NEW IFL CHAMP RYAN McGIVERN TALKS TITLE WIN
Twice Miletich Martial Arts middleweight Ryan McGivern has been an underdog to Matt Horwich of Team Quest in an International Fight League bout, and twice McGivern has come away the victor.
But what made his second win over Horwich at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas so special, was the fact that now, because of his win, McGivern is the new IFL middleweight champion.
After years of hard work and being one of the most dependable fighters on the IFL’s roster since its inception in 2006, McGivern had never failed to miss a fight, and win or lose, he always brought his absolute best to the table.
When active duty in the military called up Horwich’s originally scheduled opponent, Tim Kennedy, McGivern was finally rewarded for his efforts, and after five grueling rounds, emerged victorious via unanimous decision.
“Going in there I knew it was going to be a battle and that’s what it exactly turned out to be,” he told MMAWeekly.com. “All I can remember is all the times he was punching and kicking me, and where I almost got my arm ripped off in the second round, and so when it was over I wasn’t really sure what the judges were going to say or which way it was going to go.
“After watching it, hearing the commentating and kind of seeing things from a different perspective, I’m pretty happy with the outcome. I’m happy with the judges’ decision.”
As McGivern points out, their earlier match-up really couldn’t predict the outcome of the second fight, even though McGivern won again, because both fighters have improved so much in their respective stand-up games.
“Matt’s getting more comfortable using his skills on his feet, with his punches and kicks,” he explained. “People say he’s very unorthodox, but he uses it to his advantage.
“Each fight that I’ve had I’ve gotten more and more comfortable on my feet, using my hands. I expected this fight to be more on the feet, and it was.”
After pulling off the unanimous decision victory and winning the IFL 185-pound title, one would think that McGivern let loose and lived it up, but not so says the humble Iowan.
“I think a lot of it hasn’t sunk in yet,” he said. “It is definitely extremely exciting to win the title, and the other stuff that goes with it, headlining or being a main event or what have you, but with every fight after this I’m going to keep the same mentality as far as just being ready for the next fight.
“I definitely realize and understand now that I have a target on my back, so it motivates me to push it that much harder and get past my comfort level.”
Now that he is the champion, McGivern was asked who he thinks the IFL will have him fight in his first title defense, to which Ryan replied, “As I’ve said I’m always kind of the fighter that’s out of the loop, so I’m not sure what’s going on.
“But if possibly the next fight would be (Tim) Kennedy that would be cool. I just want to make sure that I’m ready to go. Whoever it is across the way, all I can do is be as ready as I can be and go out and there and do what I’ve trained to do.”
Thus begins a new chapter in the career of Ryan McGivern. He’s won a title and now he has to defend it. And he assures fans that not only will he be up to the task, but the remainder of the Miletich Martial Arts fighters in the IFL will do so as well.
“I want to say a big thank you to Tapout, who were my main sponsors for this fight; and Cytosport Muscle Milk,” he finished. “As always a huge thanks to my teammates and coaches, my family and friends, and especially my wife, Susan.
“Tune in because there’s going to be some great fights. I know all the guys in our camp are working their butts off; they’re ready to throw some big hands and get in there and mix it up. I’m going to try to be in the best shape possible so I can go out there and go hard every time and put on an exciting fight.”
