THE CROWD HERE is like nothing anybody has ever seen before. I’ve been doing this for 13 years and I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Dana White wasn’t the only one blown away by the atmosphere at the O2 Arena on 19 July, 2014. On top of the noise levels, the UFC’s second ever event in Dublin had proved a roaring success. Sold out in three minutes, an unprecedented 4,500 fans showed up to the weigh-ins before just over double that arrived the following day for what was the biggest night in the history of Irish MMA.
Inside the Octagon too, it could hardly have gone better. From Paddy Holohan’s first round submission of Josh Sampo to Conor McGregor’s devastating TKO in the co-main event, those present watched all five Irish fighters (as well as adopted son Gunnar Nelson) earn victories.
Background
White had been hinting at a return to Ireland for the first time since UFC 93 in 2009 but McGregor’s meteoric rise in the featherweight division sealed the deal. The Notorious had taken out Marcus Brimage in spectacular style before defeating Max Holloway despite blowing out his knee during the fight in Boston.
ACL surgery was needed to repair the injury, which meant up to ten months out of action. As it happened, he recovered well ahead of schedule and was dying to show the world as early as March that everything was fine.
Having confirmed and Irish event in August 2013, White revealed the date a week before St Patrick’s Day before naming Cole Miller as McGregor’s opponent for the headline bout in late April.
Trash-talking between the pair was to follow and when both appeared on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, McGregor promised:
“As soon as that man steps off the plane, he is stepping onto a battlefield. He knows it, I know it. He opened his mouth. I didn’t even give a shit about him. Nobody in the UFC gave a shit about him.”
It wasn’t to be, however, as Miller pulled out of the fight in June with Brazilian Diego Brandao, ranked 15th in the division, stepping in. In the meantime, five more bouts had been announced with Ireland’s Neil Seery getting his second shot in the UFC and Gunnar Nelson taking on Ryan LaFlare in a co-main event. La Flare would later be replaced by Zak Cummings.
SBG team-mates Paddy Holohan and Cathal Pendred and Antrim’s Norman Parke were also added to what look to be a mouth-watering card for home fans.
The fighters touched down in Dublin on the Tuesday prior to the event and were tasked with showing off their hurling skills as they waited to check in. Here’s Ian McCall’s effort:
https://vine.co/v/MxlEJnzLMYz
On Thursday, Royal Hospital Kilmainham hosted the media day with all the competitors available for interview in the mixed zone before a press conference with Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa Garry Cook in attendance.
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Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
As expected, the majority of fans turned up to see the star attraction being put through his paces.
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
The excitement had been steadily building all week and by the weigh-ins on Friday, the 4,500 at the O2 were in full voice.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
A scuffle ensued when both headline fighters walked out with their respective flags and stood toe-to-toe with — Dana the only thing separating them.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Fight night
Making his UFC debut, Paddy Holohan got the evening off to a flyer with his first round submission of Josh Sampo.
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO / INPHO
The Tallaght native celebrated with a Robbie Keane-style cartwheel and a bow-and-arrow combo.
After wins for Nikita Krylov (TKO) and Trevor Smith (unanimous decision) the Fight of the Night witnessed Cathal Pendred show extraordinary strength and resilience to submit fellow TUF 19 contestant Mike King in a rear naked choke when it appeared he was going to suffer defeat. King would later test positive for nandrolone.
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO / INPHO
https://vine.co/v/MQ37p31tYZZ
Neil Seery and Phil Harris went the full three rounds but the Team Ryano man came out on top (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO / INPHO
After Ilir Latifi KO’d Chris Dempsey in the final prelim card, it was Norman Parke v Nayouki Kotani. That lasted two rounds with the Irish lightweight earning a TKO over his Japanese opponent.
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO / INPHO
Ian ‘Uncle Creeping’ McCall then got the better of Brad Pickett in their rescheduled bout via unanimous decision.
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO / INPHO
In the penultimate fight, chants of ‘there’s only one Gunnar Nelson’ rang around the arena as the Icelandic welterweight extended his winning streak to 13 fights with a rear-naked choke in the second round.
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO / INPHO
https://vine.co/v/MQLAaJnp1UQ
Then the one we had all been waiting for.
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO / INPHO
McGregor was on the offensive from the off with a spinning kick and had control of the fight for all 4:05 of it — when he knocked the Brazilian to the ground with a left and continues to pile the pressure on before referee Leon Robert called a halt.
