Adrian Barrow

Summary

Adrian Barrow competes for the interim bantamweight this tomorrow at IUR FC We speak about his preparation for this camp, bringing in a nutritionist, what he's carried forward from Barry Carlin We talk about the evolution of MMA, the level of talent coming out of Ireland and…

Transcript (youtube_captions)

Okay, so we have an interim title fight coming up this weekend at Yur and I've got one half of the title fight. We've got Adrian Barrow. I've watched the fight. It's such an exciting fighter. A lot of people when they go to MMA, they want to see the the the stand up. I want to see this guy go to the ground and he's actually got a good match up and Shane the the opponent fell out. Shane from Tullemore, very good Shane wrestling. This could be a fight that I will want to see on the ground and see how it pans out. But it's fight week. How are you? Thank you very much for taking this especially so close to the fight. I really appreciate your time. How are you feeling? >> Ah, good. Um, just watering and and like that and just train away just moving about keeping the body feeling good, keeping the mind feeling good, too. >> And how how's the weight cut go? Because the weight cuts are are pretty pretty tough, the water load. I've seen it done before. Um, do you cut much weight? I know I asked you before, but I obviously can't remember. Do you do you cut much to get down? No, I'm not too bad with with weight cuts and stuff like that. Um, I think I got just saying earlier I got Nathan McGillian on too to to help out just with overall nutrition too and just makes life a lot easier and makes training a lot easier and just so far this week like feel feel 100%. >> And and what does fight week look like for you? Like is it hard to switch off from the train? Because I know obviously a week out you kind of stop the hard train and the hardest parts and it's kind of just fight week. It's hard to switch off um from being so intense to then trying to relax, wait for the week, and then kind of weight cut in the meantime. >> Uh it can it can be um suppose like I've Thursday now. I've trained trained a good couple of times this week, especially like having an opponent change. I don't think too much has actually changed in terms of like how I approach this fight. um just few tweaks here and there like it's nothing nothing major. Um but it's it's interesting like I I love studying like opponents and like possible opponents too. So it's like in my head like I like to work out things and do stuff and like my teammates help me as well just talk about different ideas too. So I think that actually makes time go a bit quicker especially fight week and stuff you know. >> Yeah. And I was going to ask you about the opponent change obviously so close cuz we talked about the interview and then the post went up and I was like a I say it's just my look I actually you and someone else I won't mention who the other fight their fighter pulled out as well. I said of course I asked the two people that the fighters pull out. I said maybe it's the Dave curse or something. But how does that affect you mentally? Like like you said you'd be preparing for one you like to watch tape >> and then all of a sudden there's a short space of time. What do you do then? because obviously you can't go too in depth because you've got your other stuff going on. What way do you approach it then? Like how did it feel when you first found that the fight was was your opponent had pulled obviously we wish him speedy recovery whatever's happened but what's that like when it's so close that you're like oh like what what's going through your mind when you hear that? Uh, it's happened a few times with me where opponent pull outs have happened and I've always end up getting a new opponent. But I think like like us boys and Yoda the way like Ryan has us trained. It's it's um like you're you're training to get better. You're never really training for a specific opponent. And I think like that's the biggest thing. It's like especially I find in like this this fight approaching like my whole my whole thing has just been like just getting better for me and just like focusing on things that like I'm doing well and just like add more value to what I do as actually opposed to like focusing too much on opponent because I think for me that's the that that could have been the biggest downfall is like I get over obsessed and over analyzing and stuff like that too where like it it makes no odds really um to get a opponent especially like a week out. Um cuz I actually knew I was going to be fighting anyway. I was like there would be somebody wants this fight like so um no it's sweet like it's it's good >> especially when there's a title on you you usually you're going to get an opponent as well cuz someone's going to want a shot at that belt. Um >> but like I said with the change you knew you were going to be fighting >> and you're always training to get better like you've got some good guys in the gym. Uh we we spoke about off camera uh Shay Cona yourself um I'm after forgetting Owen uh as well. There's plenty more at the minute. There seems to be like a like a nice crew coming kind of through into the early answer stage. What's