19 July 2020

Irish UFC fighter Joe Duffy, who beat Conor McGregor, announces retirement after ‘falling to pieces'

Irish UFC fighter Joe Duffy has announced his retirement from MMA after a third successive defeat on Saturday night.

The 32 year-old, who is most famous for inflicting Conor McGregor’s first professional defeat back ten years ago, tapped out after just 38 seconds of the first round against Joel Alvarez in Abu Dhabi.

Duffy admitted he 'fell to pieces' in his fight last night (SIPA USA/PA Images)

And after defeats to James Vick and Mark Diakiese prior to the weekend, he saw this as the final straw

Speaking on Instagram, he said: "Thank you all so much for all your messages of support all week. I have been blessed on this journey in MMA and am truly grateful for every experience.

"I felt great all through camp and even warming up, I believed I was back to my former self then when I went in there it just falls to pieces.

"I think it’s time to realize that I haven’t got what it takes any more. Congrats to Joel Alvarez and thank you to the UFC for all the opportunities.

"I’m sorry I didn’t achieve what I set out to achieve for my fans, family, friends and myself but it just wasn’t meant to be. I am officially retiring from MMA competition ?."

Duffy retires with a professional MMA record of 16 victories and five defeats.

His win over McGregor came at Cage Warriors 39 in Cork, Ireland back in November 2010.

He made his debut in the UFC in 2015, winning four and losing four of his eight bouts with the company.

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