SBG Ireland boss John Kavanagh officially launched his new state-of-the-art headquarters in Dublin this weekend with a well-attended public open day.
Mixed Martial Arts legend Royce Gracie was on hand to assist in the ribbon-cutting, and donned his Jiu-Jitsu Gi to take part in a women's self-defence class for prospective and current members.
Hundreds of fans joined UFC and Bellator stars such as Cathal Pendred , James Gallagher , Artem Lobov and Kiefer Crosbie to celebrate the event, which encouraged fans to sign up for the Inchicore gym.
Speaking with Irish Mirror following the event, Kavanagh said: "I'm exhausted, but I'm also very happy.
"There were a lot of people smiling today, a lot of people had a good day and got to try out some classes and to top it all off Royce Gracie, the reason why I do this and why a lot of people do this, is here.
"That was a surreal moment for me."
Kavanagh praised fiancee Orlagh Hunter for her involvement in the aesthetics of the gym, which includes a mural at the entrance to the achievements of the team and a cage for sparring that simulates a sold-out fight night.
"Orlagh is the type of person that is always in the background," he added. "She doesn't like photos and that side of things so people don't know a lot about her.
"But she has played a huge part in the colour scheme, the layout, the pictures.
"All that matters to me is the training, and I don't really notice all of that but when you want to put together something like this you need to have it all right.
"Training has got to be great and the look has got to be great as well and Orlagh has been phenomenal with that so I'm very happy."
The 42-year-old, who fans have branded the 'godfather of Irish MMA', rose to mainstream fame while cornering UFC champion Conor McGregor alongside striking coach Owen Roddy.
And Roddy, who owns his own branch of the gym in Charlestown, was on hand to celebrate the event, telling Irish Mirror that the new facility was 'unbelievable'.
"It really is state-of-the-art," Roddy said. "John has been working for so many years to get a facility like this and he's finally got it which is well earned."
The new gym is located in Goldenbridge Industrial Estate in Dublin, and you can sign up at the SBG Ireland website.
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