Mullingar returns two gold medals from MMA World Championships
Relentless Martial Arts in Mullingar returned with two gold medals from the MMA World Championships in Abu Dhabi earlier this month.
Over 700 athletes from 47 countries took part in the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) event, which saw Team Ireland take home 10 medals and place 7th among all competing nations.
Kayden Dalton, competing in the 12-to-13-year age group, won her way through the -48kg division on August 10 to become the IMMAF’s first-ever two-time world champion, having also returned with gold from last year’s tournament.
Mullingar fighter Olivia Babiarz also claimed gold in the 14-to-15-year age group’s -57kg competition, winning all her fights via armbar submission to become the second person in IMMAF’s history to become a two-time world champion, after Kayden.
Olivia also had the fastest finish of the tournament, submitting one of her opponents in under 17 seconds.
A third medal for Mullingar came from Emily Hannick (14-15) in the -44kg division, this time a silver, after she narrowly lost to a strong opponent from the UAE, despite overcoming some serious contenders in earlier rounds with strong performances.
Joining the all-female delegation from Relentless were Maggie Meaney and Cadhlá Gilhooley, who put on strong displays for Team Ireland.
Despite missing out on a medal, they are very exciting prospects for the future.
Coach Alan McCormack said he was “incredibly proud” of the team’s achievements.
“We’re absolutely delighted with it because we’ve really been investing in our junior programme,” he said.
“We’re probably the most successful team in Ireland at the moment in Muay Thai and MMA - we have the most medals anyway.
“We have five world champion medals from this gym when most only have one, if even.
“It shows how dedicated the guys are; they’re absolutely brilliant and train very well.”
Mr McCormack said he’s sure some of the current crop of students will make it to the UFC someday, the world’s largest MMA promotion company.
“That’s the goal for some of them; they definitely have that ambition,” he said.
“Olivia [Babiarz] is definitely one who wants to pursue it. She doesn't want to go to college; she wants to try and make a go at this and she’s capable enough.
“We’ve already spoken to John Kavanagh (Conor McGregor’s former coach) about bringing our juniors up to him in SBG Dublin when they’re the right age.
“He has pro sessions and can do a couple of hours with them in the evening. They can also stay training with us here in Mullingar too.”
Relentless Martial Arts, located on the Lynn Road, is currently enrolling students for September and caters to children aged four and above, with plenty of adult classes also on offer.