Michael J. Doyle was born in Dublin Ireland in 1967. Raised in a tough neighborhood, Mick’s father, Robbie, thought it would be a good idea that his son had some training in the Martial Arts. Robbie had previously trained with Joseph Canning in Wado Ryu Karate under the instruction of Grandmaster Meiji Suzuki. So at the age of 7, Mick started his Martial Arts journey.

During his first two years of training, Mick had his share of problems. He couldn’t win a match; he would rather be playing soccer and running the streets with his friends. He wanted to quit. He had had enough. His father said, “No.” Robbie told Mick to do as Sensei Joe said and just train properly for a one tournament. If he did like Joe said and still lost he would let Mick quit.

Later that year Mick entered the Irish Kickboxing Federation’s Leintster Finals and won his division. From that point on Mick was hooked. He trained seriously, running home from school for lunch, a 2-mile stretch both ways, and watching television on his knuckles.

By the age of 10 his interest in soccer was declining and his passion for Martial Arts was growing. Sensei Joe asked him to join his Junior Competition Team. Joe’s team won every tournament they entered, and Mick took particular pride in beating up on foreign teams while representing Ireland during international competitions.

In 1979, at the age of 11, Mick’s life took direction when the reigning World Karate Champion, Ticky Donovan came to Dublin with the English National Team. The champ took a look at Mick, and said that he had what it takes to be the World Champion. Mick now had a goal.

From 1980 to 1985 Mick went undefeated and become the Irish Kickboxing Champion. For three of those years Mick was forced to fight in the adult divisions, even though he had not met his majority. His tournament and fight schedule allowed him to travel much of Northern Europe.

In 1984, Mick earned his first Dan in Wado Ryu Okinawa Karate. During this time he began to study Bushido, or The Way of the Samurai, under Sensei Eddie Ince.

When Mick was 17, he went to England to train in Muay Thai with Master Toddy. While there he also participated in a seminar series presented by Master Sken in Muay Thai as well. These were his first experiences with the Muay Thai style of fighting, but it wouldn’t be his last.

In 1985, Mick took his final school exams. At that time in Ireland 1 out of every 6 people were unemployed. He applied to join the police force, but there was a 5 year wait. He applied with the Irish Rangers only to find that they had a 4 year wait. Ironically, later that year Mick started training the Rangers for close quarter fighting with Sensei Eddie Ince. This was his first experience in teaching.

Later that year Mick earned his first Dan in Mugendo Martial Arts under Masters Joe and George Canning. He also earned his Black Belt in Bushido that year.

On December 6th, 1986 at the age of 18 Mick made the decision to immigrate to the United States. At that time he had an overall record of 50 – 0.

He enrolled at Bellevue University and started working out at the University’s gym. Mick entered a Karate/Tae Kwon Do tournament in both disciplines and won the Black Belt category in both, catching the eye of Greg Adams. Greg invited him to his gym where the fighters wanted to study with Mick. He trained there for 2 years.

In 1988 Mick became the Fitness Coordinator at Saint Joseph’s Center for Mental Health. He also opened his first school, The Midwest Fighting Arts Academy at 51st and Northwest Radial Highway in Northwest Omaha.

Mick found it difficult to find kickboxing and Muay Thai fights in the United States. He turned to bare knuckle and full contact fights. In 1989 he was one of 24 fighters from around the world invited to the Sabaki Challenge. He came in second, losing by decision to Nobo Hiko Kishi of Japan.

In 1989 he met one of his childhood goals—being recognized as one the best active fighters in the world. He was ranked the number one welterweight fighter in the IKKC World rankings by Denver based World promoter Vern Stephenson. A great World title fight was scheduled between Mick and the now boxing great Johnny Tapia, but Boxing’s bigger paydays lured Tapia away from the title fight and, for Tapia, the rest is history, as they say.

As Mick’s gym continued to grow, he moved to 60th and Maple, and then to 108th and Maple in Omaha.

In September 1994, Mick won his first World title. The IKBO (International Kickboxing Organization ) based out of Emmen, Holland and run by Mr. Fred Royers, had unsuccessfully tried to match Mick for over 2 years. Opponents had constantly backed down from the fight. The Muay Thai world title was finally his, and the belt still sits in the trophy case at his gym.

In January of 1996, the IKBO offered Mick a chance to unite the Muay Thai and International Rules titles in a 10 round low kick rules fight against Dave Horvath in Dave’s hometown of Winnipeg, Canada. This title would give Mick the Undisputed Title of Welterweight World Champion in Muay Thai and also International Rules Kickboxing and it was a fight he couldn’t resist. Unfortunately for Mick he suffered a fractured tibia during the sixth round of the great battle. Mick had fractured the bone during training in December and had only told his training partner, Kurt Podany. Mick but forged ahead. In the sixth round of the ten round title fight that was going Mick’s way; the injured tibia gave way when Mick threw a low kick which Horvath blocked.

