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Post by Donal Ryan on Nov 17, 2008 16:17:54 GMT
Wow Rob that's a fantastic opportunity! See if GSP can put in a good word for you  You'll have to let us know what was involved, what exactly you did and what the team was like when you get back. |
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Post by markleonard on Nov 19, 2008 15:02:47 GMT
Thank you to everyone for their support, both here on the forum and at the Dojos. I only sent the official application off last Friday so they will have probably just received it now and I don't think they fully decide until the end of the month. It's funny because within 24 hours of the clip being on the website I was being asked if I got in yet! I am delighted to announce that I have been invited to Canada to spar with Georges St-Pierre as he is in training and getting ready to defend his UFC welterweight title in the biggest fight of his career against B.J. Penn in January. While I'm there I will also get to train with several other top champions. This is a big opportunity for me and for MAI and I leave at the end of next week. I will of course keep you all posted. Thanks again for all the support. Best of luck with the application Robert. You lucky so and so training with GSP! |
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Post by spidermato on Nov 19, 2008 21:47:59 GMT
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Post by louise devane on Nov 25, 2008 16:46:21 GMT
Hi Antonio ,
Yep Robert is getting on very well . Everything seems to be going well and there is a big time difference there too . He said weather was really cold . But Im sure he will fill us all in when he gets back . He better because Im dying to know . Talk to you soon
Louise
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Post by R. Devane on Nov 26, 2008 15:24:54 GMT
Thank you to everyone for your encouragement.
The story so far:
I'm halfway through my training trip to Canada. GSP is as nice as they say he is. He is very friendly and has made me feel very welcome. He has shown me how he does his cardio and strength training and we've already been out for dinner and for lunch together. I also met and trained with a couple of other UFC fighters including David 'The Crow' Loiseau. Everyone has been very nice, professional and friendly. They are all used to training together and they do train hard but they don't injure each other. It's their job to fight and they treat it as such. Eric O'Keefe has coached me throughout my stay and I couldn't have asked for a more friendly and caring coach. He has been very good to me and this whole trip wouldn't have happened without him. I have picked up a lot. The culture over here revolves around sport - Ice Hockey is huge and I got to sit ringside for one of their biggest matches of all time. Now that is a very tough and fast sport. I think I'll stick to the fighting! I'm looking forward to coming home and implementing all that I have learnt into my own training and into MAI but I do have to survive the rest of the week first! This is my fifth week in a row training hard twice a day and eating healthy. Training intensity has increased since I got here and my body is definitely feeling it now. No time for a rest day so thank god Christmas is coming up!
Thanks again for everyone's interest and well wishes.
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Post by spidermato on Nov 26, 2008 16:01:23 GMT
Hi Robert,
Thanks for the update...its great to read that you are ok and that everybody there is treating you well.Great experience indeed. Please keep us updated!
All the best for the remaining time there
Antonio
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Post by dkidd on Nov 27, 2008 13:37:05 GMT
Hey dude sounds like a great buzz yeah the more I train the more I realise that diversity and intensity is the key. Looking forward to picking up a few tips when you get back.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2008 14:57:26 GMT
Sounds great, glad to see you're getting on so well. We all miss our head instructor over here and hope you enjoy the rest of the week loads.
See you soon,
PS., we're still all jealous.
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Post by R. Devane on Dec 2, 2008 23:50:38 GMT
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Post by dkidd on Dec 3, 2008 10:03:39 GMT
Hey man photos looik cool intense but cool. later dude
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Post by spidermato on Dec 3, 2008 11:30:12 GMT
Great Pics! everybody there looks so big!! Looking forward to seeing the whole report of your experience there
Antonio
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Post by markleonard on Dec 3, 2008 16:29:08 GMT
Class you lorry lorry so and so!
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Post by R. Devane on Dec 31, 2008 0:16:49 GMT
Better late than never. Here is some more info on my MMA training trip in Montreal. robertdevane.blog.com/As you will notice, I have decided to start a blog so as not to bog down the MAI website. This will be my online diairy and I will regularly update it with what I am doing and thinking, Martial Arts and non Martial Arts related. Please feel free to check it out anytime you like. It would be good if somebody actually read it! |
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Post by mickroch on Jan 2, 2009 12:37:20 GMT
Hi Rob,
Just read your blog from your trip to Canada.
Its the start of a new year and its great to see ya take a giant leap forward to your dream of competing in the UFC.
If the country was proud of Kenny Eagan and the boys they aint seen nothing till they see the determination of Robert Devane.
Having trained with you for the last few years your enthusiasm for pasing on your knowledge has never wained. You instill the never give up attitude in anyone ya meet. Even in the darkest of times when every muscle in your body aches ya squeeze the last effort out of us. Your own standards and regimes are up there with the best and with your knowledge its great to see how the teacher becomes the student again no matter what the level.
The end if a new year brings hope of a better one ahead. I hope that you can carry the MAI flag all the way to the top.
Anyway, All the best to you and the rest of the team for 2009,
Thanks,
Mick
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Post by R. Devane on Jan 2, 2009 15:33:42 GMT
Jeepers-creepers. Mick R actually being nice to me! Shocker! I feel bad now for slagging you in the 1pm Kickboxing class today in D.15! You must be looking for something off me ha ha
Seriously though, thank you very much for the support. Years ago when I competed I didn't have anywhere near the same amount of support or training partners as I do today. I do think that Martial Arts in general should be a lot more supported by Irish media - but that's a whole other issue!
I know 2008 wasn't an easy one for you and I hope that 2009 is a great year for you and everyone else too.
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You'll have to let us know what was involved, what exactly you did and what the team was like when you get back.
