There was no Conor McGregor this time around as the 'Fighting Irish' thrived again at Dublin UFC. But the impressive three wins from five result was marred by some disgruntled fans throwing objects into the cage at the end of the last fight.
There was heartache for Paddy 'The Hooligan' Holohan, when he succumbed to challenger Louis Smolka in the second round of the main card by reard naked choke. But while the Dubliner sportingly accepted his defeat, some unruly fans ruined the otherwise civil tone of the night by hurling plastic beer holders into the octagon seconds after the submission.
Louis Smolka submits Paddy Holohan in Dublin. Huge win for him. Silence is deafening. Fans throwing beers in the octagon.
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) October 24, 2015
The unsavory scenes didn't last long thankfully as Holohan, who was one of the six Irish fighters who illuminated the Dublin UFC last year, delivered an inspirational speech after the fight.
'I gave it everything and it was a really good fight. The last time I was here, I stood beside my Dad after the win. I've a whirlwind journey around the world since then.'
Elsewhere, Norman Parke took the preference vote of all three judges in the co-main event of the night. The Antrim fighter subdued Reza Madadi in a lightweight bout which was loaded with tension following the weigh-in on Friday where Parke threw a handbag at his opponent to symbolise the Swede's recent issues with the law.
It went the distance but it was @norman_parke who came out the victor vs Reza Madadi in co-main event! #UFCDublin pic.twitter.com/sSvdc9cqKl
— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) October 24, 2015
The fight itself however, lacked intensity with Parke taking the initiative in the third round to land a vital take down as well as some clever kicks to the chest to secure the win.
Neil Seery lived up to his nickname '2 tap' when he dispatched Jon Delos Reyes with a guillotine choke to force a submission in a flyweight fight. Reyes was dominant throughout the bout, pressing Seery against the cage and sending the Dubliner crashing to the canvas with a takedown in the second round.
But after a few failed choke attempts, Seery snatched his opportunity while grappling with Reyes to wrap up his opponent and force the submission.
Aisling Daly found 'magic bean' to help propel her to UFC Fight Night 76 win https://t.co/Qxv5tffkad pic.twitter.com/8H0eWXDNDg
— Overnewser - UFC (@ufcovernewz) October 25, 2015
Aisling Daly marked her Irish UFC debut with a comprehensive win over Brazilian opponent Ericka Almeida in the strawweight division. On paper, Daly narrowly edged the unanimous decision but in truth, the SBG star prevailed at her ease.
The volume of noise throughout Daly's bout suggested she was the people's favourite at UFC 76 and when she gestured a grin at Almeida before the start of the third round, it was clear that her quest to regain her winning form was about to be realised.
And when her win was finally declared, Daly said:
'I just wanted to impress tonight and I hope you all enjoyed it.'
Cathal Pendred was the first Irish fighter to enter the octagon but his welterweight clash with Tom Breese ended in first round disappointment. The undefeated Breese drew blood from Pendred with a ferocious facial hit in the opening exchanges. And apart from a momentary rally, the 28 year-old could not shake off the pang of that initial hit.
Just before the end of the first five minutes, Breese moved in with a series of punches forcing the referee to intervene and end the fight.
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