Goulburn martial arts practitioner Joel Downey-Cave is determined to progress his professional fighting career by moving to Ireland, where some of the world’s best in mixed martial arts (MMA) live and train.
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Downey-Cave is no stranger to Dublin, having twice spent time there – first, for a month; then, three months – living and training with UFC professional Conor McGregor.
McGregor is the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight champion and he runs a gym in Dublin. Downey-Cave will be staying initially with the Irish champion, and this time his move to Dublin is open-ended.
“I have given myself three years. After that time, visas become more complex,” Downey-Cave said. “This is the biggest decision of my life, it is one I have thought long and hard about and I am confident it is the right one.
“With six years’ training and two and a half-year’s experience competing in MMA, I have decided to take my next step as a professional fighter. Ireland is the hot spot for UFC at the moment and I want to be a shark in the tank.”
Downey-Cave started in taekwondo and along the journey has trained and competed in Brazilian jiu jitsu, wrestling, boxing and muay Thai.
“I know how to present myself as a professional, from making the walk and doing the weigh-in every weekend to stepping into the octagon ring,” he said. “I know the risk and I am prepared for whatever happens. I could be killed or I could kill another fighter. I have to be in top physical and mental condition to step into the octagon.”
He will pick up casual hospitality work to support himself, having “learned to live frugally”.
He thanked Craig Harmer, the Goulburn Martial Arts Academy, and Delly’s Plumbing, “a great help on my MMA journey” and “Most importantly, my family, who have supported and understood my decision”.