On April 25th, 1996 Mick was appointed Head Coach of the United States Muay Thai Team. In May of that year Mick traveled with the team to Thailand to train and compete in the Princes Cup World Championship. After two members failed to make the trip, it was decided that Mick would compete as a team member to make the minimum compliment, and Greg Nelson, from Minnesota, would coach the Team.

Mick fought the Uzbekistan Champion, Bajhkitor Isroliev (70 – 0) in the semi-finals. The local paper reported it as a “Spectacular Kickboxing Display” with over 300 leg kicks. Three days later, when Isroliev was released from the hospital, he presented Mick with a traditional robe for being a great warrior. During the fight Mick re-injured his shin, and the medical staff would not let him continue in the final match.

During that time in Thailand, Mick spent one month training in the remote areas in the North of Thailand, and attended fights at the famous Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.

Due to his shin injury, Mick went into retirement from Muay Thai competition. He focused his efforts on his program and on his gym. The gym was now his full time profession and passion.

Mick began to spend more time perfecting his Jui Jitsu and Grappling skills. Renzo Gracie came to Omaha to train with Mick at the gym as did John Lewis and Igor Zinoviev. At this time the popularity of Mick’s seminars grew and he traveled the United States and Ireland, his homeland, to teach students. Mick’s skill as a Corner man was also in high demand. He cornered such fighters as World Champion Moti Hornstien, World Champion Dave Cummings, World Champion Dan Rawlings, World Champion Pedro Villalobos and Muay Thai legend Kongnapa.

In 1998 Mick wanted to test his new found skills of grappling and No Holds Barred fighting with a real competition. He decided to come out of retirement and was invited to compete in the Budokai Bare Knuckle Challenge in Springfield Missouri. Mick outclassed his opponent, from Mexico, and knocked him out in the second round after breaking his opponents hand with powerful kicks.

In the spring of 1998, Mick competed in the Shidokan, “The Triathlon of Martial Arts.” During the Semifinal match, Mick TKO’d Eddy Lynn, the World San Shou Champion with a spectacular head kick. This set up a final match with U.S. Muay Thai Legend Wayne Gregory, the first U.S. fighter to ever win in a stadium in Bangkok. Mick suffered a knee injury in the fifth round and was forced to forfeit the match.

Later that year Mick was honored with an invitation to fight Bob Schirmer, the first American to ever beat a Gracie, in the Bangkok Brawl World Championships. With Renzo Gracie on his side and Jeremy Horn, UFC Veteran in his corner, Mick K.O.’d Schirmer in 90 seconds. Schirmer, a master grappler, shot in repeatedly in an attempt to take the fight to the ground. Using years of Muay Thai training, Mick landed a vicious barrage of knees that ended Schirmer’s reign as four time Bangkok Brawl Champion, and earned Mick another World Title.

Unknown to Mick, a delegation from China were in attendance to scout talent for the first ever Professional Fights to be held in China. Mick was invited to compete on the United States Team against China’s best. Mick lost a controversial decision, which was made more controversial after Mick’s opponent appeared in his dressing room and presented Mick with the Winners Plaque, which is currently displayed in the gym’s trophy case.

Also in 1998, Mick won the Grand Championship Belt at Bas Rutten’s U.S. Open Jui Jitsu/Toughman Tournament in Denver, Colorado. Two of Mick’s students, Rob Wiley and Chris Brammer, would also later win titles in the same event.

Anyone that has ever trained with Mick knows that, when Mick is training for a fight everyone is training for a fight. At this time Mick produced some great fighters such as World Muay Thai Champion Kurt Podany, United States Amateur Champions Rob Wiley, Steve Bass, Chris Brammer, Julian Walker, Jesse Hilger, David Brice, Matt Bentley, Tracey Kuschel and Paul Donelson.

Since retiring from competition Mick has devoted his energies to the gym. He strives to teach people the life’s lessons he has learned from years of constantly challenging and pushing himself to be the best. The odds have always been stacked against him. From being blind in one eye, to immigrating to the U.S. at the age of 18, unsure of what his future in this country would hold. Mick has faced all these challenges with the courage and determination of a modern day warrior.

That attraction to the Warrior Lifestyle came early for Mick. In his Bushido training while learning the way of the sword, he was taught a Samurai maxsim that continues to guide him today:
“Ware i gai mina shi nari.”
Everything, everybody outside of me is my teacher.

