The Hawaiian Louis Smolka threw a bucket of cold water on the party thrown by the Irish fans this Saturday afternoon (24). In the main fight of UFC Fight Night 76, an event held in Dublin, the flyweight submitted local athlete Paddy Holohan, the loudmouth's training partner Conor McGregor, and frustrated the more than 10 thousand fans who filled the 3Arena.
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The fight between Holohan and Smolka would be the first on the main card, but ended up becoming the most important duel after the duel between the Irishman was canceled at short notice. Joseph Duffy e Dustin poirier, due to a concussion of the local fighter. As a result, the pressure for victory was all placed on 'Hooligan', who even had a chance, but ended up not resisting a submission at 4:09 of the second round.
The fight
With the support of the fans, Holohan started the best. He quickly took down Smolka, but it was the Hawaiian who was in danger on the ground. With a hand triangle he was close to finishing, but the Irishman defended by opening his arms.
Despite the scare on the ground, Paddy Holohan was the one trying for the takedown all the time, even falling on bottom in some situations in the first round. Still on the ground, Smolka tried the heel hook, but to no avail. When he restarted standing, the Hawaiian landed a kick to the face that shook Holohan. The Irishman endured the punishment until half-time.
In the second round, Holohan closed the distance and took down his rival again. After reaching his back and closing the padlock around his waist, the Irishman tried to choke him, which was defended by his rival. The crowd went wild with the Irish fighter's near submission.
Despite the scare, Smolka grew in the fight and tried to respond with a guillotine. The Irishman made the save, but ended up giving way to mount and then to his back to end the fight with a rear naked choke.
“It was surreal, I loved the affection just like that (over the opposing fans), and now it's time to get out of here and drink a beer. Thank you for coming to support us, you are incredible”, he said Louis Smolka, still in the Octagon.
Paddy Holohan, despite defeat, was applauded by the fans and made a point of thanking him for the support he received.
“I never said I was gifted, that I was the best, but I tell you that I gave my all. It was a great fight, a really crazy week. I take my hat off to Louis, who faced the challenge and came to fight here”, declared Paddy Holohan.
UFC Dublin results
Louis Smolka submitted Paddy Holohan with a rear naked choke at 4m09s of R2;
Norman Parke defeated Reza Madadi via unanimous decision;
Nicholas Dalby x Darren till they tied;
Neil Seery submitted Jon Delos Reyes with a guillotine choke at 4m12s of R2.
PRELIMINARY CARD
Steven Ray defeated Mickael Lebout via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27);
Aisling Daly defeated Ericka Almeida in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-27, 29-27);
Krzysztof Jotko defeated Scott Askham via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28);
Tom Breese defeated Cathal Pendred by technical knockout at 4:37 of R1;
Darren Elkins defeated Robert Whiteford via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27);
Garreth McLellan defeated Bubba Bush via TKO at 4:58 of R3;
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