Get ready for Quarrel in the Quarry! - Kilkenny Live

Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre is gearing up to host the Republic of Ireland’s first open-air mixed martial arts event, as Premier MMA Colosseum makes its Kilkenny debut on Saturday, June 29.

The event, being held in association with Hackett’s Bar in Kilkenny City, will pit some of the best local fighters against some of the country’s fastest growing talent with the list of participants and fights growing by the week.

Liam ‘Diam Bar’ Delaney, Joey ‘Balla’ Brennan and Cale ‘B1’ Brennan are among the fighters taking part on the night, with anticipation high amongst MMA fans and new followers of the sport alike.

The occasion will also mark a significant piece of national history for the sport, with the staging only the country’s second-ever outdoor showing of Irish MMA at a venue organisers are calling ‘Ireland’s colosseum.’ The high-profile sporting occasion has been in the pipeline for the past number of months with MYALO Martial Arts and Fitness’ and respective local MMA fighter, Myles Price joined by promoter, Niall Sunderland and sponsor Tommy Hackett in putting the night together.

The public got their first opportunity to get a flavour of what the night has in store, as well as some drink and grub, at the official launch party held at Hackett’s premises on Saturday, May 25.

Over a dozen fighters, were greeted by a raucous atmosphere as those in attendance got to meet the people behind the fighters with information and craic had on the night.

Few have been more involved in making the upcoming spectacle happen other than local Lightweight fighter, and MYALO Head Coach, Myles Price who has been coaching the local fighters ahead of the showpiece event.

"A lot of energy has been built within the academy with the fighters, they’re all getting excited, all the friends and family are getting tickets now so it’s all going great, really looking forward to it," Price said.

"From my end, I’m very much on the floor doing a lot of training with the guys making sure they’re staying on top of their training regimes and getting them into the cage safely, he commented, adding, “it’s been easy because of all the work we (the organisers) have put in together."

Price, has a glittering MMA career in his own right, including a memorable high-profile win over Peter Queally at Bellator in 2019, but despite his own personal success, the Kilkenny man has taken these up and coming fighters to his heart.

"You don’t want to ever project your inner-athlete to your athletes, you want to make sure you learn from your setbacks and make sure you pass on that wisdom and knowledge to your athletes and I do the best I can," he explained.

"I always found it okay to be quite articulate (with new fighters) and to be creative and to help others. I naturally like helping other people. I would have said it’s 70-30 for being coach. I’m naturally more of a coach than I am an athlete to be honest," Price claimed.

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Promoter, Niall Sunderland has also been working hard behind the scenes arranging and promoting fights.

"I’ve ran enough events now to know the lead up to this one has created a real buzz in the air and it’s going to be electric on June 29," he remarked.

"The main thing is the uniqueness of the venue and I think that brings something different for everyone who is competing on the card. There’s just something special about the colosseum of Ireland."

The night is sure to bring fight fans from Kilkenny and beyond to the Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre venue, but according to Sunderland there’s no reason why non-traditional fans won’t get the same thrill from attending, with entertainment and a fun atmosphere in the crowd.

For ticket information, visit www.scopetickets.com.