The Rise Of The Coat Hanger | Long Island MMA

     The team of amateur fighters competing out of Long Island Mixed Martial Arts is without a doubt a force to be reckoned with; consisting of fighters such as Mike “The Caveman” Kuhn, “The Saint” Joseph Ninomiya, and Daren “The Bat” Feliciano. All of these young athletes are talented; however, one specifically stands out. That fighter is Robert “The Coat Hanger” Diggle. Robert is an extremely talented grappler and brings quite an unorthodox method to the cage when he fights. Although Robert is a well-rounded fighter possessing striking ability as well as a wrestling background, it is his skill on the ground that makes him truly lethal.

     Robert’s main inspiration for his unorthodox style of fighting comes from Japanese MMA fighter Masakazu Imanari. When he first saw one of Imanari’s fights he was fascinated by the intricacy and the precision with which he was able to secure and finish his leg locks. Robert decided that he too would become skilled in this respect, and he has absolutely done so. As portrayed by his new highlight video, his leg locks are dangerous and judging by the looks of pain on the faces of his opponents they seem to agree.

       Over the years Robert has secured several first place victories in Jiu Jitsu tournaments, both in the gi and without. He currently competes as a purple belt. In regards to MMA, Robert has fought for the New York Fight Exchange and the MMA Platinum Gloves and holds a record of 2-1-0. The MMA talent being produced in the state of New York is becoming more and more recognized and it is safe to say that one day “The Coat Hanger” will too make himself known to the greater MMA world.