Coach John Kavanagh: Fighters must undergo brain scans if they want to represent SBG Ireland

SBG Irealnd head coach John Kavanagh is taking matter into his own hand when it comes to fighter’s safety.

Famed Straight Blast Gym Ireland head coach John Kavanagh is putting the safety of his fighters above all else in 2017.

Kavanagh, whose pupils include UFC champion Conor McGregor as well as UFC standouts Gunnar Nelson, Pady Holohan, Aisling Daly, Cathal Pendred and Artem Lobov, took to Facebook to announce he will require all of his fighters undergo a mandatory brain scan if they want want to represent the SBG Ireland gym in 2017.

“For 2017 ALL SBG fighters, both Amateur and Professional will be getting a one off brain scan to make sure there’s no underlying issues that would preclude them from competing,” wrote Kavanagh. “It is not yet a requirement to get this done to compete on shows but it will be a requirement to represent SBG.

“Take 100 random people and scan them and a small percentage will have an issue that would stop them competing. This is not from training in MMA, or any other sport but could be genetic or from some illness when young. Either way we’re lucky in Ireland that SAFE MMA Ireland have secured scans for just €150 to give athletes peace of mind they are clear for training/competing.
I would strongly advise all Irish based fighters, Pro or Am to take advantage of this great offer.”

Kavanagh also directed readers, specifically amateur fighters, to the cite SafeMMA Ireland to learn more surrounding the MRI brain scans.

His star pupil, McGregor (21-3), the reigning UFC lightweight champion, recently made history after earning his second UFC title with a second round TKO over former lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in November. However, his historic two title run came to an end just two weeks later when the UFC announced McGregor had relinquished his 145-pound title.