Q & A session with Joe Duffy & Rob Tynan
Q & A session with Joe Duffy (Mixed Martial Arts Superstar) & Rob Tynan of Fitness Adventure Travel.
Rob Tynan writes: In my personal opinion, Joe Duffy has never been beaten. On his record, it says one defeat. However, he broke his hand in the first round of this fight so Joe had no option but to give way. His fight history is impressive and he is recognized by all as a talent on the rise to the top. Joe has been practising martial arts from an early age; he had his first pro MMA fight at age 20, then debuted as a professional boxer in March 2013, but has now decided to return to MMA, his first love.
Rob: Joe, give us a run through your martial arts training.
Joe: I began martial arts training at the age of 5. As a child, I was always interested in martial arts movies and that’s what got me started. Through the years, I went on to study various martial arts: Taekwon-do, Jiu Jitsu, and kickboxing. As a result of this, MMA was a natural progression for me and it’s now what I do on a full time basis.
Most of my training used to be cardio based with the likes of circuits, pad work, running and sparring. Now that I’m competing at a higher level, I also supplement this with a strength and conditioning program. This program consists mainly of compound lifts such as deadlifts, power leans, overhead press and straight leg deadlifts. I also do a lot of chins with various grips and rotations using the barbell. I feel a great benefit in my muscle recovery whilst wrestling from doing these types of exercises.
Training for me is a massive part of my life. Even if I wasn’t competing, I feel I would still lead a healthy lifestyle in both diet and exercise.
Rob: What’s your diet like? Give us a sample meal… Do you consume a lot of complex carbs due to the mass calorie burn of your intense training?
Joe: One of my favourites in chicken and quinoa salad! I do try to consume a lot of complex carbs to keep my energy levels steady throughout my training week.
Rob: How many hours do you train a day/week?
Joe: It varies from day to day but on average I would say 4 hours each day 6 days per week.
Rob: What’s the area of your game where you feel strongest?
Joe: At the minute I feel my striking is probably the strongest area due to the amount I’ve concentrated on it over the last couple of years. But I’ve always prided myself on being a well rounded fighter.
Rob: You are fighting in Cage Warriors (www.cagewarriors.com) on the 15th of November; it’s your second fight back as an MMA pro. Do you feel this one will lift your status in the ranking back where you were before you turned pro boxing?
Joe: I think it’s hard to compare then and now due to the amount of talent that is in the LW [lightweight] division of Cage Warrior’s roster today, but I think a good win over Julian [Julian ‘Nitrane’ Lane] definitely throws me up in the mix.
Rob: You have had an impressive variety in your martial arts career so far, Taekwon-do and Jiu Jitsu ,then as a pro boxer; do you now feel you are a more rounded athlete?
Joe: Without a doubt! I was always confident in my overall game but now I just feel it’s moved on to another level in each area, and I believe over the next couple of years we are going to see the most improvements.
Rob: Switching back to MMA – do you once again feel as comfortable in the octagon as before you turned pro boxing?
Joe: I wouldn’t say in that first fight I was 100% as comfortable as I have been, but I believe I’m starting to get back to where I was with all aspects and I believe that will be more apparent in the next fight.
I love the movement of Martial arts and the challenges different disciplines bring.
Rob: What would you say to a person aspiring to follow in your footsteps?
Joe: Give it 100% and don’t look back: it’s worth it!
Although ferocious in the octagon, Joe is possibly one of the most relaxed and pleasant humans you are ever likely to meet. A Donegal native based in London, he fights at the Olympic Park on November 15th. Tickets available from www.cagewarriors.com
Support Joe Duffy on @Duffyboxing
