UFC are heading to Ireland, this St. Patricks day?
Posted on August 2, 2010, 11:06 AM by Daniel CassidyNot too long ago, fans were asking Dana White which international settings the UFC President had selected as future venues to hold company events. While all the usual fan pleasing answers were given, one fan was bold enough to come out and ask how long before Irish fans would see the promotion return. "Before the end of the year", was White's reply. This looks almost impossible, given all but one event leading 2011 are currently booked.
However, according to the newspaper, The Irish Daily Star, Dana White and Co. actually hold first refusal on Ireland's foremost venue, The O2 in Dublin for the March 17th. With St. Patrick's Day being big National Holiday in Ireland, as well as a widely celebrated event in the States, UFC would be crazy to pass it up.
Such an event on such an occasion would give the company great press. While there are no significant Irish UFC stars, there are several who boast "Irish-American" heritage, such as Forrest Griffin and Marcus Davies, who would be well received on any Irish card.
UFC have previously visited Ireland twice before, UFC 72 and UFC 93. Both events brought the company approx. 1.25 million dollars. While it does not rank up there with the UFC's Vegas events, it still gains a foothold in a European market where MMA is growing at a scary pace. This past year even saw the opening of Ireland's first Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy, a great feat for a country with a population 50 times smaller than The USA.
With previous cards featuring current LHW Champ Shogun Rua, former MW Champ Rich Franklin, Former LHW Champ Forrest Griffin and PRIDE legend Dan Henderson, any UFC card would be well received in Ireland, with fans desperate for the company to return.
Comments
The fans there go mad(nuts)!
ill be there :) not matter what the cost of the ticket
The Daily Star isn't what you would call a totally reliable source.
aw dan we can only hope!! im only about an hours journey from the o2 aswell....CMON DANA MAKE IT HAPPEN!!
i know, it would be friggin awesome!
I am 2 1/2 hours away but that wouldn't matter to me. Hurry Dana and I might think about possibly someday maybe by chance feel you are worth some of your words.
awww god damn it i will be away on holidays!!
yea, i'll be away too. movin to korea soon. ragin. if this turns out to be true tho i may have to look into flying back especially for it!
i didn't know there were so many irish people on this site.
"it's like a st. patrick's day gift shop exploded"
hah ha yeah me neither only in he last few days i've noticed all the irish. hopefully we'll find out about the event soon so can change the plans!!
Why isn't Dan Hardy mentioned?
because he's from England
The ideal main event, for marketing purposes, would be Lesnar vs Nelson. Of course they'll have to win their next bouts, which Brock will probably do ( idk about Big Country). Brock's already fighting Cain just a few months after Carwin, why not?
not a hope in hell Lesnar will be fighting out of the USA any time soon, thats why.
Naw - the best main event ever would have to be the rematch of Jimmy Quinn McDonagh Vs John "The Frog" Ward (RIP). Maybe one the frogs sons could sub for him, or even Paddy "The Lurcher" Joyce. (They gave Kimbo a shot, so why not?)