Irish MMA journalist Petesy Carroll talks to the biggest names in UFC, PFL, Bellator, Cage Warriors, boxing, and more. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday morning.
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Shauna Bannon talks UFC 304, Improvements and Controversial Opponent Change
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It’s been over a year since Shauna Bannon made her UFC debut and the Tallaght UFC straw weight is adamant the world will see a host of improvements in her second trip to the Octagon. “Mama B” talks personal tests over the last twelve months, being coached by Paddy Holohan who made his debut ten years ago on the historic UFC Dublin card, the outrage…
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Kiefer Crosbie: A Happy Fighter Is A Dangerous Fighter
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Ahead of his second fight in the UFC, Kiefer Crosbie returned to discuss how he has changed his mindset after what he described as the best camp of his life. The Dubliner gave insight on the fleeting nature of fandom following his debut loss, the pitfalls of fighters being on social media and how bad he felt ahead of his short notice debut in Austr…
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Leon Edwards Eyes 185 Title | Shauna Bannon’s Controversial New Opponent
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Could Leon Edwards’ be eyeing bout with lightweight champion and a 185-pound title shot prove troublesome for Irish welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry? What the fuss about Shauna Bannon’s short notice opponent Alice Ardelean? The Trident of Knowledge - featuring Andy Stevenson and Donagh Corby - return to The Craic to break it all down.…
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Inside Tom Aspinall’s UFC 304 Camp | The Jon Jones Conundrum (w/ Andy Aspinall)
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U.K. BJJ pioneer and head coach of UFC interim heavyweight champion, Andy Aspinall, returns to The Craic to give us the lowdown on his son’s preparation for Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. Having watched the growth of the U.K. scene since it’s inception, Aspinall explains how it feels to see his son at the forefront of what could be a stratospheric mome…
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Can Alex Pereira Make MMA Mainstream in Brazil Again | Ian Machado Garry’s Seamless Sao Paulo Transition
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The greatest Brazilian mixed-martial-arts of all time, Guilherme Cruz, returns to The Craic to give us the low-down on the impact Alex Pereira is having in his homeland. Can Poatan reached the lofty height Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort and Jose Aldo once soared to, or is the lack of a deal with powerhouse network Globo providing a significant obsta…
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Irish MSM's Muted Response to Ian Machado Garry at 303, Fanboying Alex Pereira (w/ Chris Fields)
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Former Cage Warriors middleweight champion and head coach of Team KF, Chris Fields returns to The Craic to talk about the muted response to his former fighter Ian Machado Garry’s historic win for Irish MMA at UFC 303. Fields gives insight into his busy schedule, the magic of Alex Pereira, a busy month for KF in July and ponders whether the lack of …
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Is Ian Garry Piling Pressure on Himself with Pre-UFC 303 MVP Talk?
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Petesy is looking forward to Ian Machado Garry’s matchup with Michael “Venom” Page more than any fight on the stacked UFC 303 card. Keeping with the U.K. vs. Ireland theme, he invited his old verbal sparring partner Chisanga Malata back on the show to discuss the meeting. The lads weigh-in on the pre-fight talk between the two, question whether Gar…
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Paul Hughes’s Big Splash in Debut, Conor McGregor’s Slippers
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After his massive debut win on Saturday, The Trident of Knowledge (Andy Stevenson & Donagh Corby) assembled to discuss Paul Hughes and the impact Conor McGregor’s presence had on putting him over in his maiden voyage with Bellator/PFL. The lads give their takes on how McGregor put the Derry man over in the exact way that UFC had hoped he would with…
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The Vicious Version of Paul Hughes | Bellator/PFL still The SBG Show?
