Instructors

John Kavanagh

Coaches BJJ and Fight Team – 2nd Degree Black Belt Instructor

Fight.ie Coach of the Year 2011

John has trained in BJJ since 1996. The first person to really bring proper BJJ into Ireland, John has made a name for himself as a competitor winning gold at the European Championships 2006 and is a world-class coach. As Ireland's first and currently only Black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu he was the first Irish MMA sportsman to compete in Cage Fighting.

He has had a number of Dublin based gyms/premises in the past 8 years and each time he moves the gym gathers more members and more space! John has a varied martial arts background including Kick Boxing and starting with Karate as a 5 yr old but Brazilian Jiu Jitsu caught his attention while watching UFC and his love of the sport grew as he trained. In 2001 while fighting in Africa John met Matt Thorton of SBGi and a firm friendship and business partnership began. The training ethos of SBG really impressed John and the message that athletes and non-athletes could train side by side is one he continues to promote. "SBGi is about people, and our goal is to offer the cutting edge in self defense, combat athletics, fitness, and personal growth, to every type of human body that walks through our door. Not just 22 Year old Athletes (although they will certainly find their niche here as well), but to professionals who have to work 45 hour weeks. To women of all ages. To older people, looking to get into shape, have fun, and learn self defense. To children of all ages who can learn the Arts in a positive atmosphere of friendship and fun. SBGi is for every-body."

John has coached, cornered and trained with many great names of MMA and BJJ – the fight team under John right now has had some really impressive results….. Chris The Killing Fields A/B Class, Cathal The Punisher Pendred A/B Class, Clive The Badman Staunton A Class, Arni Isaksson A Class, Gunnar Nelson A Class, Tom Maguire A Class, Alan Duffy B Class, Philip Mulpeter B Class, Conor McGregor A/B Class, Kieran Cooke C Class, James Heelan C Class, John Marrey C Class, Luke Corcoran C Class, Artem Lobov C Class, Rowdy Owen Roddy A Class, Liam Heffernon C Class, Patrick The Hooligan Holohan B Class, Keith Coady B Class, Rob The Dog Quinn A Class, Ais The Bash Daly A Class.

Many greats of MMA have passed through the SBG doors; BJ Penn, Shaolin, Chris Brennan, Ryan Hall, Minotauro, Saulo Riberio, Xande Riberio, Rory Singer, Ed Herman, Jeff Monson, Ian Freeman, Leigh Remedios, Ian Butlin, Ricardo Liborio, Shane Rice, Thomas Egan to name a few!

"Anyone that has rolled with John knows that his own personal BJJ game is phenomenal. He is a world-class BJJ athlete, and his skill at the fundamentals of each position in BJJ, are top notch. In the dozen years or so I have had to Coach BJJ athletes I have yet to work with anyone that matched John's level of technical finesse." Matt Thornton, SBGi President

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Aisling Daly – Ais the Bash Daly

Coach

Ais began training in Karate at 10 years old and after some years training she began experimenting in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and received her Blue Belt from Matt Thorton in SBG in 2006.  Ais then turned her focus to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and began training in Thai Boxing.  Her MMA coach John Kavanagh has been instrumental in adapting her skills to MMA and is a major part of her success.

Owen Roddy – Owen Rowdy Roddy

Coaches Muay Thai, BJJ, Kids & Teens Club

Owens Muay Thai classes are on three times a week.  There are many benefits to training in Thai Boxing aside from the obvious self-defence application; you will notice an increase in physical strength, coordination, and stamina develop. You will also notice improvements in your determination, patience, and self-control.  The training speeds up the body's metabolism and burns off fat. Eventually, you will notice a decrease in fat, an increase in muscle, and an overall improved sense of well being.

• Sherdog Rankings
  
• MMA Rankings No.5 Europe No.1 Ireland
• Owen has much experience both in the ring and coaching.
• His kids and teens classes are an excellent way for your
• child to improve his/her fitness and self confidence and discipline. 

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Sergey Pikulskiy

Coaches our Wednesday's wrestling class suitable for all skill levels.

