It's no secret the MMA world has been waiting for the return of Dean Barry (3-1) and the time will finally come on December 17th.
Ireland’s Barry has had some tough luck with booked fights not coming to fruition over the past year, including two scheduled UFC bouts. With that being said, he’s more than grateful to get the opportunity to perform once again. Barry will make his second walk to the Titan FC cage next weekend in hopes of, once again, showing the UFC he’s ready for the next level. Calling the 29-year-old a high level striker is an extreme understatement as Barry’s stand up is something special. Aside from being a multiple time world champion is kickboxing and karate, there isn’t much more he enjoys aside from putting on a show for the fans.
Barry is a tenured veteran in martial arts despite only having four pro MMA bouts. He fell in love with martial arts at age 10 and never looked back from then. He dropped all other sports to pursue karate and kickboxing, basically, full-time. As time progressed, his skillset developed and he started to have success at a young age. Fast-forward several years and he is now doing what he loves professionally. Barry truly enjoys the aspects of diligent training and dedication to the sport and finds motivation there. However, just over a year ago his motivation shifted drastically. Following the birth of his son, Jayce, Barry has never been more driven and committed to being the best version of himself he can be. His relationship with Jayce is truly heartwarming and admirable and everything he does is for his son.
“I love competing, the lifestyle and the hard work,” said Barry. “My main motivation is my son. I’m doing this to inspire him.”
One thing that Barry does that shows his true colors is never turning down a scrap. Aside from that being the person he is, he has become more grateful for every opportunity he gets to step in that cage due to his past experiences. It has been a long year and change for Barry and after speaking to him, it was clear he just wants to fight. It’s safe to say people want to see him fight as well, considering all his pro MMA wins have come by way of first-round knockout.
After parting ways with SBG Charlestown, Barry made his way over to the South Florida quite a few weeks prior to his bout. He has spent his days training at Sanford MMA and American Combat Gym with the likes of UFC veteran Charles McCarthy, UFC featherweight, Charles Rosa, and Titan FC, welterweight, Rami Hamed. He showed his great appreciation for Titan FC, the gyms that took him in and his temporary roommate, Charles Rosa.
“My time here has been amazing,” he explained. “I’ve learned a ton from Charles, not even just about fighting, but cooking and life.”
Barry is set for a scrap with Drew Lipton on December 17th at Titan FC 73. He will be cornered by his brother, Shane, his manager, Brian, and a coach he has spent years with, Rob Rivest. Barry isn’t one to watch too much film on his opponents as he feels like it’s unnecessary. Barry has been doing it long enough that fighting comes naturally and his skillset is well-equipped for all battles. He expects a victory in spectacular fashion come next weekend and believes it will come quick.
“I see myself getting a knockout inside one minute,” he said. “Maybe a head kick or flying knee.”
Dean Barry is someone many fighters should be inspired by. The journey he’s on, has had quite a few bumps in the road and it’s truly inspiring how he’s overcame and adapted to the adversity he’s faced. Not to mention, he’s had an extremely positive attitude throughout the entire process.
There is no question Dean Barry will be in the UFC relatively soon as he will continue to prove people wrong and pile up victories. The only thing that would make a Dean Barry win sweeter, is if Jayce could watch his dad paint a masterpiece in person.
By:Coby Weinsier