FightHounds

On Friday the 13th of May, Wexford’s White’s Hotel hosts Tuff Nut 5:  “Evil Intentions”.  Keeping up with Ireland’s rapidly expanding interest in all things MMA, Tuff Nut have topped off a stacked card with a phenomenal main event; a fully professional 145lb title fight between Wexford native Brian “The Pikeman” Moore (1-0) and professional veteran Gary “The Dump Truck” Morris (8-8). It is Tuff Nut’s first ever fully professional fight and Brian and Gary are sure to give the fan’s their money’s worth when they collide for three rounds of fighting in the Tuff Nut Cage. I was lucky enough to chat to both fighters about the upcoming battle and also a little about their lives as professional mixed artists.  I put a set of question to both fighters and they very kindly took time out of their schedules to give me their answers.

Q. Where do you train out of?

Gary Morris: Rush Fight Academy (in Dublin).

Brian Moore: I train and fight out of SBG Ireland with a group of monsters! Everyone is very hard working and focused. There is a great atmosphere in the team and we all push each other along.  We have a world class coach in John Kavanagh who not only is a high level BJJ black belt but a genius when it comes to coaching MMA. I train my stand up in Kilkenny Top Pro under former Pro Kickboxing World Champion Paul Cummins which has done great things for my game.

Q. What interested you about MMA? Was it a conscious decision to get involved or was it a gradual thing for you?

GM: I actually can’t remember, I worked with Paul Cowzer, he was a boxer and I was a Judo fighter at the time and we just started training together. We originally trained in Shika and Paul had 2 pro fights out of that gym but getting there was tough so we trained in a studio and it went from there basically. All of a sudden we had other lads joining in, Glenn Bailey, Phil McRory, Lee Metcalfe and John Redmond so from basically day 1 we had great bodies around us.

BM: I never did any martial arts until I was 21. I saw the UFC and just fell in love with the sport.  The competitive side of me decided that I could no longer just watch, so I took up muay Thai and after about three months I started MMA. Within 6 months I had my first MMA fight.

Q. How long have you been a pro and what is your pro record so far? How many amateur fights did you have and what was your record there?

GM: March 2008 I made my Pro debut, feels like longer though as I’ve had so many fights since then. Pro record of 8-8 at the minute but I will be 9-8 after Friday the 13th. I had a very brief amateur career, one amateur fight and one semi pro, maybe it was a quick jump as I lost my first 3 pro fights, but records are for DJ’s in my opinion as it inaccurately describes a fighters ability with how many people seem to have “padded” records and people only remember you for your last fight so after this fight on Tuff Nut 5 I’m hoping peoples’ memories will be refreshed.

BM: I turned pro in February where I fought on the Chaos 8 card. I defeated Andy Young (by TKO), a really tough opponent. It was a fight I really enjoyed. I got to showcase a lot of things I had been working on and it meant a lot as it was my first fight as a pro but also as a member of SBG. Before that I had 3 wins and 0 losses as an amateur.

Q. What do you find is the biggest difference in your life style in general since the move to pro? Do you find it difficult at all to stay in shape?

GM: Not a lot really, I’ve always trained hard as I was an Irish international in Judo so I’ve always kept my head down and lived a training lifestyle. Also being the owner of MMA-FIT Personal Training helps with staying in shape as I am always on the go. Staying in shape is only a problem on extended lay-offs, which aren’t regular so I never get too out of shape (except this year when I was a barrel)

BM: Well I live in Wexford so training so much in Dublin and then in Kilkenny means a lot of traveling which has been the biggest change but very well worth it.  I eat well and am quite strict with my diet, especially 8 weeks out from a fight.  But have to admit I enjoy my Sundays where I eat what I want.

Q. How would you describe your style of fighting?

GM: I suppose my style would now be described as COWZ-KWON-DO. . . . Ah I’m more well rounded now than before when I heavily relied on my ground game, so I’m looking too dominate in all aspects of the game against any opponent I stand across the cage from.

