Shane was very much looking forward to challenging for the title on Saturday and is certainly disappointed. However, he’s more concerned for Kevin’s health and wishes Kevin a speedy recovery. Walker has assured Shane that Carney vs. Thomas will happen at the next available opportunity.

It seems that Carney vs. Thomas may well be a jinxed fight. They’ve missed each other due to injury and schedule conflicts for over two years at this stage.

We’re disappointed that the fight is not to be on Saturday and know that the scores of Kokoro members who bought tickets are going to be disappointed too. Right now though, our thoughts are with Kevin and we hope he’ll be back to full health soon.

Kokoro members that have purchased a show ticket solely to watch this title fight can return their ticket to Kokoro Gym for a full refund. Of course, all purchased tickets are still valid and it promises to be a great show. We hope those that have bought a ticket will choose to support the national MMA scene by attending the show despite the cancellation of this match!

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE ON THE BUS

Kokoro Fights on Card:
Shane Thomas (Kokoro) v. Kevin Carney (Antrim MMA)
Cathal Pendred (Kokoro) v. Ciaran Morgan (Elite)
Ed Kleinbergs (Kokoro) v. Liam Ward (Evolve)
Cian Ruane (Kokoro) v. Kevin Gallagher (Strabane Ultimate JJ)

Chaos is a TOP CLASS show. Look forward to seeing you there.

Register your place now! Tickets will be on sale at Kokoro Gym in the next few days. If we’ve enough people coming up we’ll book a bus (then split the cost which won’t be much). If not, we’ll car share as with previous shows. Please register now if you’re looking to come up for the event.

JOHNNY BOWDEN (KOKORO) V JOHN REDMOND (RUSH)
KARL BRUINS (ELITE) V CATHAL PENDRED (KOKORO)
WILL BURDOCK (KOKORO) V PAUL BRENNAN (SUDDEN IMPACT)
SEBASTIAN TORRES (JIU-JITSU) V LEO BURDOCK (KOKORO)
SHANE THOMAS (KOKORO) V RICHIE IVORY (NEXT GENERATION)
JONNY ORIGAN (KOKORO) V GARETH LYONS (KYOUJIN)

Use the comments box to book your seat!

BUS:

PLEASE REGISTER WITH YOUR FULL NAME!
We’ve 10 Steves, 13 Johnnys, 4 Tommys, 6 Joshs and a goat….

1. Shane Thomas
2. Cathal Pendred
3. Leo Burdock
4. Johnny Bowden
5. Will Burdock
6. Colin Campbell
7. Thomas Nolan
8. Stephen Monnelly
9. Dr. John Dorian, MD, PhD, ABC, Nintendo Wii.
10. Eoin Kerins
11. Kieran Phoenix
12. Ronan Keenan
13. Bernard McDonnell
14. Seamus Cassells
15. Jonny Origan
16. Jo Preuss
17. Josh C.
18.
19.
20.

CAR:
1. TJ Hooker
2. Cian Ruane
3. James Flanagan
4.

With some 20 lads ‘n lasses from Kokoro suporting him on the day, Shane’s happy to get the away win in front of what “felt like a home crowd”!

Volunteers to drive up will be greatly appreciated, just leave a comment below and I’ll try to organise lifts up for everyone on the day. Good times!

The event is being held in The Elk Hotel/Night Club in Toome, Co Antrim. As Shane has mentioned below, paying me the €20 in advance will save you a few quid on the exchange, and will guarantee a seat.

As Shane has mentioned below, we leave the gym at 11:00 sharp on Sunday morning. The fights start at 14:00 (according to the ticket) so there won’t be long to wait before we see a bit of action. I have tickets for everyone who paid so far, but there should be a few left at the door should anyone else want to come up and support Shane.

Car 1: Shane
1. Shane
2. Colin
3. Leo
4. Will
5.

Car 2: Tristan
1. Tristan
2. Thomas
3. JD
4. Seamus

Car 3: Zoolander
1. Zoolander
2. Paddy
3. Bowden
4. Cathal

Car 4: James
1. James
2. Jonny
3. Jo
4. Stephen

Car 5: KacperMobile
1. Kacper & Co

8th November
CHAOS 3
Pro – Shane Thomas (Kokoro MMA) v. John McClements (Sudden Impact)

John is a big, dynamic and aggressive fighter. Shane refereed his matchup with Simon Flemming of Dog Pound Newry at Ultimate Conflict 1. John put in an impressive showing to win the match by decision. That match was at 75kg and this matchup with Shane is to be at 65.8.

Either John has been training very, very hard or he’ll be doing a lot of cutting for this fight. We’re guessing it’ll be a bit of both. John’s going to be aggressive, dangerous, up to 10 kilos heavier than Shane and supported by a corner of MMA Champions.

Shane is 0-3 at the moment and is shooting for 2-3 come fight night. He’s supported by the finest amateur team in Irish Mixed Martial Arts and with the likes of Leo Burdock, Will Burdock and Cathal Pendred in his corner – he’s certain he’ll be alright on the night.

4th October
Ultimate Conflict 2

Pro- A CLASS – Shane Thomas (Kokoro MMA) v. Richie Ivory (Next Generation)

Next Generation are a solid camp with a ground game passed down from UFC, Pride and KOTC veteran Chris Brennan. Add to this the keen coaching skills and cage experience of Dave Jones and we’ve got ourselves a challenge!

