The UFC is finally heading back to Dublin, Ireland, home of the biggest star the MMA powerhouse has ever seen. Just don’t expect Conor McGregor to be going with them.
Promotion officials announced Thursday via press release that a Fight Night event had been booked for the 3Arena in Dublin on August 15. That will mark the organization’s first trip to the Irish capital since 2015, with a Fight Night card that featured Paddy Holohan submitting Louis Smolka in the main event.
No fights have been announced for the UFC’s latest visit, but Irish fans no doubt feel it’s about time. In the promotion’s absence, rival Bellator MMA has made several stops at the 3Arena, making it a regular destination on their European circuit.
UFC Senior Vice President, International and Content, David Shaw was quoted in Thursday’s press release as saying “We kicked off the year with a phenomenal comeback from Conor McGregor at UFC 246, and now we are thrilled to announce our return to Ireland after four-years. With Irish fans amongst the most passionate UFC supporters in the world, and Dublin being such an iconic global city, we can’t wait to put on another world class event for our fans there.”
McGregor (22-4), the former featherweight and lightweight champion, crumpled Cowboy Cerrone in all of forty seconds at UFC 246 last month. He last fought in Dublin in 2014 at UFC Fight Night 46 — which marked the first time McGregor had headlined a UFC card. While he’s not about to take part in a Fight Night event (he’s far too valuable to the UFC), expect some other SBG Ireland fighters to take part.
Tickets for the event go on sale to the public on June 26, after presales for UFC Fight Club members (June 24) and newsletter subscribers (June 25).
