Paddy Holohan isn’t one for talking smack.
The rising Irish flyweight has been bumped up to the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 76 after the fight between Ben Rothwell and Stipe Miocic was scrapped due to an injury to Miocic.
The Dubliner appeared on the MMA Hour on Monday evening and was immediately asked about comments his teammate Conor McGregor said on the show.
The Notoriousl infamously called the event’s headliner Joseph Duffy’s nationality into question and claimed that Holohan, Cathal Pendred and Aisling Daly were the card’s real main event.
When asked by host Ariel Helwani if he agreed with this sentiment, The Hooligan just gushed about what he expects will be a phenomenal support from the crowd in the 3Arena.
“I think because I’ve been fighting in Dublin. I’ve been fighting in GAA clubs her for a €100 for how many years now. I’ve been supporting my family with that and doing whatever it takes to make it. So, I think people relate with me, especially the people that will be here this time.”
“I walked into SBG and joined the foundation programme. So to be fighting in the co-main of the UFC in your own home town after walking in a beginner is pretty substantial to be. So I don’t care who you are, that’s pretty inspiring.”
Just arrived home to Dublin airport to see this two team mates right were day should be can't wait ufc dublin pic.twitter.com/t84YXyFcZr
— Keith Duffy (@KeithDuffyIre) October 16, 2015
Holohan did stick up for his teammates, suggesting that because they live and mostly train in Ireland, they are more of a representation of the country than Duffy who is based in Montreal.
“It’s starting to look like SBG is becoming Team Ireland. A lot the fighters are starting to travel and move around now. To me, you can play for Manchester United and you live in Argentina or something like that. You’re not really involved in being at home and feeling the buzz and seeing what’s going on.”
However, he admitted that everything that happens outside the cage is really irrelevant, and without talking smack about compatriot Duffy, he predicted that the atmosphere will be electric for his fight.
“As always, it’s about the fight to me. I don’t really care where other people are, where they’re training in or where they are in the card. I don’t really get jealous like that. I’m always there for one thing, to put away my opponent. I think you’re going to see a crazy reception for that co-main event.”
Holohan takes on fellow rising flyweight Louis Smolka in the co-main event of UFC Dublin on October 24th.