BM: I’ve never been in a boring fight – I always try to finish my opponent.  I’ve been to a decision once, even though I won, I was still a bit disappointed.  It was my first time cutting weight and it had a big effect on me but lesson learnt.  So usually I am an exciting fighter who goes in to finish

Q. What do you feel is your biggest strength in the cage? Striking or takedowns, grappling, cardio etc.?

GM: I don’t see myself as having one biggest strength anymore, unless you class lifting my opponent over my head and eh “dumping” him to the ground a strength. (Big smile).

BM: I like to think that I am a well rounded fighter, I am always working on every aspect of my game, constantly trying to improve, but if I was to say what gives me an advantage it would be my heart. I’ve a huge determination to win and am very focused on my goals; there is nobody out there that will match me for that.

Q. How much, if anything, do you know about your opponent in the upcoming title fight?

GM: To be 100% honest, I don’t know a whole lot about him, I know he has been impressive in his recent bouts and fights out of a strong gym, BUT he hasn’t fought anybody with as much experience as me and I really think he won’t cope with the variety of ways I can finish this fight.

BM: I don’t know too much about Gary only that he’s an experienced fighter with over 10 professional fights and has a black belt in judo. To tell you the truth I’m not that concerned either. All I care about is what I can do. I have the skill-set to win this fight in any area and I’m going to put on my best performance yet.

Q. Given what you do know, is there any one area you feel you may have an advantage? Without giving away your strategy is there anything specific you will try to do?

GM: I think experience will come into play, I’ve been in there 18 times already and there is nothing he can show me that I haven’t seen already but I know he hasn’t experienced a lot other than winning fights. Can he cope with the pressure of fighting for a title? I know I have gone into the backyard of an opponent before and taken a title home (Gary is currently the Pride and Glory European Featherweight Champion) with me so I have no doubt I can do it again.

BM: I am happy wherever the fight goes, my training camp is going great and I feel strong in every area. I’m covering all aspects and working on my game plan. Every time I’ve stepped into the cage I have improved in every area, put on a much better performance than I did previously, and it’s down to hard work. This pattern will continue and will be seen when I get in there on Friday the 13th May.

Q. What would be the ideal scenario for you, a spectacular knockout or a great submission? Or do you care as long as you win?

GM: To be honest I want to make a statement that I am back – whether I KO him, dominate him or tap him out I will be making a statement.

BM: Either would be cool but I’m not worried as long as I get the win!

Q. Is there any well known fighter you would compare yourself to style wise or that you aspire to?

GM: Not really, I look at it as this is how I fight, I don’t want to try to be another fighter or try resemble a lower level version of one of the “famous” guys, I want to be the best at what I do and still have a lot of years to go as I’m still only 23 years old.

BM: There are two guys in particular in MMA that I idolize; GSP and Frankie Edgar. Both are great fighters at the top of their game through hard work, determination and willingness to learn.

Fight Hounds would like to thank both fighters for taking time out of their schedules to talk to us and also wish them luck in what is sure to be a fantastic fight.  In the words of Dana White, styles make fights and when an international class judoka faces off against a Muay Thai kick-boxer, it is difficult to find a greater contrast. Sparks are going to fly in Wexford on Friday the 13th of May and unfortunately for one of these tremendous Irish fighters, it is going to be unlucky for at least one of them. While both fighters are just 23 years old, Gary Morris does have the edge in terms of experience. Brian Moore however will be hoping his heart and total determination and will give him an edge of his own. Whoever emerges as champion will be a genuine Tuff Nut.

Brian will be stepping back in the Chaos cage in September when he takes on champion Ben Davis for the Featherweight title. Gary will also be competing for title gold in the coming months when he competes at Battle Zone 3 in June against Connor Dillon in a Featherweight title. The Battle Zone card and schedule are available on Fighthounds.com.