4th October 2008
Ultimate Conflict Ireland 2

Amateur – Will Burdock (Kokoro MMA) v. Paul Brennan (Sudden Impact)
Amateur – Cathal Pendred (Kokoro MMA) v. Karl Bruins (Elite)
Amateur – Leo Burdock (Kokoro MMA) v. Sebastian Torres (Dog Pound)

24th August 2008
EFR 14

Pro – Shane Thomas (Kokoro MMA) v. Aidan Scullion (EFR)

Colin will arrange road trips nearer the events. He does a great job of co-ordinating cars and stuff. Pity he can’t fight for shite.

Hope to see you there supporting us and we’ll keep you informed as more matchups are confirmed. Expect a very busy October!

Unfortunately, it didn’t go Shane’s way. He was knocked down early on in the round and recovered quickly to work on bringing his opponnent to the ground. McCafferty took the top mount position and Shane was able to turn him easily enough to avoid McCafferty’s ground strikes.

McCafferty then slipped on a triangle and Shane was unable to generate the drive needed to push out. After much rolling, the triangle took full hold and Shane was out. A few strikes were dropped on Shane whilst unconcious from the choke. However, no harm/damage was done.

Congratulations to McCafferty.

With this matchup behind him, Shane will now turn his full attention towards instructing and coaching. He’s felt for some time that his students and fight performances have suffered as he tries to spread himself too thinly. He’s now looking forward to being able to focus fully on helping Kokoro Members become the best that they can be.

This is to be Shane’s last professional fight (probably…) so it’s sure to be fun ‘n games on the night. We are running a full-on Road Trip for the event. Wohoo!

Planes, Trains, Automobiles, Fights, Hotel and Parties in Galway. Sign up sheet is up in the gym and you’ll need to book a room in Galway. We’ll be going up on the train and will post details as soon as we can figure out the train times…

Hotel details here: www.thewestern.ie – just quote “Tribal Warfare” to get a discounted room at 65€ per person.

Tickets will be available in the gym from this Tuesday 18th September, 2007 onwards.

- My opponents included 6th Dans, 5th Dans, 4 th Dans, 3rd Dans, the East German Knockdown Team, former champions, current champions and I am proud to say my own students.
- Each round was 1m 30sec with about 10-15 seconds to change opponent.
- At times I gave up m ore than 40 kilos.
- There were times I wanted to quit but Shihan Eric made me believe I could succeed. He NEVER failed me. He stayed at my side.
- Many times I couldn ‘t breathe. My lungs failed me. But Shihan Lionel Bricnet (6. Dan) NEVER failed me. He fought me and he guided me.
- During the twenty-seventh fight; I saw Lynn Peene screaming in pain – yet she continued!!! She succeeded in fighting her 30 man !!!
- SEEING LYNN SUCCEED IS THE REASON I SUCCEEDED THE FIFTY MAN KUMITE.
- Lynn is the PERFECT example of Kokoro. I am DWARFED by her skill, her heart and her dedication.
- During my last fight, number 50; I was not able to counter with strikes and I simply accepted the attacks. My body could not continue.
- During my last fight, number 50; I was knocked down three times and stood up each time in less than 1 second. My mind refused to stay down.
- I survived, I’m alive and I’m happy.
- The 50 man is usually a test for 4 th Dans.
- I completed this test as a Shodan with just one week’s notice – but I’m glad I did it.
- I did it with the support of my wife.
- I did it with the support of my Budo family.
- I did it with the support of my teachers.
- I did it with the support of my students.
- I did it because “without Kokoro, Budo is an empty shell”.

As a result;

- I’ve now achieved something that I’ve been dreaming about since I was 14 years old.
- Kaicho Bluming (10. Dan) decided to promote me to Nidan (2nd Dan) in Kyokushin and All Round Fighting.
- Shihan Eric Van Vaerenbergh (6. Dan) decided to promote me to Nidan (2nd Dan) in Ronin All Round Karate.
- Shihan Lionel Bricnet (6. Dan) of the World Sei Budokai decided to promote me to San Dan (3rd Dan Sensei) of the World Sei Budokai

Great fun… I’m bruised (see photo of my blocking arm) but happy! ))))
Thank you for supporting me.
OSU & Always with Respect,
Shane.

One Year Ago;

Doctor: ” Shane, you have a condition called Atopy. Your respiratory system is genetically dysfunctional. I’m sorry but this cannot be cured “.

Shane: “What can I do about this? I run out of breath when I lift my daughter into my arms!”

Doctor: “Nothing. If you have this condition, it always wins in the end. These drugs will help your breathing a little. ”

I was devastated.

Two Days Later;

Shane: “Shihan, the doctor says I cannot fight or train. Please give me the 30 man kumite.”

Shihan Eric: “No. It will kill you. Train… lose 20 kilos … and come back.”

Shane: “I can ‘t believe this is happening to me.”

Shihan Eric: “You already have the skill for 50 men but your body will break, you cannot survive three men . Learn to breath again – come back in one year.”

I was imprisoned.

Two Weeks Ago (one week before Kumite) ;

SMS from Shihan Eric: ” 50 man kumite in Croatia?”

SMS response from Shane: “Kokoro. Always ready to fight.”

I was frightened.

1 Minute before the Kumite (26 th August, 2007);

Semmy Schilt; ” You are Shodan! Why are you fighting 50 man kumite? It’s not necessary for Shodan! ”

Shane; ” I am doing it for me.”

I was free