Martial Arts Experience

• First Degree Black Belt
• Midwest Regional Light Heavy weight Kickboxing Champion
• Certified kickboxing Instructor
• Operations Manager and Instructor for Z’s Martial Arts Academy

Promotional Experience

• 12 Years Kickboxing
• 10 Years Mixed Martial Arts
• 12 Years Boxing
• Promoted the Largest Kickboxing National Tournament and Regional Tournament
• Promoter/Partner of the True Fighting Championships
• Vice President of USA Kickboxing Alliance
• Vice President of MMA Sport Federation

Professional Experience

• Head Official for KICK International, Kickboxing and MMA
• Head Official for IKF Kickboxing Organization
• Certified & Licensed Martial Arts and Mixed Martial Arts Referee
• Certified & Licensed judge
• Certified & Licensed time keeper

Personal Work History

• Operations manager / Promoter , Z’s Martial Arts Academy, 2004– Present
• Regional Director of Financial Services, General Electric Co., 2001-2004
• District Manager, American Express Financial Advisors, 1997-2001
• District Manager, Prudential Insurance and Financial Services, 1994-1997
• Store Manager, Dominick's Finer Foods, 1983-1994

Personal

• Married
• 2 Children

Community Service Experience

• Commissioner and Executive Board Member of Football, Algonquin Argonauts Youth Football, Pop Warner
• Advisory Board Member of NWS Lacrosse Jr. Knights
• Baseball Coach, Lake in the Hills Youth Baseball

Education History

• Gordon Tech High School, 1981-1985
• DePaul University, 1985-1987
• Northeastern, IL University, 1987-1988

Hobbies

• Football
• Lacrosse
• Kickboxing
• Golf
• Boating

MMA SPORT FEDERATION and NEMESIS FIGHTING ALLIANCE PRESENTS: TEAM USA VS. TEAM CANADA

July 31st, 2010

TEAM USA   3 WINNER   VS. TEAM POLAND 0

Team USA vs. Team Poland - Lt. Heavyweight - 205lbs.
Jordan Mitchell, Team USA vs. Jaroslaw Koszko, Team Poland
Jordan Mitchell winner by TKO Strikes

Team USA vs. Team Poland - Lt. Heavyweight - 205lbs.
Matt Paul, Team USA vs. Boguslaw Baginski, Team Poland
Matt Paul winner by submission-Rear naked choke

Team USA vs. Team Poland - Lightweight - 155lbs.
Dan Darby, Team USA vs.  Damian Merlinger, Team Poland
Dan Darby winner by TKO Strikes

President/ Owner 1986-Present
Z's Martial Arts Academy 

Locations:

• Huntley, IL 2002-Present
• Lake in the Hills, IL 1997-20023.
• Carpentersville, IL 1999-20024.
• Buffalo Grove, IL 1990-20015.
• Wheeling, IL 1986-1990

Shihan Rob Zbilski (6th Degree Black Belt) 
Received 1st Degree Black Belt 1984 
Received 2nd Degree Black Belt 1989 
Received 3rd Degree Black Belt 1992 
Received 4th Degree Black Belt 1996 
Received 5th Degree Black Belt (Master Black Belt) 2000 By Shihan Dave Young 
Received 6th Degree "Honorary Grand Master" 2002 Certified in Reylson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu BCIP

Member of the Masters "Black Belt" Hall of Fame

Kickboxing Accomplishments

• Head Coach for the US Kickboxing TeamInducted into the International Kickboxing Federation Hall of Fame as a Kickboxing Promoter and Trainer
• Trained over 25 PKC Amateur U.S. Champions From 1992 to 1995
• Trained over 30 IKF U.S. and North American Amateur Champions 1999 – Present
• Trained Several Professional U.S., North American and World Champions. The Highest accomplishment for Kickboxing.

United States Head Coach for Teams that fought in: Ukraine, France, Ireland,  Canada,  Poland, Croatia, Spain, Mexico, Portugal, & Italy

Promoted the Largest Annual Regional Kickboxing Championships since 1999

Promoted the Largest All Martial Arts Tournament for the KICK /WAKO Organization 2008

Boxing Accomplishments

• USA Boxing Certified Coach
• USA Boxing Charter Member
• Trained Several Golden Glove Boxing Champions
• Managed, Tommy Bach (Professional Boxer) and Milan Henich (Professional Boxer)
• Have consulted a ½ dozen other Professional Fighters

Other:

• Certified IKF Judge and current Midwest IKF Representative
• Certified UFC Judge (Judged UFC 26)
• Co-Promoted one of the Largest Mixed Martial Arts Events in the State. 1996 Rockford Metro Center Kickboxing Event.
• Promoted over 70 Kickboxing Shows with Kickboxing Teams from all over the World.
• Promoted the 2007 WAKO/KICK U.S. National Championships

