Here’s my rundown of the NSC 2008 from my perspective, with videos included where available.

As I don’t train with that much intensity, I really entered more for the fun rather than in any serious capacity. However, after the whole thing, I think I let myself down mentally, and sold myself very short against my opponents. I think that even with a little bit more focus and a few more hours on the mats, I could take silver at the next tournament quite easily, and give first place a challenge.

Mark Curry, Queens University Belfast - This match I figured I’d just lose, I figured Mark would just be all over me. No disrespect to Mark, but I figured his top game would be a lot tighter. I bridged out of it with real ease, then foolishly was late on my triangle.

Padraic Merlihan, Three Castles MMA - I tried a flying armbar on Padraic for the craic, and missed terribly, but managed to put him into my guard and sweep. Padraic put me back in guard, I’ve no idea how, and I started passing again. Once more, for the craic, I tried a spinning kneebar from half guard. Padraic tapped quite early. I think he either has an injury or is very nervous about kneebars, because it felt like he didn’t challenge it enough. Unfortunately, the memory on the camera was full, so we didn’t get this on tape

Dylan Costigan, Three Castles MMA - This was just silly. I ran onto the mats, tried a single leg from too far out, and got guillotine choked with ease by Dylan. Silly, silly, silly. I’m glad there’s no video

Sebestaio Torres - This guy tore up the division with his sweeps and that out of no where triangle. I almost went for another flying sub, but he kept on the back foot and couldn’t get the jump. He tripped me with ease, but I managed to regain guard. I knew there was no point in trying to sub him from a loose guard, so I stood back up. When he busted out his judo throw I thought I had his back but for some reason, maybe he’d my leg trapped, I couldn’t get top. The way he set up his reverse triangle from turtle was just brilliant, I hadn’t a clue what was going on!!! He also tried to kimura my left arm but I tapped due to the strangulation.

Ciaran Maher - The grudge match! The major threat I had from Ciaran was him getting top, as he’s able to get North South on me quite easily, and his gaurd, as he’s quite flexible. I got double unders handily enough, but Ciaran was soaking wet. I made this point to the ref when we were being reset in the centre. I knew I wouldn’t get the Brabo choke on Ciaran but I figured I could hold him with it. He defended this, the ten finger guillotine, and the chicken wing quite well. The Batman then tried a triangle but I held onto his left leg to stop it going over, and stacked to defend the armbar.

After the reset, Ciaran’s guard was awkward, but didn’t threaten m. He made the mistake of lifting his hips a bit too high which gave me the pass. I worked hard to stop his single leg and really had to control his right elbow and move quickly to avoid his guard again. I found it hard in mount to get Ciaran’s elbows high enough to get a tight armbar, and for a brief second when he defended well, I considered a half scorpion submission, but thought the better of it.

From side control I’d good access to his arm, and Jim cornered me to the submission. It felt like forever before Ciaran tapped, even though it only looks like a second or two in the video.