No luck of the Irish for the UFC.
The UFC’s return to Dublin for Fight Night 76 main card took another hit today as it was announced the replacement headlining bout between Irishman Joseph Duffy and Dustin Poirier has been scrapped due to a mild-concussion suffered by Duffy in training.
Fellow Irishman Paddy Holohan will now get the bump in front of his home crowd taking on Hawaiian Louis Smolka in a rare three round main event with Norman Parke vs. Reza Madadi now the co-main slot.
The UFC released the following statement regarding the Dublin card:
“Due to a medical issue involving UFC lightweight Joe Duffy, the new main event of UFC FIGHT NIGHT in Ireland on Saturday will be a three-round bout featuring hometown hero Paddy Holohan vs. Louis Smolka.
“Having learned that Duffy received a strike to the head during training earlier this week, UFC sent him for medical tests in Ireland for precautionary purposes. The results determined that Duffy suffered a mild concussion and due to the proximity of the fight this Saturday UFC will not permit him to compete. The health and safety of UFC athletes will continue to be the top priority for the organization. As such, UFC has respected standard athletic commission regulations, which recommend a medical suspension from competition as a result of the concussion.
“Duffy’s original opponent, Dustin Poirier, will be rescheduled for another event. Fans seeking ticket refunds as a result of the main event changes can do so through Ticketmaster at the point of purchase.”
The cancellation marks the second headlining bout to be scrapped for UFN 76 Dublin, with original headliner Stipe Miocic pulling out of a bout opposite Ben Rothwell, in similar fashion following an injury suffered in training.
Both Holohan and Smolka come into the fight riding two-fight win streaks.
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