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Published 14:59 22 Feb 2019 GMT
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"BJJ was always my thing, I always loved it that was like, that's still my main passion, jiu jitsu but I just love to fight, I love the game, even though I've got a lot of experience this is going to help me at the weekend, from the MMA League to all my amateur fights to my pro fights to all my grappling experience, this guy is in for a rough night. A quick night but a rough night".To those who aren't familiar with this league, The Amateur Irish Mixed Martial Arts League was established in 2004 by Mark Leonard and used to be the primary platform for Irish fighters who sought experience competing in the sport before making the eventual move to the cage. The league ran for 10 years before being dissolved but its memory will forever be remembered by those who competed and watched the event during that time. Leonard spoke to SportsJOE on how the Irish MMA League came about.
"By 2004 I had fought a few times in MMA and I found that the gulf between the gym and getting into the ring was huge, so I wanted something for others starting out that would help them bridge that gap with the league fighters could pressure test and prepare for a future in the cage or ring, or find out in a safe way that MMA competition wasn't for them."
"No, I actually would have never thought that. I was doing it for fun back then, I was still training very hard, as I won as you can tell but yeah, it's a big jump up from no head shots MMA League to be there on the main card for TV for Bellator".MMA fans are undoubtedly excited that the 27-year-old is getting another chance to show that the hype isn't just that. Highly regarded by the entire roster at SBG, his stablemates have only good things to say about the Arklow man. Speaking to SportsJOE on what Smullen is like as a sparring partner, fellow SBG prospect, Cian Cowley told us that "Richie is one of the toughest rounds in the gym. Relentless pressure and drive." https://www.instagram.com/p/BjMvyqmBmUS/ With regards his Bellator career, Cowley can only see it going one way.
"I really think he can dominate the featherweight division at Bellator. He has a great fighter's mind and a will to learn so with that, the sky is the limit for him!"
When SportsJOE asked Richie how he thought the fight would go on Saturday. He replied quite confidently, again smiling, "Destruction, round one".
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