November 19th, 2010

TEAM USA 2-DRAW WINNER VS.  TEAM ITALY 0-DRAW

Team USA vs.  Team Italy - Lightweight - 155lbs.
Alex White, Team USA vs.Pietro Falco, Team Italy
Alex White winner by Submission –Guillotine Choke

Team USA vs.  Team Italy -  Welterweight – 170lbs.
Austin Knight, team USA vs. Hohnny Cecchini, Team Italy
Austin Knight winner by Submission – Triangle Choke

Team USA vs.  Team Italy – Featherweight – 145lbs.
Jason Slattery, Team USA vs. Davide Morini, Team Italy
DRAW

March 12th, 2011

TEAM USA   5   WINNER VS. TEAM IRELAND 1

Team USA vs. Team Ireland - Flyweight 125lbs.
Joshua Schirmer, Team USA vs.  Alan Philpott, Team Ireland
Joshua Schirmer winner by Submission – Tarantula arm bar

Team USA vs. Team Ireland - Lightweight 155lbs.
Brandon Maddox, Team USA vs.  Stephen Lowery, Team Ireland
Stephen Lowery winner by submission – Triangle Choke

Team USA vs. Team Ireland - Lightweight 155lbs
Eric Daigle, Team USA vs.  Paul Redmond, Team Ireland
Eric Daigle winner by submission – Rear Naked Choke

Team USA vs. Team Ireland - Bantamweight 130lbs.
Pearl Gonzalez, Team USA vs.  Amanda English, Team Ireland
Pearl Gonzalez winner by submission – Tarantula Arm Bar

Team USA vs. Team Ireland - Featherweight 145lbs
Alex White, Team USA vs. Peter Doyle, Team Ireland
Alex White winner by KNOCKOUT

 
Team USA vs. Team Ireland - Welterweight 170lbs
Andrew Krzeptowski, Team USA vs. Philip Maher, Team Ireland
Andrew Krzeptowski winner by Submission – Guillotine Choke

March 31st, 2011
Contact: Scott Fischer    
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
www.mmasf.com   
847-669-7833
         
Note: Competitors and coaches available for interviews

Mixed Martial Arts Team USA to feature 1 Chicago-area fighter in May7th match-up vs. Team Australia & The South Pacific At DuPage Expo Center, St. Charles-IL
 
Top U.S. rising stars scheduled to compete against Team Ireland
 

St. Charles – The Mixed Martial Arts Sport Federation today announced the 8 fighters, including one Chicagoan, who will represent the USA against Team Australia& the South Pacific, May 7th at The DuPage Expo Center at 7:30 p.m. 

One Chicago-area fighter was selected to compete for Team USA: Andrew Krzeptowski of Bridgeview (Welterweight, 7-0). 

Other Team USA standouts include Missouri’s Alex White (featherweight, 12-0-0) and Jordan Mitchell of Marion, IN  (light heavyweight, 15-3-0) and Eric Daigle (featherweight 7-0-0) . Team USA will take a 110-7 overall record into the bouts.

“These are simply some of the talented and fiercest rising stars of MMA in the country,” said Mick Doyle, Team USA coach and former International kickboxing organization world champion. “We scouted hundreds of fighters at dozens of fights all over the U.S. to select the 12 men who will proudly wear the stars and stripes may 7th against Team Australia & the South Pacific at The DuPage Expo Center-St. Charles.”

The event is organized by the MMA Sport Federation, an organization that champions the highest ideals of international sportsmanship. The Federation provides an opportunity for the very best young fighters to train, build skills, and advance their reputations while competing against teams from around the world.

A weigh-in will be held May 6th at McNally’s Irish Pub-St. Charles, IL at 7pm and a fighter meet-and-greet will be hosted at Hawthorne’s Backyard, West Chicago, IL at 7pm on Thursday-May 5th.  Tickets can be purchased at www.mmasf.com.

About DuPage Expo Center
Trade Shows and events have found a spacious new home at the DuPage Expo Center.  With more than 23,000 sq. ft. of column-free carpeted space and acres of professionally maintained grounds, DuPage Expo is the perfect venue for trade shows, product launches, product meetings and special events.


How to reach DuPage Expo Center
Located in St. Charles, Illinois the expo center is less than an hour from Chicago near all major airports and is located on the beautiful 300- acre campus of luxurious Pheasant Run Resort and Spa.  DuPage Expo is conveniently located on a major thoroughfare (Main Street/Route64/North Ave) with easy entry and exit.