CLAN WARS 38 set to reignite Irish MMA scene this Sunday on PPV
The first MMA card to take place on the Island of Ireland since March is all set to take place behind closed doors in Belfast this weekend. Clan Wars, is held in high regard as the longest running promotion in the country. Its 38th event will be like no other due to the circumstances surrounding the Covid 19 pandemic. In absence of tickets the fans are being asked purchase the pay per view. The CW team have been clear to point out that they have been in constant contact with the local council and other relevant bodies to make sure everything is above board. We would encourage everyone in the fight game community to support the show by purchasing the PPV, if this one is a success, we will get a few more.
Of the fight announcements that have been drip fed to us over the past few weeks, there are some great contests to look forward to, both amateur and pro. When i have a full running order i will post here, but here are some of the contests to look out for.
MATTHEW FRIEL (7-3) vs GER HARRIS (7-2) – AM Flyweight
We have been championing the skills of Kobat Jiu-Jitsu’s Matthew Friel for quite a while now and may have even called him the top flywight in Ireland a number of times. The big issue with that statement is the same can be said for Ger Harris, a former IMMAF World Champion at Flyweight, under the coaching of Owen Roddy at SBG Charlestown.
Harris has not fought on Irish soil since September 2018, back then he was a relatively unheralded prospect but a few months later took down the very prestigious IMMAF title. He was last seen winning via sub on an English Celtic Gladiators behind closed doors card in August.
Cutting a contrasting path to that of Harris is Friel, who has been dominating all comers at flyweight on the local scene in the last 2 years, even prompting him to step up to bantamweight to find some competition. In the process he has hoovered up a number of belts in both weight classes in the process. Style wise Friel is a very slick grappler and generally does his best work on the ground. His transition to the triangle choke to submit Ciaran Mullholland at AKUMA FC13 was highlight reel stuff. (look it up!)
ALEX O’SULLIVAN (20-9) vs SEAN MCCONNELL (3-1) – AM Lightweight Title
Just looking at the record of CMAC’s Alex O’Sullivan would suggest a well journeyed MMA career thus far despite his young age which is certainly true. He has fought both on Irish soil and further afield in IMMAF tournaments since as early as 2014 and this looks to be his final amateur contest before making the jump to pro. His last fight in Ireland was a slick second round sub Alex Yankov at AKUMA FC in August 2019 , after that he went on to take silver at IMMAF European champs later in that winter.
Sean McConnell of SBG Charlestown is a good opponent to test O’Sullivan before he makes the pro jump. With heralded MMA coach Owen Roddy in the corner, McConnell has shown great leaps in progress each time he has stepped into the cage with a his record now standing at 3-1.
KARL MCCONWAY vs GARY ROONEY – AM Bantamweight Title
Shaolin MMA Galway’s, Karl McConway has fought a whos who of top bantamweights and flyweights over the last 3 years and his progression in that time showed in his last performance. Picking up the CW Bantamweight title with a decision over Matthew Friel after drawing him into a stand up battle.
On the opposite side of the cage on sunday will be SBG’s Gary Rooney a name well known for his BJJ accomplishments. Despite his young age and diminutive stature, Rooney has made a successful transition into MMA over the last 18 months. Picking up a decision win on his debut in May 2019 in Cork then having a further four fights on the IMMAF tournament series going 2-2 in those over international oppositon. He now returns to the cage in his homeland for just the second time, to have a tilt at the Clan Wars bantamweight title against McConway in what will be an intriguing contest.
Written by Stephen Towers
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