Steve Owens is no stranger to the cocktail of emotions that is stirred in those nerve-wracking moments before a fight.
Having enjoyed tremendous success with K-1 competition, the Derry youngster knows how to fight but he will do so under a different set of rules this weekend when he makes his professional mixed martial arts debut.
Owens headlines the inaugural Real Fighting Championship card this Saturday, which takes place at Derry’s Foyle Arena, and the significance of the occasion is not lost on the SBG standout.
“I’ve had a few K-1 fights, won all of them by knockout and even took home a professional European title,” the 23-year-old said.
“Saturday is different and I suppose you could call it the most important night of my life because it will be my professional MMA debut and it comes in one of the biggest shows ever to take place in my home county.
“It’s the first Real Fighting Championship event and was put together by three separate promoters, all from different backgrounds, whose shared aim is to provide a solid platform for young Irish talent.
“Obviously there’s been an explosion of interest in MMA on these shores thanks to the likes of Conor McGregor and the work he’s doing but it doesn’t end with him. There are a lot of talented young fighters breaking through and it’s important that they get the chance to develop and put a bit of a run together on the domestic circuit so that they’re ready if one of the bigger organisations come calling.”
Tasked with preparing Owens for his first foray into the world of pro-MMA was John Kavanagh, head coach of SBG, and one of the most respected authorities on the sport, having laid the foundations for modern MMA in Ireland.
“I came from Derry, which is obviously a lot smaller than Dublin, and you don’t really have the wealth of knowledge that John possesses up there,” Owens explained.
“I was training for years in Derry but when I decided that this was something I wanted to pursue and when I got serious about fighting, I knew I had to join SBG.
“That move came at Christmas and John welcomed me with open arms.”
Owens, a lightweight, is not the first fighter to gush about Kavanagh’s impact on his life and he won’t be the last as the man most famous for walking alongside ‘The Notorious’ to the Octagon is renowned for the unprecedentedly hands-on approach he employs when working with his students.
“John has been absolutely fantastic,” Owens continued.
“Obviously I came in from a K-1 background but John has taken me under his wing and done everything possible to work on all areas of my game.
“The way he breaks things down, it’s so fascinating and comforting because you know you’re in safe hands.
“He’ll be beside me on Saturday and, to be honest, there’s not a man alive I’d prefer in my corner than John. He’s the reason Conor McGregor is a world champion!”
Owens hasn’t even fought yet but already he is coming to terms with a trend common to MMA in 2016 as, with just three days remaining before fight night, his opponent pulled out of the bout.
Originally slated to face off with powerful South African striker Alex Masuku, Owens found himself scrambling to find a dance partner for the main event.
Rush Fight Academy’s Paul Lawrence answered the call and he will enjoy an experience advantage over Owens. Lawrence, who holds a 3-0 record, actually beat Masuku at an event last April, so he arguably represents a tougher test for the Derry debutant.
“From what I’ve learned already in the fight game is that making plans is the worst possible idea,” Owens said.
“Setting goals is a recipe for disaster because injuries happen, fighters pull out. I’ve always held the belief, and I know SBG shares this opinion, that you should be prepared for all scenarios otherwise you’re destined to fail.”
This weekend represents the first step on a journey that Owens remains hopeful will turn into a successful career and he’s not just dipping his toes into the water, he’s diving headfirst.
“This is what I live for. I eat up the pressure and run with it,” he said.
“This is literally all I want to do. I’m 23 and I’m focusing my life now on MMA.
“We have to thank John and Conor for setting the path because if we had told people five years ago that this was a viable career, they’d have thought we were out of our minds.
“My mum and dad said I was crazy for trying to make this work. But that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
Tickets for the event, which also showcases K-1 fights and amateur mixed martial arts bouts, are available here.
