my BAMMA fight

[R. Devane]

Jessica - I am dissappointed that we never got to meet up with you and Sharyn after the fight - I feel bad but I think it was simply a screw up all around. I will make it up to both of you though. Thanks a million for coming over and supporting - it was great having you both there and you both looked great too.

[louise devane]

Rob at the official weigh-in

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[louise devane]

face off

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[louise devane]

getting the vaseline done and about to enter the cage

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[louise devane]

Tom & Rob at the after party

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[dkidd]

Jaysus Tom looks a bit cut up big kudos to you all

[robbwilson]

delighted for you Rob, fully deserved, I try get bravo on the computer. Hard to watch things here in saudi.

[musclerunner1]

WELL DONE ROB ON FIGHT, GREAT AND EASY WIN

[louise devane]

What a weekend !!!! Finally I'm home and can write up all about the fight, as doing it from your phone is not the same. I wrote up about the weigh in's , they were funny especially the "Spongebob" theme. Leave it to Rob. You just never know what he is going to do. I think Kiefer was more shocked hahahah. It was all go from the beginning, after weighing in Rob was eating like crazy and on loads of lucozade. "hyper hyper". We all headed out for some grub and then headed back to the room to chill out for the evening.

Fight day!!!!. Rob had to meet in the arena for his medicals, but before we headed over. The best happened. Rob's opponent got in the same lift as us, it was hilarious because the guy wanted to talk to him and asking him "how he was feeling" classic!!!. Of course Rob is no mood to have a happy conversation and it was pretty awkward, the ppor guy was going to get bashed in a few hours. After all that we all headed over to the arena for the medicals. Terry and myself were not supposed to be there but we managed to blag our way through. Medicals went fine and that was the last time I saw Rob until the fight. Terry and myself headed to our seats.

The fight. It was amazing to see the big screens flashing Rob's name. The crowd were so supportive and everyone was cheering our Irish buachaill on, even though the other guy was English. Eric O'Keefe, Kiefer Crosbie and Alan Keddell came walking out with Rob. Of course I was there screaming and snapping pictures. The fight kicked off, there was no touching gloves , it was straight in and a quick finish 1min 2 secs. I can tell you it was a relief off the shoulders.

Before we new it, it was the main event and it was all over. The day flew in but alot of nerves. It was a very professional event and very well run. Sharyn and Jessica headed over to, but we never got to hang out which was a pitty. Terry and myself had really good seats and got to see Katie Price making her grand entrance. The girl is so hated. All the fights were very high standard. It was really great to be there and watch everything. Everyone thinks it's so easy for Rob to jump in and do what he is doing, but to be honest the preparation that he put into the training. He was 7 weeks away from home, which was hard. Trying to settle back to your normal climate and then off again, it's not easy. I do think he was very focused on this fight as it's a harder show, he didn't know really anything on his opponent, only that he was a strongman champ. Thats hard also. All in all it was a great fight, a great show and he did us all proud and is an inspiration not only to us but to Martial Arts in Ireland. Rob has been competing for a very longtime and has travelled the world competing and is still competing today. A big well done and congratulations to you Rob you truely deserve it. Thank God it's all normal eating now and back to normality

[alcatraz]

I've already fired off a PM, but I just wanted to say well done to Rob.

I've set my DVR to record the whole event on Friday evening on BRAVO at 9:00pm (or 10:00pm on Bravo+1).

I'm just back from Rome, and I did record the Watson v Reid fight, and I must say, I have a new respect for Alex Reid.

All he needs to do now is get rid of Katie and 'The Twins'.

I'm looking forward to seeing Rob's fight on Friday, and hearing what Malcolm Martin and Pierre Guillard have to say.

Also, Rob, did you get an OJ Borg interview after your fight, and more importantly, did the pronounce your surname correctly this time.

Anyway, brekkie time, so gotta go, but seriously buddy, well done, and congratulations. As I said in my PM, 'Onwards and Upwards!'

John.

[R. Devane]

As you all know, I put so much into my training for this fight. I have never picked one of my opponents and the first opponent I had pulled out so I was matched up with Colin Lewis. He was 1 - 0 but was incorrectly listed as 0 - 1 by BAMMA because of another Colin Lewis. I didn't find any video clips on him but I did find out that he had won several strongman titles. With only this information I had to devise a strategy and training plan. He had access to endless amounts of footage of me but all I ever saw of him before the weigh-ins was his BAMMA fight picture. I knew he was going to be very strong and I trained accordingly.

My weight cut went very well. Throughout my competitive career I've had to make weight so I have a lot of experience at it. It's still easy to screw it up though but I did it spot on. I arrived in the UK on Thursday and I couldn't really eat or drink anything so time went by quite slowly. I simply hung out with Eric, Neys (Tom's manager), Tom and his mam and aunty. We went for a stroll around the very busy town and ended up in Sainsbury's which was extremely cruel considering I had to fast!

