Joe Doyle interview

Summary

Joe Doyle is a professional MMA fighter making his second appearance at Cage warriors this weekend, he recently moved to CMAC mma and we discuss moving into a new environment and training with a former opponent. We go through his entry into combat sports up until now, what it's…

Transcript (youtube_captions)

Perfect. >> Okay, so I've got another competitor that's coming up next weekend. We've got Mr. Joe Doyle who's going to be competing at Cage Warriors. Um, he's competed before. He's had a good few amateur fights as well. So, we're kind of going to get in behind the story, what led him into MMA, what it means fighting in Dublin and the usual sort of stuff. So, thank you very much for your time. For context for people watching, this is recorded on the Sunday, the week before. So, when this gets released, it might not line up with what we say, but thank you very much for joining me. How are you today? >> Yeah, not bad. Thanks for having me on, man. >> No, it's good. It's good. And and obviously you're coming into fight week. You've you've done all your hard training and it's more tapering down and weight. What does a fight week look like for you? Like just kind of walk someone through a a basic fight week from the Monday to the Saturday. >> Yeah. So today the water load started. So um I think it's eight liters I have to drink today. Um eight tomorrow. Then it kind of drops off then throughout the week. Um but yeah, and then training wise it's nothing nothing too strenuous like all the hard work is done. Um so it's just kind of keep it sharp and and making sure you just go in without any injuries I think is the main thing. Yeah. >> Yeah. And it's hard like that in camps there's always niggles and there's always bits and pieces. I don't think >> of course. Yeah. >> Anyone goes in 100% all the time. I think you can get close to it but I think yeah someone always has something. But you've talked about the the warload and then the weight cut. Do do you coach much weight to to get to your weight class or is there >> Yeah, I'd be I think I'm a big enough featherweight. Um I can't remember what I started this one at, but I think this week I've got 6 kilo or 7 kilo to go. So yeah, it's it's hard enough once you get through the bit of hunger as well. I think that that's the hardest bit being constantly hungry. H and then when you're with your friends or you're with whoever and they're eating nice food and you can't bleed and have any of it. But it's only this week and then then it's game on then. >> What will be your postight meal? What's the first meal you'll go for? What's the the one that you go for? Or does it vary every time? >> Yes, it varies every time, but this time I don't know. I've been craving a big burger or something. Uh so probably a burger. Yeah. >> Yeah. And do you find as well a lot of fighters say their algorithm on the likes of Instagram, YouTube, is it just popping up nice food for you on fight weekly? >> Honestly, I like to be going through fight week when you're getting low on calories. Like I think watching the videos of food or watching people eat food helps for some reason. H So I'd be just sitting there scrolling looking at bleeding cheesecakes or looking at mad stuff and it's like tormenting yourself. But I don't know, it helps. It helps a good bit. It's like you're kind of living through through the video or through that person that you're like >> Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. If they're eating it. Jesus, that looks lovely. Yeah. >> Yeah. No, I've seen way cuts happen. I've seen a water loading and and then the sauners and stuff and a lot of people don't understand. It's it's a big sacrifice and it's a lot to go through. But take >> Sorry, go ahead. >> Yeah. I think people only see the the fight at the end of it. You know what I mean? If you haven't seen the 8 to 12 weeks of hard hard graft and then to put your body then through even more stuff towards the end like it's Yeah. No one sees that side of it. It's the hardest part. >> Yeah. It is tough and especially when you're I'd say you're constantly in my own way and the weight kind of fluctuates as well. It doesn't always go accord but but talk to us. You you're fighting in cage in cage in Dublin on cage warriors. massive stage. But talk to us about how you got to this stage. Where did you start? Like what what led you down the route of MMA? >> Um well, I started kickboxing originally when I was I think I was nine or 10. Um there's just a gym open beside the house. So I just went in and started there and then that was it then. Like that's nearly 20 years ago. 20 years ago. So then it was just progression then through that. Like the the gym I was in the main owner was he fought MMA for years as well. So it was kind of always there. Then I competed in the amateur MMA leagues maybe 13, 14, maybe longer years ago when there was no head shot. It was still MMA goals, but there was no head shot standing or on the ground. It was just on a like a matted surf uh surface as well. So it was there was no cage or anything like that. So yeah, that's how I started and then just kind of progressed through and then I went to pro kickboxing and then I made the amateur MMA debut, proper one. I think it was 2020 or 21 or something, but somewhere around that. I can't remember the actual date, but Yeah. And then it's been three three or four fights a year since then. >> Yeah. That that's fantastic. Like and and what was it like when you went and obviously you'd fought on the MMA leagues and it's mad when you're talking about what it was like then to how it's evolved now? Like they're even now >> like they're events. But what made you think you wanted to or what do you remember what it was that made you want to compete in MMA or was it as soon as you started training you always wanted to compete in a combat sport? