The UFC’s fall return to Dublin won’t include Irishman Conor McGregor. But it will feature Northern Ireland’s Norman Parke.
On Friday, the UFC announced a lightweight bout between Parke and Sweden’s Reza Madadi will take place at UFC Fight Night 77 at the 3Arena on Oct. 25.
The 28-year old Parke (20-4-1) will attempt snap a two fight losing streak, which began in January with a split decision loss against Gleison Tibau in Boston. He since dropped a second split-decision against Francisco Trinaldo at UFC Fight Night 67 in Goiania, Brazil.
Before then Parke had been undefeated in four years, posting a 4-0-1 record in the UFC. His last victory came against Naoyuki Kotani at UFC Fight Night 46 when the UFC last visited Dublin in July 2014.
The 37-year old Iranian-Swedish fighter Madadi last fought two-and-a-half years ago against Michael Johnson in his adopted Sweden. Though he upset Johnson with a third-round submission (D’arce), Madadi subsequently ran afoul with the law, being found guilty on aggravated burglary charges in Sweden. After an appeal process, he served 14 months in prison.
Madadi has gone 2-1 in the UFC since debuting in 2012 against Yoislandy Izquierdo.
UFC Fight Night 77 will be feature a lightweight battle between Irishman Joe Duffy and Dustin Poirier in the main event.