Chris Fields - Team KF Coach & Irish MMA legend - From the Fightpals.ie Archive (December 2019)

This one was meant for a documentary that has since stalled due to Covid, so here it is in all its glory!

We discuss - upbringing, teen years, family life, martial arts career, The Ultimate Fighter, relationship with Tom King, coaching, Irish MMA events and more. See the chapters below for sections :)


00:00 Upbringing
02:36 Importance of support system growing up
03:22 Teen years
04:17 "Did you look up to your father before he passed away?"
05:00 Colins vs Eubanks at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork - September 9, 1995
07:15 Difference between boxing and kickboxing in 90s Ireland
08:15 Sporting events and training in 90s Ireland
11:20 Do young people fight as much these days? Growing up in Dublin now versus then
14:19 Physical presence versus social media presence - Image versus "want to fight"
17:30 Why we fight - The shift away from fighting for sustenance, survival
21:15 "Do you ever feel like you had to sacrifice anything to pursue martial arts?"
22:05 Partner Laura
23:15 Laura's role beyond their family
24:17 "Are you aware how much of an influence you have on your students?"
26:46 "Coach" versus "Instructor"
28:08 Coaching as a job
29:17 Realtionship with Team KF head BJJ coach Tom King before Team KF
32:15 Becoming a coach
36:59 Development of amateur scene in Ireland/NI - people following domestic circuit closer than larger promotions
37:30 MMA events in Ireland
41:10 Dealing with the media
43:21 Ian's Bellator/Barnsley comments
46:06 Passion for MMA versus running a business
47:20 Team KF ethos
51:40 "Prize fighting" versus "Professional athlete"
55:08 "Where do you want to be end of 2020?"
57:03 Emerging stars to watch from Team KF Martial Arts - Kamil Wincenciak
57:41 Emerging stars to watch from Team KF Martial Arts - Adam and Ryan Shelley
58:00 Emerging stars to watch from Team KF Martial Arts - Taka Mhandu
58:10 Emerging stars to watch from Team KF Martial Arts - Ben Hughes





Recorded Christmas 2019

Produced by Amy Kelly
Additional Footage of Ben Hughes at Clan Wars 37 by Rory Maguire Visuals



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