights were here then obviously you had the Gustaf one. Is it frustrating that you can't have more here? Cuz like for your family and friends to travel and all is is a big ass sometimes. Would you say you just love another one just back in Dublin? Would you? Is it frustrating to have to go away so much? >> H it is and it isn't. Like as seven man like I've traveled all over the world. Like I've been to Thailand, I've been to Cypress, I've been to the UK like already multiple times this year. So I'm well traveled and that's one benefit of doing it. Then again you have people like me they have to travel as well and they have to spend the money. So obviously it's obviously it's not ideal but it just what has to be done. >> Yeah. And like that that's one one of the it's also a benefit that you get to do that traveling and you get to go and and see these things and see these places. But I'd say like that you you're so young like said you're only 17. you're doing your leavenven, sir. And like you said, you're professional. To be that age as a professional, is that unusual in my Thai or is that kind of the thing? >> Uh well, yeah, basically is like when I first turned pro, I was 15, I think. So that's like that'd be considered fairly young. And when Collie did throw me in pro for the first time, he did get a lot of like, how do I say it? Like, oh, you shouldn't be doing that. He's too young for it. But at the time, I I won the fight and I won it very convincingly. And I've kept on doing that. Like even when I was 16 and I was doing all this, people are still saying, "Oh, he's too young to fight a class." But I'm then putting out on performances that like show that he's not just an age like he's a really good fighter. So he should be at this level. Yeah. Cuz cuz I I remember like I said I wouldn't be too in tune with the the Muay Thai scene, but it's something that I'm looking to get on to next year. I remember seeing uh comments or I don't know whether it was you said it yourself that when you were fighting Gustavo Beck uh on the show, a lot of people like, "Oh, is is he at this level? Is Ty is Ty there?" and Collie turned around and said like he's fighting better people and no disrespect to Sel, but he's fighting uh like higher level people in in different countries. You just haven't seen it in this country. Um and you obviously Kie Mattton knows what he's doing. Collie Matt, I love Collie Matt. There's so many people that cross train there and you can see when Collie Matt said you were ready. Obviously he knows you're ready. How did you feel when he said he was going to turn you pro? Was it exciting? Was it nervous? was a little bit about what was that kind of feeling like Collie saying that to you and then you trying to process that at such a young age? Uh I think it was more so Kie said it to me so I did the labor and so I didn't fully process it at the moment but looking back on it think ain't going it's a bit madly like obviously Polly said it to me at the time like oh yeah you're ready for this so I fully believed in him and like that he could say to me and we believe it fully. So that's just the way I think it. >> Yeah. Cuz like that at the end of the day, your coaches are going to know and colleague like the fighters that come out there because we're going to talk about Craig shortly as well though. But yeah know it's a fantastic gym and I really like what he's doing there. And then we just mentioned Craig. What's it like? Obviously Craig went to one championship. It didn't go his way for me. I I love Craig Ki. I love the story. I love that little documentary. I have great relationship with his brother. I was actually on a call to him yesterday. Um, what's it like having someone like Craig and seeing obviously it didn't go his way in one championship, but they're the levels you can reach. When you see him doing that, what how does that make you feel as a young fighter coming through the gym, he's gone through with the same coach and he got there. How does that make you feel looking forward at your future? >> Um, like that Craig the very first day I was in the gym, Craig was there. Uh I actually started off on PTS with Craig and then he then put me on the collie but I've always looked up to Craig. He's always been me inspiration in terms of fighting and even during life as well. Um like that he's gone to such levels and he's done everything before me. So there's already a path there made by him by H sorry by him Collie and Steph. So I just now have to follow that path. But we don't have to make any of the hard choices or not even the hard choices but we don't have to deal with all the favors that he done coming up in his career now thereafter making all the connections so that now we can just follow the path that they made. >> Yeah. Cuz because making that original part like I said you're going to have to fight different places certain things. You're probably going to have to fight certain people please a couple of promoters and fight on certain shows to get there. But once you kind of get there, make the connections, like you said, the the route is there. Steph is another one, I think, who was in a similar situation as you. Steph could not get a fight here as well, and he was the first Irishbased fighter to win a one championship. