John Kavanagh
Introduction
John Raymond Kavanagh (born January 18, 1977) is an Irish martial arts coach, brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner and former professional mixed martial artist. His students include fighters such as Conor McGregor and Gunnar Nelson.
Background
He is the founder and head coach of Irish MMA gym Straight Blast Gym Ireland and the current president of the Irish Mixed Martial Arts Association. Kavanagh was inspired to take up mixed martial arts after watching footage of the UFC tournament in 1993. A pioneer of MMA in Ireland, he competed in some of the earliest local circuit MMA events in Ireland and the UK and is the first Irish man to receive a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Kavanagh was welcomed into the Straight Blast Gym International association of gyms in 2001 by SBGi founder Matt Thornton.
Today, Kavanagh is known as one of the best MMA coaches in the world, being nominated for the World MMA Awards "Coach of the Year" in 2016, and winning it in 2017.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lineage
Matt Thornton « Chris Haueter « Rigan Machado « Carlos Gracie Jr. « Carlos Gracie Sr. « Mitsuyo Maeda
Awards
World MMA Awards - Coach of the Year 2017
Mixed Martial Arts Record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 6 matches | 3 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 0 | 1 |
| By submission | 3 | 1 |
| By decision | 0 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 3-3 | Robbie Oliver | Submission (armbar) | UZI 2: Combat Evolution | 000000002003-03-08-0000March 8, 2003 | 1 | 2:26 | Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom | |
| Loss | 2-3 | Danny Batten | Submission (keylock) | UZI 1: Cage Combat Evolution | 000000002002-11-30-0000November 30, 2002 | 2 | N/A | Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom | |
| Loss | 2-2 | Leigh Remedios | Decision (unanimous) | UC 1: Utlimate Combat 1 | 000000002002-03-10-0000March 10, 2002 | 3 | 5:00 | Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom | |
| Win | 2-1 | Tamel Hasar | Submission (rear naked choke) | Cage Wars 1 | 000000002002-02-23-0000February 23, 2002 | 1 | N/A | Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom | |
| Loss | 1-1 | Bobby Karagiannidis | KO (punches) | Pride and Honor: Pride and Honor | 000000002001-11-24-0000November 24, 2001 | 1 | N/A | South Africa | |
| Win | 1-0 | Leighton Hill | Submission (triangle choke) | Grapple & Strike 1 | 000000002000-05-29-0000May 29, 2000 | 1 | 0:55 | Worcester, England, United Kingdom |