Marc Diakiese showcased why he received so much hype early in his career with a brilliant performance against Joe Duffy at UFC London.
Marc Diakiese entered the UFC after a pair of 30-second knockouts in BAMMA. Three wins, two of which were knockouts, kicked off the hype train after he joined the UFC. However, Diakiese has struggled since then, losing his last three fights.
Joe Duffy is making his first UFC appearance since 2017. After a pair of stoppage wins to start his run in the promotion, Duffy lost in a tough fight against Dustin Poirier. “Irish Joe” bounced back with a 25-second submission then a decision win over Reza Madadi. Duffy’s run ended with a second-round buzzer-beater knockout loss against James Vick. A rib injury kept Duffy from fighting in December.
Both fighters were finding their range to start this fight. Kicks were being favored by Joe Duffy, and as soon as Diakiese went for a leg kick, Duffy dragged him down. The takedown did not last long, and the fighters returned to the center of the Octagon. Duffy showed off a hook kick, then a leg kick swept Duffy off his feet. Diakiese attempted a wheel kick but came up short. Diakiese stuffed a takedown from Duffy, then knocked him down with a devastating elbow. Duffy was able to pop up and make it to the end of the round.
Diakiese opened up to start the second round, landing a combination and winning the striking exchanges with Duffy. Diakiese got a hold of him and took him down into a triangle attempt from Duffy. Diakiese broke free and stood up and continued to win the stand-up against a visibly hurt Duffy. Leg kicks from Diakiese in the first round seemed to have added up, as Duffy was walking gingerly on his front leg. Diakiese scored another takedown as he dominated the second round.
Diakiese started the third round with a flashy kick attempt. The stand-up was still all Diakiese and Diakiese stamped a dominant performance with a takedown midway through the round, eventually working his way to full mount as time expired.
"It means everything." @Marc_Diakiese #UFCLondon pic.twitter.com/U5YqgTAYe2
— UFC (@ufc) March 16, 2019
Marc Diakiese def. Joe Duffy by Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)
