Judging by the trouble many people have had getting tickets for UFC Fight Night Dublin, it's fair to say Joseph Duffy was a sufficient draw for the Irish public. The 3 Arena will be filled to the brim on October 24, there's no doubting that. Whether that is down to Duffy or to the fact that MMA is now such a big deal in Ireland is up for debate but UFC were in no doubt about the Donegal man's ability to front the card.
UFC’s Vice-President of International, Joe Carr, was speaking this week about the risk that was taken in elevating Duffy to headline a show in only his third UFC bout. The last time UFC came to Dublin, Conor McGregor cemented MMA's appeal and, as a result, there was no doubt the October card would be anything but a sell-out.
Nonetheless, Carr has had some very interesting things to say about Duffy's draw in relation to that of McGregor.
Being of Irish decent and growing up in an Irish community, I feel like, when push comes to shove, the Irish people identify more with a personality type like Joe Duffy than they do with Conor McGregor.
Conor is larger than life, and he’s probably well more liked than hated, but deep down that strong, silent go-about-your-business is more of an Irish personality type, in my personal opinion. And, I think the Irish people, and the Americans, can very much identify with that.
That belief is somewhat at odds with what McGregor had to say earlier in the week when he questioned just how committed Duffy is to his Irish billing.
He was Welsh Joe, then he was London Joe, now he’s Canadian Joe. Then he sees my success and all of a sudden he’s Irish Joe.
We're already looking forward to the inevitable re-match.
