The stage is set for Ireland to show the world the strength of its mixed martial arts scene when the Ultimate Fighting Championships makes its highly anticipated return to Irish shores on July 19.
UFC Fight Night 46: McGregor vs Brandao features a plethora of Irish talent, including Ireland’s latest fighter to be signed to the UFC, Paddy “The Hooligan” Holohan. The undefeated Dubliner, who trains under John Kavanagh at Straight Blast Gym in Dublin, explained his delight at joining the UFC in a recent interview with TalkingBrawlsMMA.com.
This means I can do what I love as my job. It means I can maybe buy a house and look after my family properly rather than always being broke.As people say, as the saying goes, ‘it’s UFC or KFC’. So that’s what it means for me. I like fighting. I like fighting good guys. The UFC will look after me in all kinds of ways. They look after their guys and they look after them really well.
Holohan has not fought since injuring his back in an exhibition qualifying match for the reality TV show, The Ultimate Fighter last year. He confessed that his recovery has gone excellently and he will be fighting fit for his UFC debut.
My back is brilliant. In my head I was on this card from when this got announced. So as soon as I could get back training, I’ve been back training. I’ve been back months. I’ve been building up at the physio. I’ve been training a lot but then I learned from the physio to stop and let (my back) recover. That was the part I was missing out with the first injury I got.
The Hooligan hasn’t had a sanctioned bout since July 2012 his long lay-off may raise concerns over the possibility of ring rust. He admitted that he was uncertain whether he would be rusty or not in his next fight.
It’s gonna be a big show coming out here in July. I mean, that crowd will hit everybody. When the door closes and the first exchange goes, I know I’m not thinking about ring rust anyway... Regarding ring rust, I couldn’t tell you to be honest.”
His opponent, Josh Sampo, already has two fights under the UFC banner and is known for his jiu-jitsu prowess. The American has 11 wins on his record with six of those coming by way of submission. Holohan revealed how he has been visualising his victory ahead of the fight.
I can’t stop. It’s like I’ve caught a plague or something when I start I can’t stop. I literally can’t stop. I’m sitting there in a restaurant or something and just dazing off somewhere. My young fella will ask me or she’ll ask me ‘what round are you in now?’ You know, I was rolling with ghosts!
The Dubliner was thankful for the privilege of getting to be part of what will be a pivotal moment in the history of Irish MMA.
I know I’m part of something so special. It’s not going to be on the night; it’s only when you look back at it in a little while that you’re gonna realise just how special this night was.
Holohan faces Josh Sampo in a flyweight bout at UFC Dublin on July 19.
You can check out the full interview with Patrick Holohan on TalkingBrawlsMMA.com or listen to the radio podcast #57. The interview begins at around the 59 minute mark.
Hat tip: Talking Brawls