it like seeing obviously you've had 15 fights now I believe. >> Um >> what's it like seeing these new guys come through and and being part of a team and you being kind of one of the senior members in the gym? Um, I suppose it's not something really I've thought of it as like being a senior member. Like I think I've been training with Owen and Connith and and all them boys for uh quite a while now and it's like it's all interesting cuz it's like they're getting really good match ups and they're like doing well in fights and stuff which is unbelievable to see. Um, and then actually this year is something that I've noticed too is like we've got like a whole new wave of like lads coming through again like who you probably wouldn't even like hear of but they all will be competing like pretty soon. But it's interesting like it's good to see that like the gyms got like busier with with boys fighting. Like it's it's to see that and we're all pushing each other on like you know. >> Yeah. and like that like you started I think it was 2017 was your first fight I believe >> wasn't wasn't ready for a fight then like but that's when I first fight >> but it it just shows the difference in in the scene at the time you know the sort way whereas now fighters wouldn't go out unless already there there's the safety aspect there's there's so much to it like when you look at back at when you started to now like what kind of big changes have you noticed for the betterment of the sport or have you noticed any or has it just been kind of you've got to hear and hear and or you can >> it's it's something I actually talk about pretty often till like I wanted to fight straight off the bat like I was a couple months into training and like I was like oh I want to take a fight but um I remember he had to I think you had to be 18 or something you had to be adult to take an amateur fight. So I waited till I turned 18 and I think like two weeks later I fought in chaos and then that was like my first fight. I think I done like one one like in-house show or something like that there. Um but there's a massive difference between like what there was then and what there is now. Like even with you you have the grassroots like which you've got um the National League and then you've got uh Belfast Junior MMA league as well. I think that's I think that's unreal. Like I work with the the kids in the gym as well like from I think like four years of age up till about 16 or 17 and then that's on Saturday this coming at Belfast League and uh I think it's like six or seven young boys competing out of it and they're all like they're all killers like it's mad because like we have the kids class on we have the adults class on and you have like all the like the boys I train with they're all like watching the kids like spar and stuff and they're like I wish I started at that age like that is that's insane. And they're all like if if they choose to do so, they'll be they'd be great at the sport. Like I think >> Yeah, I think so as well that I talked to the two boys about the Belfast thing. They had to cap out of 70 points. That's unbelievable. Like >> think about it really. Um they've got a nice new space and all and like you said, you've got six or seven lads fighting there. when you started compared to like obviously you can see the skill levels the kids like you said they're starting so young and when they're getting to 18 19 they're like they're so wellrounded um one of the other things as well is there's a lot more shows now how do you feel as an amateur like that just say obviously if the fight didn't happen obviously it's going ahead there's still maybe four four shows before the end of the year as well how does it feel to have have the options like that cuz because years ago there might have been chaos and clan wars and they might have ran what twice a year or three times a year baby. And if you missed out on it, you could be like, "How does it feel for you to for the amount we have and the talent we have right now as well?" >> Yeah. Well, that's exactly it. And I suppose when you talk about like the amount of shows, well, it just shows you the amount of like people competing and it creates such like a a good um environment for like everyone to be in. Like you have so many people in this country who are like like really talented and really skillful where you're always going to get a good matchup regardless. And I think like the more shows there there is on too like not to say not to say that the more shows the better in ways but like the to know that there's maybe four more shows between now and the end of the year suppose like people have time frames to actually prepare four different fights and and also get experience of two to three fights a year which is class. >> Yeah. Yeah, it's like I was talking to someone before you earlier and they're fighting this weekend and they're boo booked for three shows before the end like so they're going to have four fights in the space of the next 3 months or four months like which is you might not you might not got that over a year and a half years ago back the way the scene was and it just show how it's improved but uh this Sunday you you fought on Europe before what you