Kev Doyle explodes into Mixed Martial Arts with a 'Smash'

There was a crispness in the icy air about the Drumcondra Regency Hotel last night, not because of the impending winter or the fact that we've all felt the cold blunt of the inequities of the Irish government - rather, it was the rope that harbours a boat in the calm before a storm: taught with tension, morbid in its curiosity and unrivalled in its subsequent unleashing of fury. I was there for one reason and one reason only, to support a friend in a proverbial cock fight. Entering the Regency Hotel I didnt know what to expect but passing the threshold into the overtly professional setup electrocuted me back into the reality of just how serious this event was. 80 inch tv screens lined the walls with HD broadcast quality cameras following the in-the-ring-action, doctors at the ready, a fully kitted prep room and prefight interviews to boot: Mixed Martial Arts, man versus man in an octagon with nowhere to run and only your 8-ounce-glove-covered fists, knees and legs to prevent you from being beaten into the canvass; that is exactly what Kev 'smash' Doyle did in his official MMA debut. His opponent, Alan Skelly was a braver man than many, most would agree to face such a intimidating threat in the middleweight category of this modern medieval battle. It was the fourth fight of the night and for those who didnt know the chronological fight arrangement, but who have the pleasure of knowing Kev Doyle personally, they would have instantly known he was on his way to the ring when 'Why cant we be friends' blasted out across the arena as his entrance music, as ironic as his humour may be, there was nothing ironic about what was to come. They met squarely in the centre of their coliseum as the referee spoke of them the rules: 'No low blows, no tyson biting and even though you're both half naked and rolling around on the ground for the pleasure of hundreds of people, try not to get carried away' - im sure he said. They touch gloves and the fight is on. Kev moved forward like a steaming locomotive pile driving into Skelly with an unparallelled reckoning. Quickly going for the midsection and shutting down his opponents offensive, the reasoning behind Kev 'Smash' Doyles nickname became apparant in the form of an over the head bodyslam - the first of only 2 to happen in any of the fights of the night. Skelly hit the canvass with a thunder that could be heard in outer mongolia as the crowd winced at the sound of his body crashing down in a crumbling mess. Most would agree that from this moment the fight was over as Doyle squashed Skelly into the mesh corner trying to get full mount and delivered what can only be described as 4 absolute haymakers followed by a flurry of rabbit punches and straight face blows. However, Skelly managed, in credit to him to somehow get to his feet again. Kev maintained control and pulled a few punches in lieu of not sacrificing his advantage, steering the fight his own way. Kev then swung backwards on himself, twirling around to garner a more solid standing advantage. From there he bullied Skelly to the adjacent side of the octagon, maintaining his low center of gravity and completely disabling any intention that Skelly may have had to attack by going for the midsection again, this time only to deliver the second smash - hoisting Skelly 6 feet into the air and quite literally planting him head first into the hardened soil. From there Doyle seized his chance and pounced, getting full mount with ease and after careful calculation and surgical precision, delivered 11 splintering nuclear warheads to Skellys face that prompted the referee to step in and stop the fight, declaring Kev Doyle the winner. The rapturous applause of the coolmine bjj support resounded the Regency hotel with no words, rather euphoria for a man who not only beat his opponent, his own demons and what I can only assume were natural nerves, to transcend getting lost in his moment by walking over to Skelly who sat in the center of the octagon with his head hanging low and outstretching his hand; pulling him back to his feet. They say you should dress for the job you want and Doyles actions would suggest he wants to be the top dog as his attitude both in the ring and in a graceful, non complacent victory, points to only one thing - a potential Champion. However, He and his coach Luke Corcoran were the first to say to me personally that hype means nothing, its the training and the will produce success. Kev Doyle explodes into mixed martial arts with a 'Smash'...