(“You’re a skinny, pencil-necked little…okay, I give up! I GIVE UP!!”)
If the name Joseph Duffy sounds familiar to you, it’s not just because you’ve spent more than 5 minutes in South Boston. No, Joseph Duffy Shaughnessy O’Hoolihan (actual full name) is actually an Irish-born MMA fighter with an impressive 12-1 record who was recently signed by the UFC, and not that this had anything to do with it, but he’s also the last man to defeat Conor McGregor.
Following his vicious first round KO via knee over Julien Boussuge at Cage Warriors 74, Duffy signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC in December. Although we have yet to confirm whether or not the deal included the Ferrari race down Sunset Blvd. clause that comes standard with the signing of *all* Irish fighters, UFC officials announced earlier today that Duffy’s first bout has been booked.
“Irish Joe” will face “Vabulous” Vagner Rocha (actual nickname) at UFC 185 on March 14, in what may or may not be worthy of a main card slot depending on who drops out due to injury.
Currently 1-3 in UFC competition, Rocha has been knocked out by Jonathan Brookins and choked out by some guy named Jake Matthews, but somehow managed to go the distance with Donald Cerrone. Strange world, this MMA one is. Anyways, Rocha’s lone UFC win came over Cody McKenzie, who you best believe was underpaid and/or drunk for that sh*t.
Duffy, on the other hand, went 2-0 in 2014 after taking a three-year hiatus from MMA to explore a professional boxing career, which itself came following the first and only professional loss of his career. He also holds a notable win over Norman Parke, but c’mon, that McGregor one is what everyone cares about. Because Conor McGregor is, like, what would happen if you put Fedor on Zeus’s shoulders, and then put Michael Bisping on Fedor’s shoulders. And all three of them could punch, but only Zeus could kick.