4-0 “Clean Sweep” for Kokoro MMA Dublin at Chaos Fighting Champsionships
With four fights on the card at Chaos Fighting Championships in Derry last night; we were are all looking forward to Kokoro MMA Team’s debut outing. Junior Charles, Leo Burdock, Will Burdock and Neno Platisa didn’t disappoint…
The lads were up against opponents from respected gyms throughout Ireland. Kyoujin, Donegal Jiu Jitsu and Longtower Judo lined up solid opponents; strikers, jiu jistu champions and all rounders. In the end they were unable to hold fast against the Kokoro MMA Team who’s time, effort, heart, mind and spirit paid dividends on the night.
A special thank you to Cathal Pendred for working the corner with me throughout the night and assisting Junior in preping for the fight. It’s only a matter of time before we see Cathal in the ring himself.
Thanks also to Colin, Barry, Wes, Denise and Jenny for assisting with everything from camera work to pad work. Biggest thanks of course to Junior, Leo, Will and Neno showing what Kokoro is all about… …Heart, Mind & Spirit. And after last night.. …style!
RESULTS:
Semi Pro Middleweight (@82kg compromise)
Neno Platisa (Kokoro) Vs Peter O loughlin (KYOUJIN)
Neno Platisa, RD1*, Key Lock
Peter came out swinging with some big and dangerous punches. Neno did a great job of circling out of danger, returning the compliment and bringing Peter to the ground. Neno took advantage of being in Peter’s guard and stood to rain down blows a la Fedor. Thouroughly entertaining.
During their next ground encounter, Peter locked on a chicken wing that had Neno in trouble but Neno has drilled this over and over and was prepared. He locked tight, picked his moment and reversed out of the lock. Peter was waiting however, and found himself on top but in Neno’s guard. Neno pulled off a reverse key lock from his back. Quick and slick leaving the crowd and his opponent’s corner wondering what had caused Peter to tap. Neno Platisa has now made his mark in Irish MMA and he’s here to stay!
Semi Pro Middleweight
Stephen Nolan (KYOUJIN) Vs Will Burdock (Kokoro)
Will Burdock, RD1*, Guillotine
Will came out with a front kick in the first 5 seconds of the match that was so well timed and so powerful that it launched Stephen across the ring and almost knock him out, leaving him with little energy to defend a strong guillotine from Will. Classy. I’ve never seen a front kick like it and Will is stronger than the average ox. This was over quickly. Wow!
Semi Pro Featherweight
Chris Mc Kendrick (Long Tower) Vs Leo Burdock (Kokoro)
Leo Burdock, RD1*, Standing Guillotine
Strategy pays. Leo had drilled over and over to wear down his opponent with boxing and look for the guillotine. Chris came out swinging and looked dangerous but Leo out boxed him and stalked Chris around the ring. Chris did the right thing and looked to take Leo down to avoid the blows. Leo’s no slouch on the ground and was prepared for this; we were back on our feet and from there it went according to Leo’s playbook; wear him down, guillotine on his feet. Heart, Mind, Spirit. Congratulations Leo!
Amateur Heavyweight
Eugene Mcrossan (Donegal Jiu-Jitsu) Vs Junior Charlie (Kokoro)
Junior Charles, 2×5, Unanimous Decision
With just four or five months of training behind him, we can’t tell you how proud we are of Junior’s performance. Eugene McCrossan is a Jiu Jitsu brown belt and World Champion with many, many years of experience. Juniors clinch work however was text book and Eugene was unable to progress the bout as he would have liked. Junior worked the clinch and dropped heavy blows to Eugene’s ribs. Eugene was TOUGH but Junior worked his clinch game like a pro and brought Eugene down repeatedly. Eugene almost pulled off an armbar early on (nicely slipped in too!) but Junior reversed it - calm, cool and collected - taking side control. In the end Eugene was unable to find an answer for Juniors dominating top game (pin, position and pound).
As proud as we are of Junior; we have to thank Eugene. Eugene McCrossan is a class act and a true gentleman and competitor. We need more people like Eugene in MMA. Contratulations Junior on a big first outing and a great win! Thanks to Eugene for giving Junior the opportunity to compete in such a tough and technical first outing!
Four great fights, four classy wins. A proud day for Kokoro. Congratulations Gentlemen!!! Thanks to Jason for putting on a quality show with excellent production values. We hope that Kokoro will be invited to the next one!
*Times will be confirmed when I’ve had a chance to review the video.