make sure what you make of Deky I think Decki is one of the nice people around he's always been very good to me I like how he matches as well and I find even when a fight falls out sometimes the next matchup that you make sometimes can be better. So, and it's just like how's your how's your dealings been with him? How do you find the show and how do you find competing on the show? >> No, Dak is 100%. He's he's easy to deal with as well. I think because he fights at such a high level too, he kind of understands what fighters actually go through themselves, especially like in the leadup to a fight. Um, but he he's he's 100% to deal with. And like then you talk about like fighting on the show too. I actually really like the show how like compact the the venue feels as well. Everything's in tight and all but um and then like it's an hour away from me or something like that. Anytime we fight I suppose it's only it's an hour travel. So it's not too bad like that way. And then uh it's a bit different to Belfast because normally people go are you fighting? You're like where you fighting at? like on your they normally think he wants to Belfast again for a fight. Um but it's good to get a change up too like >> Yeah. No, it is. I like the show. I like Deky. I like the way he runs it and like that. A lot of people have said what you said because he's a fighter. The way he runs the show and like and approaches you in in the weeks leading up and how he even matches you and like it's reflected in him. So obviously he's taken from his experience cuz he would have grown up in the or came up in the wild wild west of the fight >> and uh it's just for the better as well and I love the show. Um >> like I said when when you got the opponent change you're looking at Shane like is there anything obviously I don't want to give away your game plan anything. Is there anything that you've looked at that you can see that he's really strong at? Uh or is there do you want to keep that all quiet? Because I know from myself watching him that gym is very good at chain wrestling, ground wrestling. Like I said, you're I think you throw up two or three subs every 30 seconds. Like I was I can't remember what fight it was. It was just like, "Oh, oh, oh." >> But >> yeah, >> how do you expect this fight? Do you think it's going to be a fight on the ground or do you think it might surprise us and be on the feet or or how do you how do you expect him to approach you? >> I I think I think Shane's very good actually because of as like I've watched his fights actually before this this fight got announced. Um then his teammate last as well Degan and just uh I think they're a really solid gym like you say they've really good chain wrestling and stuff as well and I think I think Shane striking's pretty good too. So he he is an allrounder in my opinion. Um, but I think just it'll be an interesting fight like um but as I said like I was this past like I think I think whenever you have a fight and you a fight doesn't go your way and especially um whenever I fought Ronin I felt like I got like really exposed and from like I took a week off after that fight and ever since I've just been like in the gym and just like just working on improvements and and like that too. I think that's cliche to say, but um you do be exposed and I think for me like I wouldn't be the fighter I am now as opposed to March time for example. So um I think it's going to be a deadly fight. I'm actually like I'm really looking forward to that. >> Yeah. Know I'm really looking forward to it too as well. And Ronan Degan for me he was off for a while. Ron Degan, I think he was ready to go pro just before he got injured. Obviously, he wanted to come back and and get one or two to to shake off the rust and he's just so smothering or something. It's just just I watch him and when he gets someone down, you're just like, "Ah, just this isn't going to be good for whoever he's fighting." But with the title on the line as well, obviously it's the interim title. How does it feel to to fight for a belt on a show like your as well? Does that add anything extra or is it just kind of the cherry on top uh if you perform well and win? Yeah, I think I think I said there last is it is a cherry on top. I think I fought Jordan last year. I think the whole like like the like weeks leading up to the fight, I was like thinking about the belt and like obsessing over the belt and like that was the main goal, but I think I think the main goal is to go out and perform well and win and then you get awarded the belt. I think um just that approach this time as well where I'm not it's not really like I don't to say I don't really care about the balance. It'd be nice to have don't get me wrong but uh I'm just more I'm more interested in how I perform and show you open up the day. Yeah, because like I said you before me you show up on the day the belt is coming with you rather than Yeah. looking and it's not in a dis but looking just looking at the belt and not looking at your opponent as well is is I fighters have told me that where they look at something past the fighter and and that's where they fall short because you need to focus it. Your most important fight is always your next