The future of MMA on this island looks very bright indeed.
Belfast City council are in the process of developing a new community hub in the Corrigan Village Concept in West Belfast.
The concept includes building infrastructure that would provide amenities such as a children’s centre, a theatre, a boxing club and, perhaps what's most exciting, a youth MMA Centre of Excellence, according to the
International Mixed Martial Arts Federeation.
Plans for the centre were proposed Councillor Steven Corr, a long time advocate for the sport who was pivotal in getting Belfast to run its first ever amateur and junior novice MMA tournament in February.
Steven approached Ulster Chairman Danny Corr with his idea for an MMA Centre. His aim for the project is to emulate the work of the Ulster MMA club run by Danny, a non-profit organisation providing Youth development and MMA programmes.
After almost 2 years since the project began, Belfast City Council has backed the funding of an MMA Centre of Excellence with £70,000 from the Local Investment Fund earmarked to establish a purpose built centre for the area.
Danny Corr revealed his delight at the concept becoming a reality.
“I am really excited and privileged to be part of this amazing concept. It has taken a lot of hard work and discussion to get to this final stage but having mainstream recognition especially from Government sources is what MMA needs."
"My hope is that this will lead the way for other similar concepts throughout the country and that there can be centres in every district council area where we have amazing MMA Coaches working daily to develop the sport and its future. I look forward to a few months time when the doors will open to a new era of MMA in the North for everyone.”
