Mick Doyle (kickboxer)
Mick Doyle (born December 1, 1967) is an Irish and Muay Thai kickboxer, trainer and coach. He is the only individual to coach both the US National Muay Thai team ( Kings Cup Thailand) and National MMA Teams (MMA Sport Federation). Michael J. Doyle was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1967. At the age of 7, Doyle started his martial arts journey.
Early career[edit]
During his first two years of training as a youth Doyle couldn’t win a match. He wanted to quit but his father encouraged him to stay training and it was a move that would pay huge dividends in his later life.
In 1984, Doyle earned his first Dan in Wado Ryu Karate[citation needed].
In 1985, Doyle took his final school exams. At that time in Ireland 1 out of every 6 people were unemployed.
Later that year Doyle earned his first Dan in Mugendo Martial Arts under Joe and George Canning.[citation needed]
On December 6, 1986 at the age of 18 Doyle immigrated to the United States.
Obstacles[edit]
Doyle found it difficult to find kickboxing and Muay Thai fights in the United States. In 1989 he was one of 24 fighters from around the world invited to the Sabaki Challenge.[citation needed] He came in second, losing by decision to Nobo Hiko Kishi of Japan.
Turning Point[edit]
On April 25, 1996 Doyle was appointed Head Coach of the United States Muay Thai Team.[citation needed] In May of that year Doyle traveled with the team to Thailand to train and compete in the Princes Cup Amateur Championship. After two members failed to make the trip, it was decided that Doyle would compete as a team member to make the minimum complement, and the more qualified Greg Nelson, from Minnesota, would coach the Team. Doyle’s skill as a cornerman was also in high demand. He cornered such fighters as Houston Alexander, Moti Hornstien, Dave Cummings, Dan Rawlings, Pedro Villalobos and Kongnapa.
In 1998 He decided to come out of retirement and was invited to compete in the Budokai Bare Knuckle Challenge in Springfield, Missouri. Doyle beat his opponent, and knocked him out in the second round after breaking his opponents hand with powerful kicks.[citation needed]
In the spring of 1998, Doyle competed in the Shidokan, “The Triathlon of Martial Arts.”[citation needed] During the Semifinal match, Doyle TKO’d Eddy Lynn, the World San Shou Champion with a head kick.[citation needed] This set up a final match with U.S. Muay Thai Legend Wayne Gregory, the first U.S. fighter to ever win in a stadium in Bangkok. Doyle forfeited the match.
Brutal Win[edit]
Later that year, Doyle was honored with an invitation to fight Bob Schirmer, the first American to ever beat a Gracie,[citation needed] in the Bangkok Brawl World Championships. Doyle K.O.’d Schirmer in 90 seconds.[citation needed]
Also in 1998, Doyle won the Grand Championship Belt at Bas Rutten’s U.S. Open Jui Jitsu/Toughman Tournament in Denver, Colorado.[citation needed] Three of Doyle’s students, Fabio Martella Rob Wiley and Chris Brammer, would also later win titles in the same event.
Retirement[edit]
Since retiring from full contact competition Doyle has devoted his energies to his gym, his students, and his children. He now holds a 3rd Dan in Bushido, a 6th Dan in Gan Teora and MuGenDo and a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He still competes in Jiu Jitsu competitions to honor his late Jiu Jitsu Professor Luis "Sucuri" Togno.
External links[edit]
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