Andy Murphy’s trip to Newcastle this weekend could be billed as a fight 18 months in the making.
The Tinryland native makes his return to professional MMA this Saturday night, his last outing coming at BAMMA 28 in February 2017.
Murphy (1-1), was due to fight on the BAMMA 30 card in July of last year when injury hit. Since then, it’s been a long road back for The Carlow Kid.
While his professional career may not have started the way it was originally imagined, it’s been anything but quiet.
Continuing to train on a daily basis, Murphy opened the first professional mixed martial arts facility in New Ross earlier this year – Team Ryano Wexford. Affiliated to one of Ireland’s top pro teams, Murphy counts Kilkenny’s own ‘Magic’ Myles Price, Mick Brennan and former UFC veteran Paul ‘Redser’ Redmond among his teammates.
When Price made his return to professional MMA this past May after two years away, he returned with a win over SBG’s Phil Raeburn.
Ready for Battle
When he steps into the cage on Saturday night in Newcastle, it will be under the MTK MMA banner for that promotion’s latest event.
Originally slated to fight hometown boy Joe Calboutin, then an alternative Lithuanian opponent in Alexander Bilobrovka, Murphy will now face Bailey Gilbert (1-2) in a featherweight (145lb) bout. Having turned pro last November, Gilbert picked up his first pro win against Luke Benjamin with a first round submission in just 23 seconds this past March. He was in action again in early just at M4TC 27, dropping a unanimous decision loss to Cameron Hardy.
While Murphy hasn’t been active in the cage, every day is a training day. Speaking about his training heading into Newcastle, Murphy said “I don’t do camps. It’s a constant lifestyle that I am thoroughly loving. I am ready for battle.”
Murphy and Gilbert meet at The Park Hotel, Grand Parade, Tynemouth, Newcastle this Saturday. The fight card will be streamed live via IFL TV on YouTube.
Ready for BAMMA
Regardless of the result in Newcastle, the future is already looking brighter still for The Carlow Kid.
UK promotion BAMMA recently announced the signing of a wealth of Irish talent on multi-fight deals with Murphy included. Having made his pro debut for BAMMA in late 2016, and picking up his first professional win under the same banner in February 2017, he’s delighted to be returning.
“I’m excited to announce I have signed with BAMMA alongside a number of my Ryano teammates”, said Murphy earlier in the week.
“As an amateur it was a goal of mine to get the opportunity to perform on this platform. I have had great experiences fighting with BAMMA and I am excited for what’s to come.”
BAMMA’s next confirmed Irish card is Sunday 9 December.