The 14 stages of being an Irish MMA bandwagon jumper

What a difference 27 months makes.

Before April 2013, the idea of mixed martial arts breaking through to the mainstream in Ireland was mere fantasy. Sure you had the Cage Warriors events and Battlezone cards for the more up-and-coming fighters that many devoted fans would pay their money to attend but Irish MMA fandom was a world away from what we know today.

Conor McGregor and his supporting cast of Cathal Pendred, Paddy Holohan, Neil Seery, Paul Redmond and Aisling Daly have all thrust the sport into the limelight and, while most fans have been following MMA long before 2013, there are one or two people who have jumped on the bandwagon now that we've started to find global success.

We've charted how we think the last two years would have played out in the mind of an Irish MMA bandwagon jumper. OSS!

1. April 2013 - First fight syndrome

We all remember the first mixed martial arts contest we ever watched. From YouTube virgin to bona fide expert in less than 24 hours...

2. May 2013 - Digging deeper

An awareness of other fighters dawns on the newbie. getting on top of this bandwagon is going to take some serious research.

3. June 2013 - Blind faith

But all that wisdom brings one surefire fact about life: You'll never beat the Irish... apparently

4. August 2013 - the "gym search"

This sh*t is getting real. We've got a badass on our hands.

5. December 2013 - What to do next?

Should he delve further into the UFC roster? Of course not.

6. April 2014 - More Irish, MORE ... BLOODY ... IRISH

It's not just a one man show any more.

7. May 2014 - Poor ol' boxing

Firmly entrenched in the ways of MMA it's now time to start having a dig at other sports.

8. July 2014 - UFC Dublin. That's all

What a time to be alive.

9. Later in July 2014 - The Billy bullshitter phase

More Joe Pesci than Joe Rogan.

10. October 2014 - Dat mentality tho

This is the sign of a fan who knows what they're talking about, right?

11. January 2015 - Oh please don't do that

Nothing worse than a pretend pundit having a punt.

12. February 2015 - Seems legit

Buzzwords are strong with this one.

13. You have to be kidding

Who in their right mind goes from "MacGregor" to tattoos?

14. June 2015 - The tipping point

Deep breaths lad.

Wondering how Charlie Buckley has been getting on since July? We'll be catching up with our favourite bandwagoner before UFC 194.