OK, I’ll admit it is a tough sell. We’ve lost the main and co-main event and for the first time since the rankings were introduced the main card features no ‘ranked fighters’. It’s no secret that enthusiasm has been waning and the final blow was Duffy vs. Poirier was cancelled. Things have hit rock bottom and the good thing here is that it can only get better.
So rather than dwell on the disappointment and despair I thought I look at the positives that remain with the UFC Dublin card.
Two Undefeated Fighters Meet
Denmark’s Nicolas Dalby (14-0) faces England’s Darren Till (13-0) in what I describe as a ‘sleeper fight’ which is flying under the radar. Both fighters come into this fight with some serious momentum behind them. The two have very different yet equally impressive striking styles with Dalby coming in from a Karate background and Till have a history in Muay Thai. Between them they have 18 career finishes and the capabilities of finishing the fight on the ground or standing. Plus there is the tagline ‘someone’s 0 have got to go’.
Bad Blood
If you have been following the card over the past few weeks you will know there has been some bad blood brewing between Norman Parke and Reza Madadi on social media and things reached boiling point at yesterday’s crazy staredown between the two. After that this is simply the must-see fight of the night.
Pendred vs. Breese
This could be a make or break fight for Pendred. The Irishman has had an underwhelming few performances since his heroics at last year’s Dublin event and he will be looking to prove a point and show he belongs in the UFC. However Breese comes into this fight with supreme confidence saying he is better than Pendred everywhere. Both fighters have their strengths and the good news for fans is that this could actually result in an entertaining fight.
Atmosphere
Irish fans love something to cheer and have always been loud for the UFC even before a certain Conor McGregor was around. There are still five fighters from this island on the card, three of which are on the main card, so expect a ruckus and fun crowd cheering on the Irish fighters as well as the two Scottish fighters competing also.
The Main Event
Paddy Holohan vs. Louis Smolka may not have the star power but where it lacks it makes up for in quality. Both fighters are seriously well rounded and are two of the more underrated fighter’s in the flyweight division. The magnitude of this fight now being the main event offers a different dynamic as both fighters have even more to gain from with a win. Victory here could put either fighters’ stock through the roof!
Some UFC Dublin videos you might like:
All of our pre fight interviews in one place
UFC Dublin weigh-ins
Crazy staredown between Parke and Madadi
UFC Dublin fighters react to Duffy vs. Poirier cancellation