John Kavanagh

John Kavanagh (born 18 January 1978) is an Irish martial arts coach, Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner and former professional mixed martial artist. His students include fighters such as Conor McGregor, Makwan Amirkhani, and Gunnar Nelson.

Background He is the founder and head coach of Irish MMA gym Straight Blast Gym Ireland in Inchicore. He is the current president of the Irish Mixed Martial Arts Association. Kavanagh was inspired to take up mixed martial arts after watching footage of the UFC tournament in 1993. A pioneer of MMA in Ireland, he competed in some of the earliest local circuit MMA events in Ireland and the UK and is the first Irish man to receive a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Today, Kavanagh is known as one of the best MMA coaches in the world, being nominated for the World MMA Awards "Coach of the Year" in 2016, and winning it in 2017.

Kavanagh is also the promoter of a mixed martial arts organization Euro Fight Night which held their inaugural event in October 2019.

John Kavanagh is the current president of the Irish Amateur MMA Organisation, IMMMA.

Awards and achievements World MMA Awards 2017 The Shawn Tompkins Coach of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Win

Robbie Oliver Submission (armbar) UZI 2: Combat Evolution 8 March 2003

Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom Loss

Danny Batten Submission (keylock) UZI 1: Cage Combat Evolution 30 November 2002

Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom Loss

Leigh Remedios Decision (unanimous) UC 1: Ultimate Combat 1 10 March 2002

Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom Win

Tamel Hasar Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Wars 1 23 February 2002

Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom Loss

Bobby Karagiannidis KO (punches) Pride and Honor: Pride and Honor 24 November 2001

South Africa Win

Leighton Hill Submission (triangle choke) Grapple & Strike 1 29 May 2000

Worcester, England, United Kingdom Instructor lineage

Kanō Jigorō → Tomita Tsunejirō → Mitsuyo "Count Koma" Maeda → Hélio Gracie → Rolls Gracie & Carlos "Carlinhos" Gracie Jr → Rigan Machado → Chris Haueter → Matt Thornton → John Kavanagh