Dano O’Toole Interview: ‘Redemption is the best feeling ever’

The life of a fighter is filled with contrasting emotions.

In January, Dano O’Toole departed Good Council GAA hall having lost his amateur 66Kg ISKA title to Lee Coakley after five ferocious rounds of combat.

Last night, O’Toole left the same venue exhilarated having won his professional k1 debut against Andrei Jentimir [Naas KB], an opponent who handed O’Toole his first ever defeat as an amateur.

The young SBG fighter was in high spirits and gave a candid interview to Fightstore Media minutes after his obligatory post-fight medical.

“That’s not my best,” O’Toole said. “I can do a lot better. I’m trying to get that comfort zone in there where I can unleash the real me, but it’s coming.”

Despite feeling like he hasn’t yet showcased the extent of his talent, his happiness was clear.

“Redemption is the best feeling ever, especially because I got robbed the first time so to be able to go out there and go rounds with a tough guy is the best feeling,” he stated.

Was maintaining distance the key tactic employed by O’Toole and his coaches?

“Definitely, I knew from the last fight he wanted to brawl, swing and come at me. My whole plan was, it wasn’t that I was running, I was keeping my distance, be in range, land my shots and be careful, and I won.”

Before climbing through the ropes at Extreme Fight Night, O’Toole turned and embraced his vocal support.

O’Toole recalled: “I’ve learned now how to use it [the crowd] to my advantage. I can’t thank them enough, my family, my friends, everybody. They mean the world to me. To be able to go out there and hear them cheer for me and get the victory for them all spending their money and coming to see me, it’s everything.”

In his corner during the bout was unbeaten MMA fighter Kiefer Crosbie [2-0], someone O’Toole gave acknowledgement to in his interview.

“Having Kiefer was one of the big things,” O’Toole began. “He was there for my first fight. I always feel comfortable with all the advice he gives me throughout and in the gym.

“It was great having him take time out of his schedule to come and help me. He has a kid and a partner at home and to stay past half ten to come and corner me in a hall is huge.”

O’Toole stressed that his future will be as an MMA fighter but he added that offers to fight on other shows are frequent.

After his victory, O’Toole expressed his excitement about getting some “nice pizza” and watching UFC 210.

He correctly predicted a Daniel Cormier win over Anthony Johnson.

Whether we see O’Toole compete in a ring or a cage next is uncertain. But from judging his last two contests, expect more entertainment as well as for plenty of martial arts fans to still be talking about the fight once it’s over.