Liam McGeary
www.liammcgeary.com/mcgearymanagement@gmail.comAbout
Liam McGeary (born 4 October 1982) is an English professional mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator's Light Heavyweight division. According to the global-mma.com rankings, he is the number 7 ranked fighter in the world (outside of the UFC).
"The achievements of the 6-feet 6-inch powerhouse may well have gone unnoticed by many in Jersey as the sport struggles to attract the level of attention paid to it across the pond. But, despite only having moved to the Island as a teenager, he still views it as his home and constantly has to correct his American counterparts who know only of their own ‘Jersey’.
McGeary moved over from the UK at the age of 15 to work as a steel fixer and then later as a delivery driver. He had a basic understanding of boxing from an early age from his father, who still lives in Jersey, but it wasn’t until his mid-twenties that he began training in kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
His natural talent was immediately recognised and he combined his skills under Jersey MMA coaches Andrew Toporis and Stuart McIntyre, and his ability was such that he turned professional after just one amateur fight. With the reigning champion then being the only fighter willing to face McGeary, the Islander went on to capture the ICO British title in only his second professional bout, which took place at Fort Regent in 2011.
However, with MMA still largely unrecognised in the Island, he then had trouble finding opponents as top fighters in the UK remained wary of Jersey’s ‘unknown quantity’. Even as British champion McGeary struggled to attract the level of support (both financial and moral) obtained by his mainland counterparts and he was forced into selling everything he owned to fund his relocation to America, where the sport is mainstream and the training is cutting edge.
Ironically enough, McGeary moved to New Jersey in 2012 and in a matter of months he had his first US victory – a second round knockout. This success was so impressive that he was signed by Bellator, and he gained entry into last summer’s championship with three first-round wins."
excerpt from JEP 7/2/2015
MMA - the facts
Mixed Martial Arts is a combat sport that incorporates boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, judo and jiu jitsu.
Fights incorporate 3 x 5 minute rounds (although McGeary’s title fight will be 5 x 5 minute rounds as it is for championship).
Fighters wear shorts, 4 oz gloves, groinguards and gumshields.
Wins can be achieved by knockout, technical knockout (referee stoppage), submission (via a joint lock) or by judges’ decision.
Wrongly labelled ‘cage fighting’, MMA is a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide, with main sponsors including Xbox, Gilette, Sky, Harley Davidson, Budweiser and Burger King.
Bellator is one of the two main MMA franchises in America [UFC is the other], and the last event broke viewing records, with over three million people tuning in.
Bellator’s owners also control Channel 5, who will be televising McGeary’s fight.
Plans are in place to broadcast the fight in Jersey, although venues are still to be confirmed.Categories: Martial Arts.