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO / INPHO
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO / INPHO
We’re not just here to take part — we’re here to take over,” he exclaimed afterwards.
UFC Dublin revisited: The night the Irish took over
Dana White wasn’t the only one blown away by the atmosphere at the O2 Arena on 19 July, 2014. On top of the noise levels, the UFC’s second ever event in Dublin had proved a roaring success. Sold out in three minutes, an unprecedented 4,500 fans showed up to the weigh-ins before just over double that arrived the following day for what was the biggest night in the history of Irish MMA.
Inside the Octagon too, it could hardly have gone better. From Paddy Holohan’s first round submission of Josh Sampo to Conor McGregor’s devastating TKO in the co-main event, those present watched all five Irish fighters (as well as adopted son Gunnar Nelson) earn victories.
Background
White had been hinting at a return to Ireland for the first time since UFC 93 in 2009 but McGregor’s meteoric rise in the featherweight division sealed the deal. The Notorious had taken out Marcus Brimage in spectacular style before defeating Max Holloway despite blowing out his knee during the fight in Boston.
ACL surgery was needed to repair the injury, which meant up to ten months out of action. As it happened, he recovered well ahead of schedule and was dying to show the world as early as March that everything was fine.
Having confirmed and Irish event in August 2013, White revealed the date a week before St Patrick’s Day before naming Cole Miller as McGregor’s opponent for the headline bout in late April.
Trash-talking between the pair was to follow and when both appeared on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, McGregor promised:
“As soon as that man steps off the plane, he is stepping onto a battlefield. He knows it, I know it. He opened his mouth. I didn’t even give a shit about him. Nobody in the UFC gave a shit about him.”
It wasn’t to be, however, as Miller pulled out of the fight in June with Brazilian Diego Brandao, ranked 15th in the division, stepping in. In the meantime, five more bouts had been announced with Ireland’s Neil Seery getting his second shot in the UFC and Gunnar Nelson taking on Ryan LaFlare in a co-main event. La Flare would later be replaced by Zak Cummings.
SBG team-mates Paddy Holohan and Cathal Pendred and Antrim’s Norman Parke were also added to what look to be a mouth-watering card for home fans.
Fight week
The fighters touched down in Dublin on the Tuesday prior to the event and were tasked with showing off their hurling skills as they waited to check in. Here’s Ian McCall’s effort:
https://vine.co/v/MxlEJnzLMYz
On Thursday, Royal Hospital Kilmainham hosted the media day with all the competitors available for interview in the mixed zone before a press conference with Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa Garry Cook in attendance.
As expected, the majority of fans turned up to see the star attraction being put through his paces.
The excitement had been steadily building all week and by the weigh-ins on Friday, the 4,500 at the O2 were in full voice.
A scuffle ensued when both headline fighters walked out with their respective flags and stood toe-to-toe with — Dana the only thing separating them.
Fight night
Making his UFC debut, Paddy Holohan got the evening off to a flyer with his first round submission of Josh Sampo.
The Tallaght native celebrated with a Robbie Keane-style cartwheel and a bow-and-arrow combo.
After wins for Nikita Krylov (TKO) and Trevor Smith (unanimous decision) the Fight of the Night witnessed Cathal Pendred show extraordinary strength and resilience to submit fellow TUF 19 contestant Mike King in a rear naked choke when it appeared he was going to suffer defeat. King would later test positive for nandrolone.
https://vine.co/v/MQ37p31tYZZ
Neil Seery and Phil Harris went the full three rounds but the Team Ryano man came out on top (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
After Ilir Latifi KO’d Chris Dempsey in the final prelim card, it was Norman Parke v Nayouki Kotani. That lasted two rounds with the Irish lightweight earning a TKO over his Japanese opponent.
Ian ‘Uncle Creeping’ McCall then got the better of Brad Pickett in their rescheduled bout via unanimous decision.
In the penultimate fight, chants of ‘there’s only one Gunnar Nelson’ rang around the arena as the Icelandic welterweight extended his winning streak to 13 fights with a rear-naked choke in the second round.
https://vine.co/v/MQLAaJnp1UQ
Then the one we had all been waiting for.
McGregor was on the offensive from the off with a spinning kick and had control of the fight for all 4:05 of it — when he knocked the Brazilian to the ground with a left and continues to pile the pressure on before referee Leon Robert called a halt.
Watch this brilliant highlights package of the night in question:
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Cathal Pendred Conor McGregor Dana White Irish Takeover Neil Seery Paddy holohan Relived UFC Dublin