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Fight Academy Ireland head coach Liam Shannon gives insight into Paul Hughes’ preparation for his Bellator/PFL debut, sheds light on the current wave of talent at the Belfast gym and considers whether PFL and Bellator have shed the label of being the “SBG Show” with the signing of Hughes. Shannon also talks Rhys McKee’s next move, Paddy McCorry on …
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Paul Hughes talks Bellator Debut, Training with Michael Chandler & Conor McGregor Unfollowing
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Considered the hottest free agent in the sport during his time on the market, Paul Hughes is set to make his Bellator/PFL debut on Saturday at 3 Arena against Bobby King. Petesy interviewed Hughes at Fight Academy Ireland in Belfast where the former Cage Warriors Champion discussed how much his new contract can change his life, his time training wi…
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The latest word surrounding Conor McGregor’s camp is that the Irish superstar is not likely to make an appearance at UFC 303. Donagh Corby joins Petesy from Connecticut to give his take on the on again/off again conversation surrounding McGregor’s meeting with Michael Chandler, what the legacy of this period will be for McGregor should he not fight…
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UFC Manchester Ticket Trauma | Leon Edwards & Tom Aspinall’s Bromance
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Chisanga Malata is back on The Craic to discuss the slew of anguish amongst UFC fans due to the price of UFC Manchester tickets. The lads react to the online onslaught of fans after tickets were released last week, give their thoughts on the budding bromance between Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall and shed light on how Chisanga didn’t end up in Dubli…
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The Craic at Ariel Helwani Live & UFC 302 (w/ New York Ric)
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A globetrotting Petesy greets us in the after tremors of UFC 302 and Ariel Helwani Live to share stories of his wild week in Brick City, with a little help from the great “New York” Eric Jackman, of The MMA Hour fame. Petesy takes us through his journey to the Vox studios, to splitting the G with Frank and GC at the Dead Rabbit, his time at the UFC…
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Caolan Loughran talks Amsterdam with Paul Hughes, Raul Rosas Misinformation, UFC Manchester
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UFC bantamweight and former Cage Warriors champion Caolan Loughran returns to the Craic on the back of collecting his first promotional win at Atlantic City and on the back of his UFC Manchester clash against Ramon Tavares being announced. Loughran discusses the atmosphere among the Irish for his win over Angel Pacheco, being live on the scene as P…
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Conor McGregor & Michael Chandler’s Dublin Face Off | McGregor’s Partying
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The Trident of Knowledge - Petesy Carroll, Donagh Corby and Andy Stevenson - formed to breakdown a massive week of news. After teasing the news for a week on The Craic, Petesy and the lads discuss the announced UFC 303 press conference in Dublin on June 3rd where Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will face off at 3 Arena. The Trident also weigh-i…
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Conor McGregor's Three Fights in 2024? Re-signing with UFC, Nate Diaz at The Sphere & More
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Severe MMA and The Auld Triangle reporter Andy Stevenson returns to The Craic to discuss Conor McGregor’s latest interview with The Mac Life. Do Petesy and Andy believe that McGregor will re-sign with the UFC to fight three times in 2024, and fight Nate Diaz in their trilogy fight at The Sphere. Following his early report on Tuesday’s episode, Pete…
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Is There Still Hope for a UFC Dublin Event?
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There are an abundance of Irish UFC fighters booked for action in close proximity between UFC 303 and 304. The last time this happened in the Summer of ’23, there was genuine conversations within UFC HQ about a UFC Dublin event, so could we rekindle hopes of UFC marquee in the Irish capital should we bank a few wins? As far as Petesy has heard, eve…
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Ian Machado Garry vs. MVP, Cedric Doumbé in Paris, Irish set for UFC Manchester
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Petesy is joined Bloody Elbow reporter and the host of Wanna Fight About It, Donagh Corby, from Paris where is on site covering the Bellator Champion Series event that will se Cedric Doumbé look to avenge his first career loss. Petesy and Donagh also discuss Ian Machado Garry and MVP, Garry wanting to compete at UFC 303 and MVP seemingly wanting th…
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UFC Manchester Venue Set for Official Opening, Under-The-Radar Lerone Murphy
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After all of my belly-aching about the issues with the venue that is scheduled to host UFC Manchester, The Co-op Live is now set for it’s official launch on Tuesday May 14th. Chisanga Malata of Sun Sport joins the show to discuss all the concerns surrounding the venue, whether UFC have a contingency plan if things continue to go badly for the arena…
