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| Mark Leonard - Founder |
There is some pretty big news before the Irish MMA League kicks off its 2012 Season on March 3rd in Loughlinstown Leisure Centre in Dublin. It seems 2012 will herald a new era for the MMA League as they enter into partnership with Cage Contender, Irelands largest MMA Promotion.
Since its inception in 2003 the MMA League has been the starting point for many of Ireland's top ranked MMA Fighters. Champions like Owen Roddy, Chris Fieldsand Tim Murphy all began their MMA journey at the league. Over the years many of the country’s other stand out fighters have featured too John Walsh,Clive Staunton, Paddy Holohan, Stephen Coll and John Redmond to name but a few.
Under this new partnership agreement the winner and runner up in each 2012 Veteran division will be automatically selected to enter a marquee TUF style Cage Contender Fight Night event which will be held later in the year. Much like "The Ultimate Fighter" there will be two teams for fighters mentored by different coaches and at the end no fewer than 3 prize packages will be handed out by Cage Contender. Each prize pack includes 3 semi pro fights on full Cage Contender events in 2013 plus choice of 2 sponsorships which will include Fight Wear, Training Gear, Supplements, Career Mentoring and Sports psychology
"This is the most significant prize we have ever been able to offer fighters in the League's history.
We created the League to give Irish MMA Fighters a sandbox to get some experience and begin to understand what it means to fight in the most exciting sport in the world.
It’s a great source of pride for the League that so many of our alumni go on to become the big names in the sport and this partnership with Cage Contender will make that progression from League Champion, to full rules fighter, to Pro Champion even more seamless" - MMA League's Mark Leonard.
Cage Contender which is currently broadcast in nearly 100 countries worldwide sees this partnership as a step towards mouldingand securing the future of MMA in Ireland.
“This partnership is about helping build the future of Irish MMA competition from the grass roots up.
The MMA League is where many of our top fighters have taken their first competitive steps in the sport and we are proud to be able to add some value to the sterling work that Mark Leonard and his team do at the league. If it wasn’t for the league I have a real fear that we would lose much of our upcoming talent to other martial arts.
The concept is that at the end of 2012 the winners from each section will be in one team mentored by Markand his chosen guest coach and the runners up will be in a second team mentored by myself and my guest coach. These guys will then match off with each other in a semi pro rules fight night. We will then ultimately choose a minimum of 3 fighters to receive Cage Contender prize packs. “ – John Ferguson, Cage Contender
Throughout its history the League has always been a welcoming arena for MMA participants not interested in fighting in the cage and Leonard has confirmed that this will not change
"The League always has and always will be the Safe, Fun and Easy way to get into MMA competition.
Though we have a hefty proportion of aspirant pro fighters in our role book we have a large chunk of casual fighters too, who like the chance to compete in a safe environment and not have to worry how they will look going to work on Monday! The same rookie divisions where we match first timers together will run in parallel with our Veteran divisions for more experienced amateur fighters.”
Do you want to be the next Contender? The journey begins on the 3rd of March 2012 in Loughlinstown Leisure Centre, Dublin!
For more details on the League log on to http://www.mmaleague.com or call Mark on 087 2037 926
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