Wrestling will increase your grappling game and is essential in MMA! Originally from Moldova Sergey trained with the national team of Moldova for 7 years and so brings with him years of experience.

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Conor McGregor

Coaches Boxing 

Conor is an MMA fighter (stats here) he is also a phenomenal coach who brings such enthusiasm and energy to his classes which ensure you come back for more!  

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Keith Coady here I coach the Thursday boxing class 7-8pm, this class includes a quick warm up, some shadow boxing and technique, then usually pair up and do some combinations and live drills, with some fitness and abs for 10 minutes to finish up.  My class is an easy and fun way to learn some boxing skills and get fit also.

This class is part of Combat Gold Program

Hey I’m coach Paddy Holohan I coach the intermediate Jiu Jitsu Tuesday at 6-7pm.  I’m a purple belt and a pro fighter currently holding the Chaos Bantam Weight Title.  I attended the class I am now coaching when I started 4 years ago so I know what it means to be part of a fun class.  A cool welcoming vibe is what’s to be expected of my classes.

This class is part of Combat Gold Program

Hi, I'm Brian and I coach the Beginner Striking class on Tuesdays. In this class we cover the foundations of striking and the high percentage techniques that are essential for beginners starting MMA.

This class is part of Combat Silver Program

Dr. Jamie “Jim” McInerney

Jamie McInerney is a BJJ Blue Belt who began training in UCD in 2002 during an Undergraduate Degree. He received his Blue Belt in 2005 just before taking a 2 year break from BJJ to finish his studies. He returned to SBG in 2007 20kg heavier and by September he was back at his competition weight capping off 2007 by competing in the Fila World Grappling Games. At this time he took over as head coach of the UCD MMA club and remained in that position until summer 2010 despite taking another break from his own training to complete his Doctoral Degree. Jamie has since returned to training in late 2011 and is focused on once again hitting the competition circuit at home and abroad.

Jamie’s classes are entirely focused on the fundamentals of BJJ. The class begins with some mobility drills and a warm up. Each student on their first day sets their own baseline (e.g. 10 sit-ups) and the idea is that every week you try to beat yourself, this specifically allows each student to follow their own progression from week to week in regards to fitness. The class then moves into the current weekly topic. The topic is first introduced as a problem and then students pair off to work on the problem. As the class continues the students are shown the correct postures, pressures and specific techniques to allow them to solve the problem. By the end of the class the students have developed a base foundation for that topic as well as getting a workout. A Q&A session is then followed by a stretching routine. Jamie can then be found at the end of the mat chatting with his students and will always have time to answer your questions as best he can.

This class is part of Combat Silver Program

My name is Alan Duffy and I coach the Wednesday night 6-7pm striking intro. This alternates between boxing one week and Muay Thai the next. These are low impact classes that focus on the most fundamental striking techniques. There is no fear of being overwhelmed by intricate, fancy, over the top sequences. In this class we keep it simple and give you a solid foundation of the stuff that works!

This class is part of Combat Silver Program

Chris “the Killing” Fields

For anyone interested in taking my class it's on Friday 7-8.30pm in Longmile Road. It's an intermediate and advanced mixed class so I recommend you have at least completed the beginner’s course (Combat Silver) and feel pretty comfortable on the ground. It's a competitive class that’s aimed at preparing people for domination at the MMA league.

This class is part of Combat Gold Program

My name is Artem Lobov and I teach Thai boxing on Wednesdays from 7-8:30pm
The class begins with a warm up, which includes shadow boxing, dynamic stretch and other warm up exercises. Then we move on to technique explanation and drilling. Then the main part of the class begins which is sparring (10x3min rounds with 1min breaks). Sparring is followed by a strength and conditioning circuit. The class ends with a 5 min post workout stretch.

This class is part of Combat Gold Program

I'm Joey Breslin, I'm a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, I teach an introduction class on Thursdays at 7 o'clock, and in this class we cover the fundamentals of BJJ, Posture, positioning, defence, escapes and the attacks that make Jiu Jitsu the most effective grappling system!

This class is part of Combat Silver Program