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UFC Manchester Venue “Fiasco” Continues, Several Events Postponed
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The U.S. start times for July 27’s UFC Manchester card should be the least of fans’ worries as the Co-op Live venue, the arena that is set to host the event, has been embroiled in a “fiasco” which has seen multiple high-profile concert cancelled. Petesy gives a timeline of what has happened with the arena, from gigs being cancelled as fans stand in…
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The Buzz in Rio for UFC 301, Ian Machado Garry in Sao Paulo, Jose Aldo Returns
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Did UFC pack 299 and 300 with Brazilian stars to the point that they couldn’t possibly deliver a massive card in Rio this weekend for UFC 301? How much would Alex Pereira’s presence help the card and is Ian Machado Garry being embraced by the Brazilian people? “The Brazilian Beast,” also known as legendary MMA Fighting journalist Guilherme Cruz joi…
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Paul Hughes Reveals Dublin Debut Opponent for June 22, Teases PFL Manifesto
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Paul “The Big News” Hughes returns to The Craic to reveal his dance partner for his PFL/Bellator debut, which will take place on June 22 at Dublin’s 3 Arena, the Irishman’s first appearance at the celebrated arena. Hughes discusses how it felt when the news of his signing was dropped in the middle of the night during the post-fight press conference…
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The Bizarre Dichotomy of Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano & Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul
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The booking of Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson at Cowboy Stadium has coveted more outrage than any of Paul’s previous boxing adventures. Yet, the co-main event of the marquee belongs to Ireland’s beacon of sporting success, Katie Taylor, and her 2022 Madison Square Garden counterpart, Amanda Serrano. One of boxing journalism’s finest, Gavan Casey of the42…
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Paul Hughes Signing is HUGE for PFL, Making Dana White’s Media Hit Post
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PFL flexed their financial muscle with the signing of Paul Hughes over the weekend, but will the UFC continue to allow top their talent like the Irishman, Cedric Doumbé and reportedly Salahdine Parnasse slip through their fingers? The Trident of Knowledge - featuring Severe MMA’s Andy Stevenson and Bloody Elbow’s Donagh Corby - forms to the discuss…
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What’s the Holdup Announcing UFC Manchester?
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SunSport journalist Chisanga Malata and Petesy have been discussing a potential UFC Manchester event since December on The Craic, but the event is yet to be confirmed. With Tom Aspinall present at UFC 300, and Chisanga on site at the event reporting, it felt like it was an open goal to announce the date that has been rumoured for the all-new Co-op …
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Can Conor McGregor’s Return Be Bigger Than UFC 300?
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Petesy is joined by U.K. correspondent for The Craic, the legendary Sun Sport journalist, Chisanga Malata, to discuss his experience at UFC 300, that Max Holloway finish and the muted Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler announcement. With both lads hearing that McGregor had signed for the bout during the week, they were surprised - given the ample …
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The Boylan Resolution, Major Suitors Court Free Agent Paul Hughes
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Following a drama-filled weekend for Petesy at Cage Warriors 170, the promotion’s president Graham Boylan reached out and the situation is now resolved. Petesy shares the timeline of events which led to the mending of the relationship, which will see him happily continue to cover the European organisation in the future. After that, the Trident of K…
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The Boylan Debacle, James Sheehan’s Title Win, Paul Hughes Enters Free Agency
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Petesy recaps a weekend where he was banned from Cage Warriors 170, became the subject of a baffling “gag”, jousted for his event credential and ultimately witnessed a fantastic night for Irish MMA. Petesy recaps his online and in-person interactions with Cage Warriors president Graham Boylan and speaks to newly crowned welterweight champion James …
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Dublin Oldschool with Andy Ryan and Chris Fields
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Aside from Paul Hughes’ looming free agency, one of the main talking points going into Cage Warriors 170 is Team Ryano vying for a Cage Warriors title for the first time since 2013, when the legendary Neil Seery clinched flyweight gold. Speaking to Andy Ryan, Petesy discusses the golden era of the sport which occurred around the same time while the…
