BENDIGO mixed martial artist Richie Ivory has wasted little time in disposing of his latest opponent.
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It took the Irish-born 28-year-old just 28-seconds to score a knockout win against Matthew George at the Brace 40 event at Southport RSL in Queensland on May 15.
Ivory, who has been based in Bendigo for the past two years, sealed the decision with a devastating head-kick.
It was no mean feat for the 61 kilogram bantamweight, who went into the bout with a torn MCL and meniscus and risked further damage with the punishing finishing move.
The win, which was shown live around the world on UFC Fight Pass, advanced Ivory to the semi-finals of the Brace tournament.
It also gave him plenty of national and international exposure.
"That fact I went into the fight with a torn MCL and torn meniscus, I was happy to get it out of the way quickly," he said.
"I had to take the whole last week off before the fight, which isn't ideal as I have to lose whole lot of weight.
"I couldn't run, or anything - literally the day of the fight was the first time I was able to take the strapping off."
The fight was Ivory's 10th, for a 6-4 win-loss record. He also competes in jiu jitsu.
Ivory said he was inspired to take up MMA after watching an early UFC DVD as a 17-year-old in Ireland.
"I just thought I could do it, so I looked up some gyms and the closest gym were up in Dublin, which was about an hour and a half drive," he said.
"As soon as I got old enough to drive I started to go up there.
"The first time I saw an MMA match I wanted to do it."
He said stepping into the cage was as daunting now as it was the first time he fought.
"To get into the cage is a little bit scary - it's always the same," Ivory said.
"You get used to the feeling of the nerves and the anticipation.
"But what it has helped me do is become comfortable in situations that are uncomfortable - I don't see being nervous or anxious as a problem, I've come to terms with being in control."
Ivory's focus in Bendigo is two-fold. He not only fights but also oversees an MMA gym at Fit Republic in Golden Square.
More than 50 adults and a growing number of youths train in mixed martial arts and jiu jitsu each week.
Ivory said the numbers demonstrated the huge popularity of MMA in Australia and Bendigo.
"My goal is to build this place into a legitimate MMA gym - it's already taking off," he said.
"It's kinda rivaling the big gyms down in Melbourne and competitions.
"So my focus is more on this place than my own fighting, but I've won my last fight and I'm starting to get some good offers on the table.
"It's making me think more about myself again."
Ivory is the current bantamweight champion of Melbourne-based promotion Minotaur.
His Brace semi-final is scheduled for August 13.