A Derry teenage Mixed Martial Arts champion wants to pursue his dreams in becoming professional and eventually coaching the next generation in his home city after a life-changing trip to Dubai.
Eoghan Masoliver has already become Irish MMA Champion and two time world Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion among many other sporting medals before turning 18.
Now, after a teammate invited him to train in Dubai for ten days, Eoghan is more sure than ever in his dream in becoming professional.
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Eoghan spoke to MyDerry about following his dream career path.
He said: " The dream is to be UFC champion, simple as that.
"In 5 years I hope to be turning professional, having won some World Championships and travelling with MMA around the world."
Earlier this year, Eoghan was given the fantastic opportunity to train with professionals in Dubai, thanks to a teammate of his.
He said: "The team I train with, Team Evolve, is under Team Ryano who have clubs all over Ireland. One of my teammates is living in Dubai training there at the minute.
"He put up a photo on social media of the view from his apartment and I commented saying it was the dream and he invited me out to train in Dubai.
"I was there for 10 days. Training out there was amazing and being surrounded by the people I need to be.
"Tyson Fury was training in that gym a few weeks before I was there so it was just seeing what needs to be done to get to that level and beyond.
"I trained with UFC fighters who were competing weeks after I left. I would not have gotten that opportunity without that trip.
"I left school and the trip to Dubai cemented my belief that I’m doing the right thing to pursue the career I want."
Despite his now global reach with MMA, Eoghan has set his sights on returning back to Derry to coach teenagers after he is ready to stop fighting with the sport.
He said: "It is my goal to coach when I’m done. I’m doing a sports coaching course now and I do enjoy it.
"I do want to fight first but I want to coach in Derry and open up a big facility in Derry. I would want to provide a facility for people my age to study and train."
Eoghan praised the tight-knit MMA community in Derry and across Ireland, helping young people self-fund their journey.
He said: "The community is so supportive, throughout Ireland it is massive.
"As competing is self-funded I need to fund my own way to the World Championships in Abu Dhabi in August and other gyms in Derry have donated to help me.
"Everyone wants the best for each other. All the money goes towards flights, accommodation, training gear, travelling to Dublin for training."
Eoghan also takes one-to-one training classes and encourages those interested in the sport to take the plunge in starting training.
He said: "It can be quite scary to start, even going to a new gym is scary. I know I found it scary to start.
"Maybe private sessions would be a helpful way to get started so it’s just you and your coach. There are lots of opportunities to get involved."
As Eoghan needs to self fund to compete in competitions, he has set up a GoFundMe which can be reached here.
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