The main event is set for the UFC’s return to Dublin, Ireland.
A lightweight fight between Joseph Duffy and Dustin Poirier will headline the Oct. 24 event, the promotion announced Wednesday. This is the first fight to be announced for the card, which will air live on UFC Fight Pass from 3Arena (formerly known as The O2 Arena).
Duffy (14-1) made his UFC debut in March, knocking out Jake Lindsey in the first round. He followed up that performance with a first-round triangle choke of Ivan Jorge at UFC Glasgow earlier this month. “Irish Joe” holds the distinction of being the last man to defeat Conor McGregor almost five years ago, which is often brought up every time he is discussed.
Poirier (18-4) has won two in a row since moving back up to lightweight this year, knocking out both Carlos Diego Ferreira and Yancy Medeiros in the first round. He told MMAFighting.com at International Fight Week that he wanted to fight in Ireland.
Last year’s Dublin event proved to be one of the most memorable cards of all-time in large part due to the boisterous sold-out crowd and because all the Irish fighters won, including main eventer McGregor against Brandao. And while October’s card is expected to be a success financially, it will not showcase McGregor, who is scheduled to fight Jose Aldo in a featherweight unification bout in the coming months.