Eamon Gilmore To Retire And Focus On Mixed Martial Arts Career

IRISH Labour politician Eamon Gilmore is set to retire from politics at the next general election to pursue a career in mixed martial arts, he revealed yesterday.

The former Tánaiste announced that he is stepping down as TD for Dún Laoghaire before beginning an intense six month training regime for his first professional UFC bout in November.

“I’ve been practicing for many years in the background so I’m hoping to turn professional quite soon once my fitness levels are up,” said the 60-year-old Jujitsu black belt, who is also a grand master in origami. “My ground game is second to none but my toe-to-toe is lacking so I’m travelling to Thailand in a couple of weeks to train with some Muay Thai lads to work on it.”

Mr Gilmore thanked “the members of the Labour Party in Dún Laoghaire for their continued support”, but warned opponents in the Octagon that they will see a whole different side to him come November.

Flexing his biceps he said: “There’s gonna be a new face on the Irish MMA scene so I hope all those punk-ass bitches out there are prepared for the Gilmenator.”

Eamon Gilmore’s amateur MMA record is currently 44 to 0 with 41 of these wins KOs.

“Ireland hasn’t seen the last of me,” he concluded, before performing the splits while flexing outside Leinster house.