26 Comments
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Firstly, thank you Shane so much for putting in so much time in with us, for getting the dojo up and running and for being with us every step of the way. I think I speak for all of us when I say you were in the ring with each of us when we fought. Secondly, thank you to everyone who came up to support and help us prepare, something I hope to reciprocate 110% when the time come. lastly thank you to everyone at Chaos Fighting Championships for looking after everyone and putting on a great show, I know as a promotion it will go from strength to strength due to it’s already well deserved reputation. Once again, thanks everyone for getting myself and my teammates to where they are, I know I could not have done it without you all. Here’s to more success and growth at Kokoro!
OSU!!
Well done to the lads, a fantastic night with 4 wins, here’s to many more!
Denise
i just whant to say a big THANK YOU to everybody who helped to all of us in preparations for this fights…..
neno
well done last nite lads,4 great performances,definetly worth the long trip up to derry…ye had people in the crowd asking us questions about kokoro
The four lads were brilliant - it was a pleasure and an honour to see them fight like that. Congratulations to all the guys and to Shane. Still can’t get over Will’s front kick…
Colin
Thanks shane, and everyone else that helped us get ready, warm up and prepare for the fight, to leo, neno and junior, for putting on a great show, it was the best one i’ve been at, and a special thanks to “GOD” for talking to leo during his fight and telling him to punish the other guy
excellent show by all 4 fighters… well worth the journey up to Derry. some of the best and most technical fights ive seen in a long time.
Fergal
Guys this is absolutely amazing, congratulations
You’ve really done the club proud.
Hey guys sorry I couldn’t be in attendance but congratulations on all your success! Way to represent the club.
Thanks to everyone in the club for your encouragement and kind words and especially to all those who traveled up to Derry and supported us…that was awesome!
I must send out a massive thank you to Cathal for training with me and helping me get ready for my debut…i cant wait to return the favour and see you in the ring! Also a special mention goes out to my opponent Eugene McCrossan for being such a tough and great competitor but more importantly a gentlemen after our fight….much respect to you!
Again thanks to everyone in the club for all your encouragement and help
OSU! Jnr
Guys I was delighted texted me the news on saturday night. Sorry I could not be there. Well done again to all of ye!
congrats to everyone, you guys put on a great show,looked focused and well prepared, its a huge pleasure being part of the club. also leo was just nominated for for an oscar for best post fight interview!
OSU!
I’m looking forward to getting my mitts on the DVD. That interview must be broadcast to the world… the world I tell you..!!!
great fights guys many many congratulations.
Hopefully I’ll get to see you all in the arena again soon.
Peter Lavery
Kyoujin mma
Belfast
Looks like your commitment to not fighting in favor of coaching is paying dividends Shane! Nice work the Kokoro boys!
Peter,
Thank you for your help and commitment to the progression of the sport and our club.
Your willingness to work with us and engage with us, in and out of the ring, has been there from the day Kokoro opened its doors.
Thank you my friend.
Always with Respect,
Shane.
Thanks for your support Mark. I could get used to this shouting from the ringside and not getting punched in the face lark!
Well done lads! I’m especially impressed with Junior. Great coaching Shane, keep it up lads!
Guys John and myself thank all of you for taking the trip to derry and for entertaining the crowd with slick performances from all.
Didn’t see all the fights from start to finish and look forward to seeing the DVD which we will hopefully have in at start of new year.
Next show is due for april so keep up the hard training!
Hey Guys,
I know I’ve only just joined but, the professional manner, dedication, support and loyalty I’ve seen so far is awesome and totally inspiring. Its traits like these that make me realise I made the right choice in joining Kokoro. Keep it up!
And of course most importantly CONGRATS BOYS!!!
Exellent work guys,that looked like a great day in the ring for Kokoro…
Shane you are doing a great job,as always,would love to still be training with you guys…
Congrats Kokoro
Osu
Lawrence
You’re sorely missed around here man. But at least you get to live somewhere warm! Oz is lucky to have you mate.
hey just wanted to add in another comment, good job guys on the tourney..sorry i coudnt make it, and also im moving back to the the US on the 12th dec so i just wanted to say to all of you, keep working hard and never give up, it was alot of fun fighting will all you for the past 3 months… and thank you shane for helping me out!!!, so keep training like Spartans!! Good luck, Tom
Good Luck yourself Tom! Was a pleasure. Good luck back home!
All the best Tom …. was great meeting and training with you. Enjoy your Xmas and have a safe journey home Jnr
Best of luck Tom - was a pleasure training with you. Have a good Christmas, and keep in touch if you can mate.