Issue 145
September 2016
Neil Seery’s UFC call-up came as a shock, but he’s showing the world how experience and love of martial arts can guarantee an exciting scrap
Neil Seery
UFC Flyweight
Alias: 2 Tap
Age: 36
Team: Ryano MMA
Record: 16-12
Records are for DJs and age is just a number. Two fighting clichés that are hard to avoid when describing Irish flyweight Neil Seery. Despite approaching his 37th birthday in August, the Dubliner – who entered the Octagon to raised eyebrows in 2014 armed with a 13-9 pro record – has become one of the most entertaining scrappers on the entire UFC roster. Never in a dull fight, the father of six approaches each bout like it will be his last, but this wily veteran has plenty of gas left in the tank.
Q In your wildest dreams, did you honestly think you’d fight for the UFC?
A To be honest, no. Absolutely, no. I just kept my head down, kept trying and kept competing. Not in my wildest dreams, as you say, did I think I’d be fighting all over the world for the UFC. No way. I took an opportunity when it arose. A lot of people didn’t think I was good enough to take this opportunity and run with it like I have. People wrote me off from the word go and I believe I’ve proved them wrong.
Q How much are you enjoying your career’s Indian summer?
A Every minute of it. And that’s why I keep going, that’s why I’m doing what I’m doing. I know I’ve been given an opportunity I never dreamed would occur. I’m just enjoying every bit of it. Fans, media and even friends keep asking me, ‘What if?’ What if I beat this person or I get the chance to fight on that night? But I’m not interested in the ‘what ifs’. I’m just enjoying the right now. I’m taking it all in – every city I get to visit, every event I get to experience, every country I get to fly to. If I come away with a win, then we move forward. If I come away with a loss, then we just regroup and we see what comes next.
Q Did you question your career before the UFC came along?
A Not really, no. Obviously, every fighter has times when they have doubts during down time and stuff like that, but I think wen you take your shoes off and step onto that cold mat in the morning you feel it again. It re-energizes you. Especially when you are as small as I am, yet on that mat I can take on guys much bigger than me. When you’re sparring bigger guys, but you’re catching them on the ground. You’re catching them but they’re unable to land on you. That’s when it all feels real again. It’s something that clicks and that’s why I’ve never ever thought seriously about giving up. I love it too much.
Q Do you wish this opportunity had come along 10 years ago?
A Honestly, no. My record, which led me to the UFC, shaped the person that I am today. I’m not ashamed of it, I’m proud of it. And do I even want another 10 years in this game? No, believe it or not. I’m happy the way things are going now. I don’t think, ‘If I was 10 years younger I could have been the champion.’ Because I’m a champion either way.
Q Is there a magic number in terms of age or fights that you’re aiming to get to in MMA?
A Believe it or not, when I was 32 I said, ‘I’ll go to 34.’ But when I turned 34 I got signed by the UFC – so that got launched out of the window (laughs). And here I am now. But it’s one fight at a time. It’s a tough game. You lose a couple of fights in the UFC and you can be out, and when that day does come I’ll never fight again. But while they still want me, the fans are still enjoying my fights and I’m certainly still enjoying myself, I’m going to stick around. I don’t worry about numbers or s**t like that. I’m taking it one fight at a time.
Q Are the Seerys the proudest family in all of Dublin?
A Oh for sure. And there’s an awful lot of us too. I’ve got six of my own. I had to go out and buy a seven-seater car I’ve had so many kids (laughs). It’s lucky I’m small actually because I’ve got the kids all going to school in the Reebok gear. That’s stuff’s really come in handy, let me tell you.
I get great support from back home. It’s great to have the support as it means so much when you’re in there.
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