fight in my opinion no matter who it is. Um >> and like I said it's going to be on Sunday. It's going to be a really really really good show. Um I gonna let you go. Is there anything you want to say before you go or No, sorry. Back to Nathan actually. Um, with bringing Nathan on board, how have you actually found your nutrition? Like, have how have you found this kind of camp? Has he has it been a lot more smoother cuz you've got him in or or what kind of benefits have you got from getting Nathan in? >> No, definitely definitely smoother. Like I think I got Nathan maybe eight or nine weeks ago and it wasn't so much because of had a fight coming up. like this is my I can't there's like 15 or 16 fights now and I've never had a nutritionist or anything on board and my head is like I can make weight anyway. But I think um beforehand it was very like I'll just I'll just put myself in deficit and I'll cut the weight and stuff like that. But the biggest the biggest difference I've noticed in the approach to this fight especially with Nathan is like when I first text Nathan want to jump on them. Um, I said I want like that accountability first and then what I've noticed actually over the past number of weeks is like like how well fueled I have been in training and then injury prevention too. Like I haven't I haven't had one niggle this like ever since I accepted the fight to now like I haven't my body doesn't feel like as sore as it would. And I think like beforehand it picked up like we niggly injuries where you might have been like sitting on the mats for uh a couple of days because you had a nursing injury or something like that. But I feel like my body's like way more fueled and then just like it takes like a lot of uh weight off me as well approaching the the weight cut, you know? Yeah, that's what I was going to ask you because like it's like you have to be very informed and very educated on it as well and like that I could go oh you could eat this that but then you see what Nate and obviously Yanick who who he works with put out and you're just like I never knew that. I never thought of that. Like so there's things that you might believe you see on social media you see this and like there's there's so much like out there to to call it that people are just trying to sell their plan or whatever and then have you felt that weight come off you and then you can focus more on training and you find you've been more fueled and having better training sessions because you you've brought him on. >> Yeah, 100%. Definitely. Yeah, definitely that like it just feels just feels like a weight off my shoulders and just more like so weighs are Saturday and like Nathan text me every day just been like well what's it wait now like how you feeling now like and stuff like that and it's just like I remember him texting back he's like bang we're on happy days you know it's just simple and sweet and that's what I like you know >> yeah know it's good and like that you're fueled you're feeling good like I said you've no niggly injuries coming up you get to focus on just the fight as Well, and like I said, he's very good. I am going to let you go this time cuz I had that question for ages, then my mind went blank. Um, thank you so much for trying, especially so close to the fight. It's always a pleasure to talk to you. Is there anything you want to say before you go? >> Uh, just shout out to the boys as well, Yoda. Um, pushing each other every day and just we're building something great there. And then shout out to Pierce and Pierce Cunningham and Ryan Rodic to the to the men coaching me. Um, Ryan's in Dubai at the minute, too. So, uh, he's in deadly things out there with Paul. So, >> hopefully, uh, hopefully he comes back with some unbelievable stuff for us. >> I can only imagine. I seen he did because it was him, Paul, and was it Tom Aspenol? Was it was Tom? >> Yeah, that was a couple months ago. Him, uh, Ryan, Paul, Tom Aspenol, and Craig Jones. >> Like, what a team. Like, what? That's the table I want to sit. you know that's so if you if you were a go for dinner that's the thing you want to say and I think Ryan Rody is a legend in Irish MMA he's another I keep talking about people that I don't think get their flowers enough and I think he doesn't get his flowers enough for what he's done as a person as a competitor and what he's doing with the gym cuz like you said the the guys that are coming out now what you're telling me what's coming after the guys now it sounds unbelievably exciting. You need to give me the names of who I need to look out for coming through as well. Obviously, I'll always be looking at the guys that are there, but you'll be my inside man. >> Thank you so much. I will see you there. It be it's going to be a pleasure. I love watching you fight. Like I said, I love seeing when it's you and someone like this is going to be a good ground fight. And I just find it so I I have more of appreciation for the ground game than I did three years ago. And like this is a fight I'm really looking forward to. I can't wait to see you in person again because you're always very pleasant and I love having chat with you. And enjoy the rest of your evening. >> Cheers Dave. Appreciate it. Legend.