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Like it was always competition. It was like since a kid. So I think I joined and then it was like had these competitions in kickboxing. The best of the best they were called. So you'd show up on the day I think they done your weight or done your height and then it went by belt color. So then you'd show up and you could have like 10 fights on the day, do you know what I mean? Like be one two minute round or something and then it's just progression progression whoever wins it then. So yeah, from a kid it was always the competition side of it that I loved. >> So So going into the amateur MMA from the novice and all that didn't really phase you. What was your your amateur debut like or can you remember it even? >> Yeah. Know I can remember like it was nothing really changed like because I've been competing at a high level since since I'm a kid, you know what I Like I was in the world championships in kickboxing when I was 18. So it's always been like a high enough level to be competing at. Uh so no nothing really changed. >> Yeah. No. And I seen you're on uh the machine MMA. So that's Ian the Machines over >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It was all on his shows. Yeah. In Newcastle. Yeah. >> And I believe he's is he like the first English person ever to be he's he's got some sort of record of >> I think he was the first English English fighter in the UFC. Then he had beat Frank May. So look, he's he's got some high wins and then he's just signed a deal with Cage Warriors at the minute. Don't know if you saw that. It's the road to Cage Warriors, it's called. So if you he has two belts. He's got a silver belt and a gold belt. So I think if you win the gold belt, you get the pro contract them with Cage Warriors. >> Wow. >> So it's a huge partnership for any local like fighters that want to to make that their route, you know. >> That that's actually excellent because there's so many different routes now. There's not just Cage Wires. his other ones, but Cage Wars is obviously the steps. >> Yeah, I think I think it's the pinnacle to get to. Yeah, I think so. I think so. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, like you've been on those shows and how did it go from being on those shows to to going to Cage Warriors uh for the pro fight. What was it like when you you got the call and you knew you'd be fighting it? I would say that's an immense happy feeling that that's >> Yeah. Know it was. Yeah. Yeah. Big time. Um, yeah, it's hard enough to put into words how you felt, you know, cuz obviously you get you get accepted and then they give you a fight and then you get that automatic nerves, do you know what I mean? So that's it's hard to obviously it's a great accomplishment, but then it's hard to see it that way when you you have to do all the training. You have to go out and fight then at the end of it. So it's great getting there, but it's only the start then. >> Yeah. And then uh like when you start when you you're going for the pro, what way did your training transition to like using the elbows and that and how easy what what positives or difficulties did you find in going to I would say it's more positives. There was no difficulties but what way did it transition when you knew you were going pro? Like did it get more intense? You would explain it better. >> No, not really. Like I think everyone that's competing at even amateur level like they're training like pros, you know, like it's the only thing that's going to change is you get the the five minute rounds and you've got elbows and knees, but other than that, I don't I think everyone's training at a a professional level like and I think you should be uh like from the get- go because then when the transition does happen that you go pro and then the step up again is with training. So you might be able for it. So I think training like a pro from the get- go I think will benefit everyone. So I think yeah I think most people are doing it that way. >> Yeah I think so. Like I see amateurs they train in the morning go to work come home training. >> It's a lot of sacrifice like talk to talk to us about the sacrifices that people might not understand. You go to this family events stuff like that. What do you sacrifice as a fighter to be a fighter? >> Yeah you sacrifice everything. You sacrifice relationships. you sacrifice like your just normal dayto-day life. Um as you said, you do miss parties, you do miss things, but and then ultimately at the end of it like there's not that much of a reward. Like people think you make it to Kors, you make to the UFC and you're making bad money like the sacrifice to get only get the small paycheck or whatever. It's not the biggest thing in the world. You really have to like love what you do, I think, to to make it worthwhile. Like like if you're waiting for a mad payday at the end of it, you're Yeah. You've done something wrong. >> Yeah. Yeah. Cuz because a lot of people look at Connor, he's obviously a big inspiration. He's a he's a unicorn though. Like he's >> Yeah, absolutely. I think Yeah. And I think people realize it. So I think it's good to go into it with the mindset of like it might take a while to even make some sort of good money. Do you know like So then it's hard for fighters then that have to go training in the morning, have to go to work, have to go to training afterwards. Like it's a lot. It is a lot. Obviously, sponsorships with people help. Um, but like there's no way you could live off the wage. Do you know what I mean? >> Yeah. No, you'd actually be in minus, I would think, a lot of the times. Um, >> 100%. Throughout fight camp, you'd be in the minus. Yeah, for sure. >> Yeah. Cuz cuz people think there's big