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that may be true. Um, when you see yourself get like getting hard to match, do you ever look at him and go, "Well, it happened to him and and he's still got where he's he's going." Um, do you think because you're not getting matched, you're then having to go to these different countries and you're getting more of a European or a global recognition by fighting outside Ireland. You think that might be one of the benefits and not getting mass is is being well known in other countries as opposed to just Ireland? >> Yeah, 100%. Like obviously Steph early on his career, he's fighting a lot in Ireland, but then he moved to Thailand. He got a name over in Thailand. So when he came back, he didn't really have a name here. So he found it very hard to get fights, but like that just the way it is. Like that's how his career ended up. And he still done very well in it during he still got fights over here when he did come back and like that he made a statement. He broke your man's leg over in Scotland that I'm looking at Steph and Craig. I know that if I just keep taking the fights that Colleen keeps giving to me, I'm eventually going to go places like that. We have a big plan next year. So, all you have to do is follow the plan. >> Yeah. No, it's good. And then we'll just touch on Kie Martin for a second. Like I said, I know Collie and I well I don't I know Collie. I've talked to him a few times. I wouldn't know him hugely well, but I really really like what he does, the vibe he gives off in the gym. There's no there's no [ __ ] with him. he's going to tell you if you're not performing or if if you're not doing what you're supposed to be doing and you and the see I think that's what a lot of people lack is Collie will tell you straight out and you need that you need sometimes a bluntness but what does Collie mean to you as a fighter and as a person because I would presume he takes on like a mentor kind of role for everyone in the gym as well >> like that the gym does not function without Kie's there 24/7 and he puts in the work with us every single leg day. So, we have to make sure we're giving it back to him and anything he asks of us, we have to just do it straight away cuz that's the expectations he put on us and that's what he deserves and like that I look up to him as as a person. Like the reason why I fight is to make him play. So that all the work that he does put in for me, he can feel that. Yeah. I'm putting me time and effort into the right thing. >> Yeah. And you can see like the the way your trajectory's been going fantastic. Talk to us about the year. How many fights have you had this year alone? Because it seems like every time I text you or something, we say, "Oh, look, we'll set up an interview." And it's been on my end more so that we've we've not been able to. And then all of a sudden I was like, "This kid is fighting again." How many fights have you had this year and what are your highlights from this year from your perspective? >> Um, so I've had I've had eight fights this year, seven of them being a class and one of them being prompts of the year in my opinion were me last fight for a international title and me fight on three days against Lame Cunningham. That was a deadly experience cuz it was the first time I ever fought in the same card as Craig at at the start of the year. I never thought that was going to happen. It's already after having happened twice this year. Like it's mad. And just taking the fight on three days notice and putting on a performance like that, it was a really good feeling. Like >> I can imagine because there's a lot to be said for obviously when you have weeks and weeks in advance to prepare to be able to come in at the last minute. It just shows number one you're a fighter. Number two, you're in shape all the time that you can you can come in. Well, I won't ask you about the wake up. Maybe it was bad wake up. I don't know. But if um no wake up. So you came in, you were fairly close to the close to the weight. So you stay ready. But like you said, one of the things I kind of picked up on there was start obviously Craig with one and everything. You never thought you you'd share a car with him. What was it like? Was it surreal then when you actually did get to share the car with him? uh when you kind of knew was coming up and and how did that make you feel going from not thinking it was going to happen to it happening with someone that you look up to and inspires you? >> Um like you said at the start of it I didn't think it was going to happen cuz Craig was going down more so of a boxing route after getting released from one. So I didn't think me and him were going to have the chance to fight the same card again. at least my fight but like Craig got that fight on as well two weeks and uh three days out from the fight cuz he said oh there's a pull out he won the fight like there wasn't any thought behind it just yes straight away then I thought about it afterwards I was like oh this going to be dead I'm fighting on the same card as Craig it's a really really big show and I'm gonna get to show who I am in front of all these people. >> Yeah. No, no, that's class way. It kind of came around short notice, not thinking you're going to share a card with him, then sharing the card with him cuz I remember actually when that boxing event came up cuz it actually got cancelled, I believe, didn't it? That boxing event he was supposed to be on. Um, and like that I think Craig Kley could go through MMA because I I would have talked to Shamrock. He said you can't keep [ __ ] Craig Kley down when you take him down. I think Craig Kley's got attributes to go and do whatever kind of sport he he he would want to do. But I I think just watching him fight my Thai is just just such a pleasure. Same as yourself. Same as Dano is another one. Um but you've had like that eight fights this year. You've plans next year. Obviously, if there's plans you can't talk about, I don't want to talk about. But what does Ty Gon What's your goals and aspirations for for next year? >> Um, so obviously we have we already have a fight with Finley Smith on him on Fight Lake. That's going to be that's on the same card as three of the other teammates, Andrew, Gio, Craig obviously, and then another one, the Little Johnny Fitz. So that's the fourth fight we have planned. After that we might be having two more fights before June and then unfortunately in June I have to be leaving there so we can fight then after that h we plan to go out to Thailand and fight out there hopefully and then we'll just go from there. We sort of have like the first seven monthsish planned out. >> Yeah. No, that's good. Well, you have to do your leave. You're after making it this far to the end. You might as well do the leaving search. You know, there's no point in it's like eating your cake without the cherry on top. You might as well just get that done. It'll whether it stands [ __ ] in in in the future. It's like a lot of people put a lot of pressure on on academics and stuff. And I'm not saying that's not important, but a lot of people