Relentless Martial Arts puts Mullingar MMA on the map
A Mullingar martial arts club has cemented its reputation as one of Ireland's leading training academies after an outstanding performance at one of the world's most respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions.
Relentless Martial Arts, based in the heart of Mullingar, returned from the recent North American Grappling Association (NAGA) championships in Dublin with a remarkable haul of medals and team honours, proving that world-class martial arts talent is thriving in the Midlands.
The club sent 16 competitors to the prestigious event, which attracts athletes from more than 100 academies across Ireland and Europe. Competitors battle in two separate divisions, making success even more difficult to achieve.
Relentless Martial Arts rose to the challenge in spectacular fashion, claiming first place in the kids and teens division and bringing home the coveted Top Academy and Top Affiliation trophies. Their athletes secured an impressive nine gold medals, earning NAGA championship titles, while also adding several silver and bronze medals to an unforgettable weekend.
Head coach Alan McCormack said the achievement reflects years of hard work from both coaches and students.
“We're really happy,” Alan told the Examiner, “At the minute we're definitely the top junior club in Ireland for Jiu-Jitsu and we're doing very well in the other sports too. We have a lot of competitive kids and they're getting the results.”
Relentless Martial Arts offers training in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Muay Thai, wrestling and K1 kickboxing. The club caters for complete beginners through to elite competitors, with a coaching philosophy built around long-term development rather than immediate competition.
Alan and his wife, Danni, lead the coaching team. While Alan specialises in Muay Thai, Danni teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Danni brings a wealth of experience to the gym. A former professional mixed martial artist, she competed internationally in both Bellator and Invicta FC, where she became Invicta Strawweight Champion. Her achievements provide inspiration for the club's younger members, many of whom dream of following in her footsteps.
“They all look up to her and see what she accomplished,” Alan said, “She's a great role model. She's the one who teaches the Jiu-Jitsu classes while I teach Muay Thai.”
The club currently has around 250 members, with approximately 180 under the age of 18. While not every member competes, around 50 to 60 junior athletes regularly enter tournaments, alongside a smaller group of competitive adults.
Alan believes one of the keys to the club's success is its structured coaching system. Rather than placing beginners alongside experienced competitors, Relentless Martial Arts separates students into beginner, intermediate and advanced classes, allowing them to develop confidence and technique before progressing.
“We have a really good kids' programme,” he explained, “Beginners train together first because it can be intimidating if they're put in with competitive athletes straight away. They always have the goal of reaching the next class and eventually joining the competition squad.”
That pathway has produced exceptional results. The club's young competitors train with remarkable dedication, often attending five sessions every week. Their programme combines one hour of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and one hour of Muay Thai each training day, amounting to around 10 hours of coaching every week for many under-14 athletes.
“They're very competitive kids. They show up every day, give it everything they have, and the results speak for themselves,” Alan outlines.
The coaches emphasise that competition is only one aspect of what Relentless Martial Arts offers. Many members train simply to improve their fitness, confidence and wellbeing, while others enjoy learning self-defence in a welcoming environment.
Alan's own journey into coaching began in Mullingar, where he first trained in kickboxing before moving to Australia in his early twenties. There he discovered Muay Thai, a sport he quickly fell in love with.
Inspired by the traditions of the sport, he travelled to Thailand, spending months training full-time in professional camps before returning to Ireland determined to open his own gym. A second six-month training stint in Thailand further developed his coaching knowledge before Relentless Martial Arts was established.
Now, after another major international success, the club is already preparing for its next challenge.
The team will compete at the prestigious ADCC competition in Athlone next month, where they will attempt to defend the Best Team title they won last year.
With a growing membership, dedicated coaching team and a production line of talented young athletes, Relentless Martial Arts continues to establish Mullingar as one of Ireland's leading centres for martial arts excellence.
From complete beginners taking their first steps on the mats to champions standing atop international podiums, the club is proving that with commitment, expert coaching and community spirit, world-class success can be achieved from the heart of the Midlands.