When Louis Smolka boarded his flight to Dublin, there’s no way that he expected to be headlining his first UFC event.
Nobody could have predicted the injury that ruled Joe Duffy out of Saturday night’s main event and, low and behold, Da Last Samurai will be the last fight when the UFC comes back to the capital.
Smolka takes on Dublin’s own Paddy Holohan in the main event of UFC Dublin and, having beaten Neil Seery at UFC 189 in July, it was put to the Hawaiian that he had an issue with Irish fighters but Smolka quickly denied that accusation.
“They’re down to fight,” Smolka said. “The way I see it, I’m from Hawaii and we’re always down to fight. Ireland is always down to fight too and I guess there’s a little rivalry brewing but it should be fun.
“I’m expecting a hostile crowd. I’m expecting an energy-filled crowd. I’m expecting a lot of hype and to be booed but we’ll see.”
A negative reception from the Irish fans won’t be the first time that a crowd has rooted against Smolka and the 9-1 flyweight is comfortable in that role.
“I’ve fought a bunch of times [in that situation],” Smolka admitted. “I fought in the Philippines when the crowd was chanting the other guy’s name mid-fight, trying to will him out of my submissions. It’s fine. It’s fun.”
The winner on Saturday night will likely be rewarded with a shot against a top fifteen opponent but only one man can stretch their winning streak to three when the octagon door closes. Smolka believes that he can be the first fighter to stop The Hooligan.
“I’d say first round knockout,” Smolka predicted. “But we’ll see.”