I always like the weigh ins because I get to eat right away afterwards! My opponent had difficulty making weight. I was bang on. I think everyone liked my boxers The square off was fine too - I always like that part too. Then it was carb-load city! The game is to try to put back on as much weight as possible until getting in the cage. I still ate well though and didn't head to the chipper. It's still very important to eat right before the fight. The rest of the day was spent chilling out in the room conserving energy and we all went out for a meal that evening.

Fight day flew in and I had to head over to the stadium early for the medicals. They said I was superhuman (not!). It was quick and easy. I checked out the cage which is a lot bigger than the ones at smaller shows. Bigger = better for me. As I was the first fight, there was no point in leaving the stadium. I went to Tom's warm up room to get ready. We didn't think the show would start on time and I didn't want to warm up too early but as luck would have it, they were bang on so I barely got enough of a warm up. Alan Keddle the owner of Keddle's Gym held the pads for me and I clinched a bit with Kiefer too. That was it - onto the cage.

Everyone seemed to like the Dropkick Murphy's song that I entered to. I was expecting some boos because I was taking on a local fella but no, I was amazed because I reckon I got a lot more cheers than him. I was cheerd by loads of people I don't know which was very cool. I felt the most calm I've ever felt in the cage and I was ready. After we were introduced the fight began straight away with being brought into the centre by the ref. I advanced forward and Colin moved backwards. I faked at him and continued forward. As expected, he rushed at me to get the clinch and I think I tried an uppercut and a knee to the midsection. We moved back onto the cage in the clinch and fighting for position. My takedown defence and balance worked well as he simply wanted to take me down. I think he got frustrated as he probably thought it would be easier (he won his 1st fight in 50 seconds!). He tried to bully me with his strength and he was strong but I'm stronger than I look He did knee me in the groin but I ignored it and continued. I gave him another couple of hard knees to the midsection and the last one really hurt him. He bent over and I was a bit worried that he was going to gesture to the ref that I had kneed him in the groin as a strategy to get a 5 minute breather. So, I lashed on the same figure 4 choke that I subb'ed my second opponent with. It's a tight choke and I lifted him off the ground and he tapped instantly. It did feel quick. I was a bit dissappointed that I didn't get to do other stuff but as the saying goes, 'be careful what you wish for'. I took the quick win and I am happy with it. I was interviewed in the cage straight afterward and then I had another interview outside the cage.

After I fought, I supported Tom for his fight. As always, it was great to be a part of his fight. I roped Kiefer in too and it was great experience for him to be in the warm up room and then to walk out with Tom for the fight. Watson v's Reid went down as a historic fight. Tom clearly won and Alex clearly proved a lot of people wrong. We went for food and then to Tom's after party. It was a mad day and I couldn't sleep at all that night.

Right, here come the thank you's:
Thank you to Eric O'Keefe, Neys, Tom Watson, Kiefer Crosbie, Alan Keddle, Terrence Crosbie, Louise Quinn, Declan Comerford, Jessica & Sharyn, Zahabi MMA, Montreal BJJ, Howard Grant, Jonathan Chaimberg, Tamu, Ken Lynch, Ian 'The Machine' Freeman, the Team Machine lads and everyone at MAI. A big thank you to my sponsors: Bruce Shaw, Mercury Engineering and HeadRush.

[stephenlarge]

Much appreciated Rob, Louise and Kiefer for taking the time to give such indepth reports on the event. They really give a great insight as to whats involved in a fight. Looking forward now to watching Bravo on Friday.

[dkidd]

Jaysus writing that took longer than the fight Great credit goes to you Rob not just for your skill but for your attitude to Martial Arts. It would be easy for somebody with your list of accomplishments to sit back live it but you still have the cojones to get in the cage against an unknown opponent.
Well done again

[R. Devane]

They have some pictures up - any idea how to save them from there?

bamma.com/index.php/image-gallery/bamma-4-image-gallery.html

[louise devane]

Here is the interview with no edits.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9l8d1UNsiok&feature=sub

[R. Devane]

Kiefer just texted me to say they didn't show my fight on Bravo - I had a feeling it probably wouldn't be shown. A couple of fights were missing - probably because of the Tom Watson & Alex Reid 5 round war. I was the first fight so I was also the first fight to be edited out. I'll see if I can get my hands on the footage.

[dkidd]

Probably because it was over so quickly lol

[johnj]

Congrats Rob, managed to get a look at the fight. Nice win.!!

[philliptwyford]

Hi Rob,

Just watched your interview. Not only are you very professional in the ring but out of it you are a great ambassador for MMA. You answered the questions in a very educated and sportsmanlike manner and your post fight interview technique was really polished.

Congrats again.

Phillip

[R. Devane]

it was just off the cuff Phil. The interview they gave me in the cage straight after I fought was better but they didn't show it on Bravo