Joseph Duffy out of UFC Fight Night 76; Paddy Holohan vs. Louis Smolka set as new main event
The hits keep coming for UFC Fight Night 76. A week after the Dublin event lost its co-main event due to injury, UFC officials announced Wednesday that Irish headliner Joseph Duffy has been forced to withdraw from his fight against Dustin Poirier due to a "mild concussion" suffered this week during training.
As a result, a previously scheduled flyweight contest between Patrick Holohan and Louis Smolka has been shifted into the vacant headlining slot.
The UFC's statement can be seen below.
The UFC's statement can be seen below."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."
Following the announcement, fellow UFC Fight Night 76 lightweight Norman Parke revealed on Twitter that the UFC offered him a replacement fight against Poirier, but that Poirier elected to wait for Duffy rather than fight a lower-ranked opponent on a few day's notice.
Poirier subsequently confirmed that claim.
@andrewmcgahon_ @PaddyHolohanMMA @SevereMMA @SeanSheehanBA I was offered the fight..
— STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) October 21, 2015
@SevereMMA @andrewmcgahon_ @PaddyHolohanMMA @SeanSheehanBA I said yes but he refused, but then again more for him to lose, I'm still focused
— STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) October 21, 2015
. @norman_parke this was my team's and management's decision to let the small fish go and fight Duffy when he's healthy.
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) October 21, 2015
UFC Fight Night 76 takes place Saturday, Oct. 24 at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. The event airs live on UFC Fight Pass.
The updated UFC Fight Night 76 fight card is as follows:
- Paddy Holohan vs. Louis Smolka
- Reza Madadi vs. Norman Parke
- Nicolas Dalby vs. Darren Till
- Mickael Lebout vs. Stevie Ray
- Neil Seery vs. Jon Delos Reyes
- Aisling Daly vs. Ericka Almeida
- Scott Askham vs. Krzysztof Jotko
- Cathal Pendred vs. Tom Breese
- Darren Elkins vs. Robert Whiteford
- Bubba Bush vs. Garreth McLellan