hang their hat on. It's the be all and end all. It's not most of the most successful people I know kind of have it there as a background, but they never kind of use it going forward into whatever business they were in. and and you're in the fighting business and you're doing pretty [ __ ] good at it. So, um yeah, look, it looks like it's going to be another good year for you. I'm going to take great interest and follow your career and a couple of other people within the my Thai scene as well. But, um talk to us like if there was someone that asks about Muay Thai or they wanted to go or any combat sports in general. H what what's the positive effects you've got on your life from training and fighting? And for people who are watching this, you don't necessarily have to fight if you want to train a sport either because it's a very good thing for mental health and clearing the head, but there's other positive effects it can have. And was there any positive effects that you found? What what what you found that this sport has done for you? Um, ever since I started my I feel like there's been some benefits to it. Honestly, even if you don't want to fight, like you have the physical benefit, you have the mental benefit. Just showing up to the gym doesn't have to be every single day, but at least three, four times a week. It gives you a good state of mind because you know you're doing something and you're now in a community. You're not just sitting at your home uh playing games or something. So, you're out and about, you're talking to people, you're interacting with people. And even me personally, I feel like it's my personality has grown a lot ever since I did join the new I able to talk like this the way I am now. You asked me to do this even a year or two ago, I would not have been able to do this. Like so it just it broadens your look on life and you'll be able to experience a lot of new things. >> Yeah, it it's mad cuz a lot of people will say to me, "Oh, I don't know. I'm really nervous about doing an interview with you." And I'm like, "Lads, you are literally fighting in a pair of [ __ ] shorts." Yeah, in a cage in the middle of like a couple of hundred people. But you you like I get it though. Public talking is is a thing. It's a confidence thing as well. I would have went to college and I worked with little and they sent me to college. So I had to do loads of presentations. So I'd stand up in front of executives and stuff. But even now I kind of get nervous. So I I I I like there [ __ ] stuttering. Yeah. >> And stuff like that. And Yeah. But like like you said, the community I feel. How do you feel about the the Mai community? Because I would say it's similar to like the MMA or the combat sports. I think it's one of the most welcoming, accepting communities I've ever been a part of and I've been a part of different starters whether it be soccer, GA. I just find that the one that kind of cares the most and actually gives the most back to his people is is the combat sports one. How do you feel about the community and and how united it is? >> Uh I think the Irish community is really really well. Everyone knows everyone in it. So everyone sort of gets along and even not even the Irish community. I feel like I have a really good connection with the UK as well. Like from going over there every I go over there most weekends like so like that's another benefit of me fighting. I get to go over to the UK um nearly I'd say at least twice a month and like that I know a lot of people over there and have a good relationship with them because I'm seeing these people every week and them every week and then like that. Yeah. talk to them on Instagram or something like that. So the I feel like just the my community in general very welcoming. Everyone knows everyone sort of. >> Yeah. And it's it's good like that. Like I said, you walk into a show in the UK and most people know you. It's it's kind of it's nice to walk into a place and not feel awkward and and be able to go in and like that people coming up and having the chats with you. And like I said, Mai training can do that for you, for your confidence. And there's so many other benefits. But look, I got to let you go. It's been a fantastic year for you. It's going to be a fantastic year going forward. Hopefully, you'll be fighting in Ireland so I can come and see one of your fights in person. But I want to thank you for your time. Is there anything you want to say before you go or anyone you want to shout out? >> Uh, shout out to all the guys in the gym and Craig as well for obviously starting off with me and doing Muay Thai every day with me, especially college. And then my uncle Dave as well. He's the one who got me into my toy at first. I actually used to do MNA down in Rhino and then I was brought down to the ECA to ever since. >> Yeah. Well, obviously with the with the tractory of your career so far, obviously not that you you've made the right choice, but like that there there is crossover. But I feel if for me, what I love about Mai and my Thai fighters is um everyone knows there's not a huge amount of money in it and you do it for the love of the sport. There isn't a huge amount of money in MMA, but I think a lot of people are getting these cuz they've seen Connor and Jon Jones and this. They think there's more money in MMA than there actually is. And when they go to start fighting, they're like, "What? £500 for a professional fight. No. Um >> I think Muay Thai you can see because there isn't a huge amount of money in in the sport that is done out of just pure love. And that's what I love about it. You don't get a lot of Instagram fighters. You get people who just want to scrap. Um and I'm looking forward to seeing your next year, Craig's hopefully get to see Dano back soon and hopefully I'll be able to get a trip up to the gym and maybe see us all. But look, thank you very much. Congratulations on this year. Best luck going forward with next year. Best luck with your your leaving as well. And uh we'll catch up maybe just before your your next fight if you're interested. >> Yeah, 100%. Thanks for having me. It was a pleasure. >> Absolute pleasure, Pat. Have enjoy the rest of your day. All right.