THE BIGGEST SUMMER in the history of mixed martial arts in Ireland is ahead… and not just because it could yield the country’s first ever UFC champion.
The elite of Irish MMA will be involved in several high-profile bouts in eight different countries around the world over the coming months.
Here are the 10 we’re most looking forward to…
Karl Moore vs. Mauro Cerilli — Saturday, 30 May (Bologna, Italy)
Undefeated Belfast light-heavyweight Karl Moore faces the biggest test of his career this Saturday night at Venator FC. The 23-year-old travels to Bologna to face Italy’s own Mauro Cerilli, who has also yet to taste defeat and picked up a big win over highly-regarded Englishman James Zikic last month. We recently tipped Moore as the Irish fighter most likely to be signed by the UFC next. A win this weekend would take him a big step closer.
Norman Parke vs. Francisco Trinaldo — Saturday, 30 May (Goiânia, Brazil)
Also this Saturday night, Antrim’s Norman Parke will be in Brazil for his seventh bout as a UFC fighter. Parke’s five-year unbeaten run came to an end in January, so he’ll be keen to show that he’s capable of breaking into the rankings by returning to winning ways against his 36-year-old Brazilian opponent at UFC Fight Night 67.
Peter Queally vs. Igeu Kabesa — Saturday, 6 June (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Having only recently returned to welterweight, Waterford’s Peter Queally is heading back to the lightweight division for EFC 40. Queally is currently in Mexico playing a key role in helping SBG team-mates Cathal Pendred and Gunnar Nelson to prepare for their upcoming UFC bouts. His opponent, Igeu Kabesa, is undefeated, but we’d expect that to change a week on Saturday when he makes the step-up to take on 29-year-old Queally.
Gavin Kelly vs. Darren O’Gorman — Saturday, 6 June (Dublin, Ireland)
Ireland’s leading domestic show BattleZone returns next month to Dublin’s Regency Hotel and there are plenty of intriguing match-ups on the bill. The one that stands out for us is the bantamweight meeting of Derry’s Gavin Kelly and Cork prospect Darren O’Gorman. Kelly already has eight professional bouts to his name — including three under the umbrella of top European promotion Cage Warriors — so he’ll have the edge when it comes to experience. But O’Gorman built up a good reputation on the amateur scene and it says much about the level of his ambition that he’s willing to take on such a sizeable challenge in just his second outing as a professional.
Chris Fields vs. Marcin Prostko — Saturday, 13 June (Birmingham, England)
After enduring a difficult debut for the English promotion in February, Dublin’s Chris Fields will go in search of his 11th professional win at BAMMA 21. The 31-year-old is due to face unbeaten Polish middleweight Marcin Prostko, as he aims to rebound from a first-round TKO loss to Cheick Kone. Fields has had a tough couple of years but this is a good opportunity for the SBG fighter to show that his best days could still be head.
Cathal Pendred vs. Augusto Montano — Saturday, 13 June (Mexico City, Mexico)
Cathal Pendred has embarked on a 3-0 run since making his UFC debut last year, despite a trio of below-par performances. UFC fans have yet to see the best of the 27-year-old Dublin native so he’s eager to rectify that at UFC 188. After a couple of wins via the judges, he’ll be looking for a stoppage this time. And with his opponent fighting in his hometown, a decision will be a little harder to come by in enemy territory.
Neil Seery vs. Louis Smolka — Saturday, 11 July (Las Vegas, USA)
Veteran Dublin flyweight Neil Seery is a fans’ favourite and he’ll be aiming to secure his third consecutive UFC win at UFC 189. Following back-to-back victories against Phil Harris and Chris Beal, a win over Louis Smolka on a US pay-per-view event would represent the biggest achievement of Seery’s career.
Conor McGregor vs. Jose Aldo — Saturday, 11 July (Las Vegas, USA)
You might have heard about this one. The main event at UFC 189 and Dublin’s Conor McGregor aiming to become Ireland’s first title-holder in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. We’re counting down the days.
Joseph Duffy vs. Ivan Jorge — Saturday, 18 July (Glasgow, Scotland)
Following his extremely impressive debut in March — which prompted UFC president Dana White to tip him as a potential future champion — Donegal’s Joseph Duffy will be looking for his second win in the octagon against experienced Brazilian lightweight Ivan Jorge when the UFC visits Scotland for the first time.
Paul Redmond vs. Robert Whiteford — Saturday, 18 July (Glasgow, Scotland)
Paul Redmond will also be in action at UFC Fight Night 72. With just two weeks to prepare, Redmond was defeated by Mirsad Bektic in his debut in the octagon back in January. But with the benefit of a full training camp behind him this time, the submission specialist from Dublin will fancy his chances against Scottish opponent Robert Whiteford, who’ll be looking for his second win in the UFC.
Also, keep an eye out for an announcement regarding Catherine Costigan’s Invicta FC debut in Las Vegas on Friday, 10 July.
