DUBLIN : Irish fight fans turned out in their thousands for the first major mixed martial arts gala in Dublin since the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, and though some results did not go their way, there was plenty for them to cheer about.
Taking place at the 3Arena on the north bank of the river Liffey, the fans queued around the building from early evening in anticipation of another wild night at a venue where the sport made its breakthrough in Ireland. But that generation has gradually moved on and a new one is now making its presence felt, this time under the banner of the rival Bellator promotion.
Featherweight Ciaran Clarke then re-ignited the crowd with a third-round submission victory over Jordan Barton, with full-throated chants of"Ole! Ole! Ole!" ringing around the packed arena in an echo of McGregor's heyday.