The last man that beat Conor McGregor. That was the tagline associated with Joseph Duffy before yesterday. It's not often that someone just two fights into their UFC career has so much attention on them. But then again, it's not often that that fighter is one of two fighters to have beaten one of the most recognisable figures in UFC.
UFC's faith in Duffy was realised yesterday, when it was announced that Duffy was headlining October's UFC Dublin event at the 3 Arena. Duffy suitably lived up to the mantra, with some tantalising talk of his ambitions plans.
Duffy may have previously played down talks of a rematch with the Notorious McGregor who he beat in a Cage Fighters match five years ago, but yesterday teased that it could be a huge reality. When asked if he'd want a rematch with McGregor:
Without a doubt.
Conor is the interim champion now and regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound [fighters] in the world. That's where we're all striving to be.
That fight would be ideal, Croke Park, main event, sounds good to me. It would be a Donegal/Dublin All-Ireland Final.
I'm pretty confident in my game. I believe I would beat Conor. Every fighter has to be confident in their own ability. I believe he hasn't faced someone like myself, someone who is not going to break, someone who he can't get into their head, someone who loves being in that Octagon.
How huge would that be? It would rank as one of the most hyped non-GAA events to take place at Croke Park since Garth Brooks and the England rugby team coming to town in 2007.
Dana White has previously hinted that a victory for McGregor over Aldo would lead to a title defense in Croke Park. There would have to be a lot for Duffy and McGregor to actually face - including one of them changing weight division, but we can dream right?
