While everyone and their grandmothers are well aware of SBG Ireland, its pinnacle fighter Conor McGregor, and its coach John Kavanagh. But SBG Ireland has more to offer than just McGregor and Kavanagh. SBG Ireland plays host to many great fighters, who continue to earn team points in the Gym Wars, such as Artem Lobov, Johnny Walker, and Gunnar Nelson. And what we want to focus on in particular are there up-and-coming great fighters coming out and developing from SBG Ireland.
SBG Ireland – Straight Blast Gym
Ilias Bulaid – 2-0
The undefeated Dutch-born Ilias Bulaid may only have two MMA fights to his name, he boasts far more kickboxing experience and accomplishments. Bulaid, training at SBG Ireland, has had two professional fights in Bellator’s featherweight division, and he won his first match via 1st round KO from a clinch knee.
Bulaid has an extensive background in kickboxing. This is especially notable given he is 26 years old as of now. When he was even younger he competed in the championship final at the K-1 World GP 2016 -65kg World Tournament. He was also the 2014 Enfusion World Champion and had Three defenses of this title. He holds a professional kickboxing record of 25 wins and only 6 losses.
He’s a young man with much experience and is highly skilled, and skills are growing with SBG Ireland. Crossing over from kickboxing to MMA can be a challenge however given his youth, the young Dutch Bulaid will be one to keep an eye on.
Mandy Böhm “Monster” – 7-0
The UFC’s newest Women’s Flyweight signing, Mandy Böhm, will be making her promotional debut against Taila Santos this August. Böhm is a German-born fighter and trains out of SBG Ireland. She is undefeated, finished 60% of her matches, and had one fight in Bellator.
In 2019 Böhm competed for the TKO Championship in which she won the title via third-round submission, rear-naked choke. In 2017 she competed in the King of The Beach no-gi grappling competition, in which she won gold.
No available betting odds currently for Böhm vs Santos, however, for more betting information please see online betting in CO.
Frans Mlambo “The Black Mamba/The Zulu Irishman” – 10-5
Frans Mlambo is a fighter who has much experience for only being 30 years of age. Born in South Africa originally and training now out of Dublin with SBG Ireland. Professionally he has a record of 10-5, but he also held an extensive amateur record of 9-2.
Mlambo “The Black Mamba” is a hungry fighter who is always hunting for the finish. 80% of his victories are by finish. Most recently, in May of 2021, he won his match via guillotine in only 1:07 of round 1.
He says he is always training and in the gym and is always ready to fight. Mlambo is certainly one to keep your eye on. “I feel like now my game has come along now,” Mlambo said in an interview, “where I can finally put on some really good stuff and I look forward to doing that.”
Khurshed Kakhorov – 7-0
Undefeated Khurshed Kakhorov from Tajikistan is certainly a fighter who will need to add to your future champion list. He’s a featherweight who recently signed with Bellator. Most impressively, of Kakhorov’s 7 wins he has won 6 of them via KO/TKO.
Fighting out of SBG Ireland Kakhorov has exclusively fought in European promotions. Most recently he earned a championship title in the MMA organization European Fight Masters.
No word yet on when Kakhorov will be making his debut with Bellator. But with an undefeated record and an 86% finishing rate, the TKO king Kakhorov is one you must keep watching for.
SBG Ireland
SBG Ireland has a few other notable fighters who may already be on your radar such as; Peter Queally (13-5) who just defeated Patricky Pitbull in Bellator. Danni Neilan (3-0) is an undefeated strawweight who has a scheduled bout this July. Paweł Polityło (6-2) “The Polish Eagle” currently will be looking to extend his current win streak with his next fight at KSW 62 on July 17. His only two professional losses were split decisions to Antun Račić.
Coach Kavanagh led gym plays host to many great fighters. But SBG Ireland will continue to grow with its Dublin-based roster. The young up-and-coming fighters continue to gain skills learning from the more experienced and weathered fighters in the gym. SBG Ireland claims many Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts, and MMA Organizational champions, even kickboxing champions as well. Europe and the UK continue to have great organizations to host these fighters. MMA Sucka will be keeping a close eye on these potential future champions.