huge paychecks. There's not like I can't remember who said in the interview. They said like I'd make more money if I was a qualified plumber. Do you know the sort of way you >> Oh, you make more money. Yeah. Working in bleeding center. Yeah, for sure. But but then there is the other side of it then the opportunities that come from fighting on these shows with sponsorships with deals with whatever you do. So you can make money elsewhere you know not just solely fighting on relying on the fight. >> Yeah cuz cuz you see that there's a lot of sponsors on board nowadays. A lot of local businesses are getting behind people and I think it's really good that a lot of people are kind of MMA in Ireland is still not kind of accepted as a sport in the eyes of the government. It's still kind of marginalized. >> Yeah. >> Um >> Yeah. >> But you can see it opening up a little bit more. Still, as much as we love it, it still is very niche in my opinion. >> Yeah. No, it is. Yeah. Like I you're trying to explain to someone the process of fighting with that don't fight. It's they're just completely [ __ ] confused. Do you know what I mean? Like of making weight or putting your body through mad stuff and it's like what is the end goal here? Do you know? So it is hard to explain it to the ordinary person that's not involved. >> Yeah. And what's your mindset? Like you have to have the mindset that going in you're not going to make money. Why why do you why do you want to be a fighter? What makes you tick to be a fighter at this stage? It's just it's your identity. Do you know like it's been that long I've been teaching that long. I've been like training that long. It's just your identity. It's Yeah. If I didn't do it, I don't know what what I'd be doing. Like it say it's Yeah. It saved me in so many times of not going down certain roads or not doing stupid stuff like showing up to training and and just doing the right things I think makes you a better person. I think you're a better person when you're in training camp. You're not doing the bad stuff. You're not doing like you're eating well. You're hydrating well. You're doing everything that's a good thing for yourself. And I think that is is the main thing. Yeah. I think it just makes you a better person throughout your life. It makes you go through hardship. It builds a lot of character. Yeah, like that. I've heard of a lot of of younger fighters saying like it saved them from going down certain roads which are is so easy nowadays to go down and you see it and >> yeah, >> it's slippery slope. It starts at one thing and then it is gone and they said combat sports has stopped them. Do you find that >> it helps you in your personal life as well with structure kind of >> Yeah. No, definitely. Yeah. >> Accountability and stuff. >> Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. Cuz if you don't show up to training and one of the lads is going to be messaging you going where where were you tonight? Do you know what I mean? Like where were you this morning? So yeah, having a good team around you as well to make all of it a lot easier is is a big thing as well. Like I'm I'm happy to be surrounded by some good people that make this all easier. >> Yeah. No, 100%. And and you're obviously we were speak before you're in you're in CMAC uh >> now. Yeah. Yeah. >> And how are you finding that? Obviously you'd fought Ke you you'd lost to Ke and then you're now training with Ke and a lot like you said people outside fighting would be like you fought him and now you're training with him with him. >> It's so bizarre but talk to us about your your thinking on going CC. For me it's not the biggest base. It's not the most high tech but I just think the talent that is coming out of that gym is >> Yeah. No, absolutely. Yeah. The talent on the match every night is it's like next level. It's honestly it's mad. I was completely shocked when I went up. Um, and I think the the move to go up, I think it's you can't let your ego get in the way of your progression. Like I know I fought keep me beat me, but you do have to drop your ego and say, "Look, I've made these mistakes. You go and train with the person that beat you. You're only going to get better from it." So, I think that was my mindset going into it. And I think it was the best decision I've done. Like, everyone's been welcoming. They've made it easy enough to be there. >> Yeah. Yeah, and like I said, it's fantastic gym and for people that would be interested in joining MMA gym. Like I think they're the most welcoming and friendly people. Like I've been in different circles where soccer, GA, whatever. I think MMA or camera sports in general are were more welcome than any other. How did you find that when you entered the likes of combat sports and then going to different gyms as well? >> Yeah. No, definitely. Yeah, especially up there like they didn't have to let me join, you know what I mean? It's like they didn't have to. So, I'm grateful that he did though. Uh, so yeah, it was it was a good good decision. >> Yeah. So, so the fight is obviously in six days. Uh, we've talked about your fight week. When it comes to prepping for a fight, obviously pros a little bit more. You look in a little bit more, but do you let the likes of the coaches do more of that or do you like to look into the fight yourself? What way does that work? Because some people are obsessive, some people don't want to think about it. What way do you prepare or or game plan? >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, you just have to you have to do a bit of both. I think you have to look at it from yourself, your own point of view of what you see, what you don't see, and then like letting the coaches and stuff decide for you as well. Cuz sometimes you can get in your own way with certain things like again