Sinead Kavanagh’s incredible rise from mopping the gym floor to becoming a top MMA star is a story that truly inspires. In just ten years, she has gone from a struggling single mother to a respected fighter, sponsored by none other than Conor McGregor himself.
A Chance Encounter at Straight Blast Gym
It all started when Kavanagh walked into Dublin’s renowned Straight Blast Gym at the age of 28. Prior to that, she had a successful amateur boxing career, sharing the ring with the likes of Katie Taylor, Natasha Jonas, and Savannah Marshall. However, a lack of financial support and opportunities left her struggling, especially after welcoming her son, Leon, into the world.
With nowhere else to turn, Kavanagh saw MMA as her last shot at making a living from fighting. However, she faced the challenge of persuading coach John Kavanagh, who had mentored McGregor, to let her train without charge.
She recalls, “I thought, ‘Right, I’m going to give this MMA a crack.’ It was the last crack at the whip, and yeah, it f***ing worked out! My mate spoke up for me and told John that I was good and asked if he could look after me. John agreed, even though I had no money to pay him. I was broke, homeless, and had just become a mother. But I scraped my money together just to take the bus to training, and that was a tough time.”
Rising Through the Ranks
Kavanagh’s determination and talent did not go unnoticed. She became yet another success story from Straight Blast Gym, following in the footsteps of McGregor. In 2021, she signed with Bellator and challenged for the featherweight title against the legendary Cris Cyborg, although she suffered defeat in that fight.
However, she quickly bounced back and is set to face Leah McCourt on March 22 in Belfast, whom she previously defeated in 2022. In their last fight, Kavanagh endured two leg tears in the opening round but fought on, showcasing her resilience and securing a hard-fought victory on points. McGregor, who was cageside, carried her out of the cage in a moment that has now become iconic.
The Support of John Kavanagh and Conor McGregor
Kavanagh credits coach John Kavanagh with providing her with the knowledge and skills she needs to succeed in MMA. She emphasizes, “I wouldn’t be where I am without John Kavanagh. He’s a mastermind at MMA and jiu-jitsu, and I take every bit of advice from him seriously.”
Meanwhile, McGregor has been a constant source of support, sponsoring Kavanagh and always being there for her. Speaking about McGregor’s role, she says, “He’s a big support for me to get through that. He carried me out of the cage and told me, ‘Your ACL is gone, you’ll be out for a bit.’ He’s been there for me throughout.”
A Dream Realized
For Kavanagh, her journey has been nothing short of a dream come true. From mopping the gym floor to fighting in some of the biggest arenas in the world and facing the best of the best, she has achieved her lifelong dream of making a living from fighting.
As she concludes, “It’s absolutely a dream sometimes how well I’ve done in this game.”
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