After the heavyweight bout between Stipe Miocic and Ben Rothwell was cancelled this week, things were looking bleak for the general (non-Irish) interest in UFC Dublin. Miocic's withdrawal due to an undisclosed injury was certainly a blow and, at this stage, there wasn't a whole lot that could be done in terms of another high quality bout being added.
As such, the powers that be have had to look further down the card for a new co-main event. Initially it was decided that the rather underwhelming fight between Norman Parke and Reza Madadi would be moved up to to compensate for the loss of heavyweight fight. The decision was met with a little bit of scepticism from fans and plenty were quick to point out that it was not exactly doing much for suggestions that UFC Dublin would be one of the least inspiring cards of the year.
Your new co-main for #UFCDublin: @norman_parke vs. @RezaMaddog! Just 9 days to go!! pic.twitter.com/FWfqK8BjRO
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) October 15, 2015
However, less than 24 hours after this tweet was published, UFC president Dana White took to Twitter to announce another change to the fight card. Two and two was obviously put together and if another high quality bout could not be added, they'd just have to go down the hometown favourite route. Paddy Holohan has now been bumped up to co-main event status for his fight against Louis Smolka, replacing the decision made only hours before.
Holohan vs Smolka is now the co-main event in Dublin! Here’s the Paddy vs Sampo fight from the last Dublin show http://t.co/jDaezqzZWa
— Dana White (@danawhite) October 16, 2015
Holahan's fight will precede the main event between Joseph Duffy and Dustin Poirier.
Related:Joseph Duffy's Stare Down With Poirier Proves He's The Anti McGregor
Related:Conor McGregor Has Had Some Harsh Words For Joseph Duffy Ahead Of UFC Dublin