your ego, do you know? So it's it's for someone else to have an outlook and say this is what you need to do and not do what you want to do. Do you know? So I think like Alex he is very very intelligent that fell like really really intelligent breaks down stuff very very well. So having his input was a big help and not and deciding what the what the game plan was going to be. And then throughout fight week, I don't think you get to really think about the fight that much because you're so focused on making the weight that it's only after the way and then you're like, "Oh, [ __ ] I have to fight tomorrow, you know? It's like it's the the full week. It does take your mind off when you're cutting weights. You have to focus on so many other things before you even get to fight." So I think that's the the biggest thing of the fight week. >> Yeah. you know, and getting there cuz like that you said a lot of people see the 15 minutes or whether it's if it's pro it's 15 9 if it's amateur cuz I speak to both but people don't see you said it could be 9 to 12 weeks but like people don't realize it it's not even 9 to 12 weeks it even extends this is your lifetime like you said you started at nine um >> yeah yeah no exactly it's been 20 years and just non-stop graft yeah it's mad >> it is mad and then to see on the stage obviously a cage wars is fantastic um it's going to be a really really good show. How does it feel to be like fighting in Dublin? Because obviously as your career goes on, you might be traveling to different places and and these moments might not be coming around so often. Um talk to us what it's like fighting in Dublin on a show like Cage Wise. Like it's an unbelievable show. >> Yeah. Know it is. I think there's there's pros and cons to it. I think it's great to be like it's a 10-minute drive from my house, so it's it's not that far to go, you know, but but then you have that the extra pressure of everyone being there for you. It's so when you travel away like not many people can go or whatever, you mean certain things will get in the way. So, and then you get I think traveling is is a nice thing to do with fighting. Do you know like you do get to see other places in the world um which makes things a little bit easier as well. Plus, you get nearly like a little holiday out of it as well. So, next year if there's if there's a trip away, it would be great. >> Yeah, it would be good. I've talked to fighters and like that. They said there's pros and cons as well. They said when they go away, there's less distractions, less trying to sell the tickets. >> Yeah. No, definitely. Yeah. Because you're everyone's messaging, what time you on at? What? Just stupid questions, you know, uh that you don't need. So, when you do travel away, it's it kind of takes that bit of pressure off. Yeah. >> Yeah. It's like just buy fight pass and just watch cage wires from start to finish and I'll be in there. >> Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. Just Yeah. Exactly. >> Cuz it's only like >> But you don't want to be bad to people either. Do you know? You don't want to be bad. >> You do have to kind of entertain it a little bit. Uh >> because they don't understand what you're going through. So you can't be too harsh on people. >> Yeah. No, exactly. And like that they mean well. They want to see you. They want to support you. And it's just I know when when you're busy with stuff for people, you're just like a Right. But it it is going to be a really good show. Um I got to let you go on. Thank you so much for your time. It's been a pleasure. This will be the first of many that I hopefully have with you if you would be interested in coming on. >> Um >> Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, of course. >> Yeah. Um is there anything you want to say before you go or anyone you want to shout out and it's been an absolute pleasure uh talking to you for the first time? And like I said, we will have plenty more. >> Yeah. No, just the the few sponsors that I got. Um Bobby's Coffee. Jeez, I'm going to forget loads of this. Bobby's Coffee, TPC Ireland, LT Peak, Clubber, um, Tommo Higgins Estate Agents. I think that's it. Sorry if I forgot anyone. >> I'm actually going to start telling the fighters before we do the interview to write the sponsors down because that always >> Yeah, I should have wrote them down. And I was thinking after I done I done an interview last week and it was the same thing. I was like, "Oh, [ __ ] I should have written them down." Do you know what I mean? And then I still didn't do it. But yeah, anyways, >> sure. Such is life. Um, best of skill in the in the weekend coming. I'm looking forward to see obviously your progression through CMAC. Uh, it's a fantastic gym. Like I said, Alex Sullivan, he graduated from Trinity College. Like he's extremely intelligent and he's such a good >> fell fell's a genius. >> And Debs as well in there as well. >> Debs is fantastic as well. >> Um, and it is a great gym, a great environment to be in. >> Yeah. No, 100% like that. You've got Keith, you've got Jordan Bradshaw, you've got Jake, Nick, I got Ross. I we we go on forever. Trevor who's going to be competing on the card who's a character as well. I love >> looking forward to see big big Trev have a fight. Yeah. Big animal. >> He is. And he's changed his physique. Like he used to be a bit heavier. Now he's he's ripped. He's And I was like, man, this guy is going to start starching people. And >> yeah. No, he's in serious shape. Like he's even when he's moving around with the lighter lads, it's you wouldn't think he's like heavyweight. You know what I mean? It's it's insane. >> Yeah. You know, I'm I'm looking forward to it. I got to let you go. Thank you so much. Best of skill next weekend and I will talk to you again soon. >> Yeah. Sound. Thanks, man.