Oh MMA Gods, what have we done to anger you.
Joe Duffy has been pulled from the main event of UFC Dublin after being diagnosed with a concussion.
The UFC frantically searched for a late replacement so as not to further jeopardise the card that had already been heavily hit by the withdrawal of Stipe Miocic and subsequent scrapping of his co-main event with Ben Rothwell earlier this month.
Norman Parke, who faces Reza Madadi at UFC Dublin, offered to take the five round fight with Dustin Poirier but claims that The Diamond refused.
@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
British lightweight Ross Pearson offered to take the fight at 170 lbs but that fell on deaf ears.
I will step up take the fight at 170lbs #SavetheNight @danawhite https://t.co/XQY1x8OYNA
— Ross Pearson (@RossTheRealDeal) October 21, 2015
Conor McGregor’s training partner and current TUF 22 contestant Artem Lobov also campaigned to UFC president Dana White to award him the fight.
@danawhite Give me Porier, I will make it an amazing fight!!! Call me postman, because I always deliver!!! @ufc @TheNotoriousMMA
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) October 21, 2015
Company man Benson Henderson also offered to step in and save the card.
Hey @UFC if you guys need someone for #UFCDublin I'll be your huckleberry, thx for the heads up @Pendred…170 preferable but I can make 155
— TheOnceAndFutureKing (@BensonHenderson) October 22, 2015
The Irish Dragon Paul Felder was another fighter who actively campaigned to fill in for Duffy.
@UFC @Sholler_UFC my bag is packed… Let me know if u need me. I've been trying
— Paul Felder (@felderpaul) October 21, 2015
But the fight was officially scrapped and Paddy Holohan steps into the main event for the first time in his UFC career.
