Joseph Duffy: It was a 'bit of a shock' to get UFC main event so early in career

Joseph Duffy

Joseph Duffy has less than one round of total UFC fight time on his resume, but already he’s on the verge of his first main event showcase with the organization.

Duffy (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) will face Dustin Poirier (18-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) in a lightweight headliner on Saturday at UFC Fight Night 76 at 3Arena in Dublin. The event streams on UFC Fight Pass.

“Irish” has been launched into the spotlight with quickness after just two UFC appearances. He said he’s ready for it, but admits the push to the top of a card came sooner than expected.

“It was definitely a bit of a shock,” Duffy told MMAjunkie of his main event position. “I was the fight before the co-main event (at UFC Fight Night 72) in Glasgow, so I thought maybe I would be the co-main this time. But obviously when I got word I would be the main event, it makes sense for me to be the main event in Ireland.”

Although Duffy has the advantage of the bout taking place in his home country, Poirier owns the advantage of UFC experience, which is arguably much more valuable.

“The Diamond” has headlined UFC events in the past and also shared the octagon with top talent such as Conor McGregor, Max Holloway and Chan Sung Jung.

Poirier recently returned to the lightweight division and is 2-0 since he made the move. Moreover, he’s finished his opponent in 70 percent of his octagon victories and will surely try to get another stoppage in the next fight, Duffy said.

“I’ve been impressed with Dustin; he’s obviously a great fighter and more importantly, an exciting fighter,” Duffy said. “He’s always involved in fights that are exciting and he knows how to finish fights. He’s definitely been impressive. I’m not really thinking too much about what he’s bringing to the table and am concentrated on what I need to do to go out there and win.”

It’s not common for UFC fighters to be placed in a main event after just two bouts with the promotion. Duffy is not an ordinary talent, though. The 26-year-old has tasted defeat just once in his career and has a tendency to win in quick and exciting fashion.

Duffy’s brief UFC career has consisted of one knockout and one submission victory, both of which took place early in the first round against Jake Lindsey and Ivan Jorge, respectively. He gets a far more proven opponent at UFC Fight Night 76, but Duffy said he’s not flustered by the situation and simply views the fight as any other.

“I don’t feel any pressure whatsoever,” Duffy said. “With the fight, being the main event – none of that gets to me and I don’t look too much into it. Really, it’s just an idea that people put in their head. It doesn’t change anything. I’m still going to go out there and fight the same fight I’ve been training for. None of these factors play a part.

“I’ve trained for a five-round fight before and cardio was never an issue. It’s the same this time. I feel there’s little adjustments, when you’re in this position you step things up slightly, but I’m relaxed and things will go well.”

Duffy’s technical striking ability and slick grappling skills make him a threat to every opponent that steps in the octagon. He owns a 38-second submission victory over current interim UFC featherweight champ McGregor, which indicates exactly what he’s capable of.

Poirier has been stopped by knockout and submission in the past, but never when competing at 155 pounds. Duffy plans to win, but said he doesn’t expect to run through Poirier as quickly as his previous UFC opponents.

The main event showdown with Poirier is Duffy’s most relevant contest since he bested McGregor in November 2010. He said he’s ready to take advantage of the opportunity and prove he not only deserved the main event position, but is also worthy of even bigger opportunities in the future.

“A win over Dustin puts me right up in the mix and I’ll be ready to fight the top 10 guys, the elite guys,” Duffy said. “I think this fight might go longer (than my first two UFC fights); I’m fighting a top-level guy and I’m prepared for five rounds. That’s what I’m ready for, but if he gives me the opportunity to finish the fight quickly I will take it.”

And for more on UFC Fight Night 76, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.