While Irish fans would have liked to see Gunnar Nelson in the co-main, this is a more than adequate alternative.
A heavyweight match up with title implications looks set to serve as the supporting act for Dustin Poirier vs Joseph Duffy at UFC Fight Night 76 in Dublin.
Number-three ranked heavyweight Stipe Miocic will square off against number six in the rankings Ben Rothwell on the October 24th card in the 3Arena.
Reputable MMA site MMAJunkie initially reported that the fight was targeted for the event, but have now revealed that multiple sources have confirmed it will be the first UFC heavyweight clash to be held in Ireland. The fight was subsequently confirmed by the UFC.
It's official! The heavyweights are coming to #UFCDublin! @stipemiocicufc vs @RothwellFighter https://t.co/qEkxR0YL13 pic.twitter.com/3JNLWPXXtL
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) August 14, 2015
Miocic (13-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) has won four of his last five, with his last loss coming by way of an extremely close decision that went in favour of former champion Junior dos Santos. He enters into this fight off the back of a five-round annihilation of Mark Hunt, in which he knocked the Super Samoan out in the final stanza.
Rothwell (35-9 MMA, 5-3 UFC) is riding a three-fight winning streak and adding Miocic to his impressive collection of scalps that include Alistair Overeem and Matt Mitrione, might be enough to earn him the next title shot.
The card for UFC Fight Night 76 is shaping up nicely:
Joseph Duffy vs Dustin Poirier
Norman Parke vs Reza Madadi
Cathal Pendred vs Tom Breese
Scott Askham vs Krzysztof Jotko
Bubba Bush vs Garreth McLellan
Paddy Holohan vs Louis Smolka (not confirmed by UFC)
Nicolas Dalby vs.Darren Till