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Paul Hughes: The Hottest Free Agent in MMA after Cage Warriors 170
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Paul Hughes not being signed by the UFC has been one of the great mysteries on the European scene for the past number of years. Ahead of his first round knockout of Jan Quaeyhaegens at Cage Warriors 161, Hughes revealed that he had turned down a short notice debut with the promotion and an opportunity to compete on TUF due to injury. Now, before he…
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Hundreds of Irish Flock to UFC Atlantic City for Caolan Loughran, Rhys McKee
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Former Cage Warriors champions Caolan Loughran and Rhys McKee join The Craic ahead of must-win fights at UFC Atlantic City. Rhys McKee discusses being away from his new-born daughter for the first time, why he is particularly excited about fighting Chidi Njokuani and how this camp feels different to he previous ones. Caolan discusses the influx of …
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Ilia Topuria, Merab Dvalishvili and the Georgian MMA Explosion
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On The Craic, we’ve previously heard about what Ilia Topuria means to Spanish MMA and the broader Hispanic MMA community, but we have never got the perspective from his true homeland, Georgia. Today, Petesy is joined by celebrated Georgian mixed-martial-arts journalist, Giorgi Kokiashvili of Setanta Sports, to discuss how the sport has exploded in …
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The Craic at Bellator Belfast | Dan Hardy, Fabian Edwards, Mick Conlan, Donagh Corby, Nick Baldwin
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Another road edition of The Craic saw Petesy pull a 19-hour shift, part of which he was joined by Donagh Corby as they embarked on a trip up north for Bellator Belfast. Petesy speaks to the legendary Dan Hardy, number one contender to Johnny Eblen's middleweight crown Fabian Edwards, Irish boxing royalty Mick Conlan and the Score's Nick Baldwin. He…
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The Buzz for Bellator in Belfast | Joe McColgan Career Retrospective | Curta’s Impact at FAI
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Former Cage Warriors lightweight champion and a legend of the Irish scene, Joe McColgan joins the The Craic for the very first time to take a look back at his career and to underline the lack of regret he has in terms of not making it to the UFC. A Belfast native, McColgan highlights his surprise that the upcoming Bellator card has not generated mu…
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Big Irish Contingent set for TUF 32, but is the Concept DEAD?
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The Trident of Knowledge form with Donagh Corby and Andy Stevenson returning to The Craic to discuss Omran Chabaan of Team KF and Paddy McCorry of FAI being announced as cast members for the upcoming season of TUF, which begins filming in a little over a week’s time. The trio shed light on the fighters careers up until this point, consider whether …
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MVP’s Already Upset Dana White | Tom Aspinall x Curtis Blaydes 2 at UFC Manchester?
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Michael Venom Page had a perfect introduction to his new promotion at UFC 299. From his spectacular homage to the Undertaker in his entrance, to his signature showboating in the Octagon and his unanimous decision win over Kevin Holland, it went about as well as it could. However, in the post-fight press conference, Dana White underlined that he was…
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Embracing the Chaos at PFL Paris | Dan Hardy on Cedric Doumbé Stoppage
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The stoppage in the main event of PFL Paris may have been the least interesting thing Petesy experienced on his trip to the City of Light. Petesy gives his take on the passion of the fan base, the (wild) enthusiasm of the media and explains why he feels MMA has gone mainstream in France in a way that it never did in the U.K. and Ireland. He also ex…
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Victory for Cedric Doumbé at PFL Paris Can Take French Superstar Global
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Cedric Doumbé’s debut for PFL in Paris last year was one of the great moments of 2023. In his first showcase since, the kickboxing champion looks to remain undefeated when he clashes with an opponent from his old stomping ground, MMA Factory, who also represents the toughest test of his MMA carer to date, the undefeated Baysangur “Baki” Chamsoudino…
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Ilia Topuria Receives Hero’s Welcome at the Home of Real Madrid
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Ilia Topuria has become an overnight sensation in Spain on the back of his UFC 298 title win over Alexander Volkanovski. Since returning home he has been received by the President of Spain, been given a hero’s welcome at the Santiago Bernabéu and has had record-breaking appearances on one of Spain’s most beloved primetime TV shows. The great Gonzal…
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How Can Ian Machado Garry Win the Irish Back?
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Friend of the podcast, Philip O’Connor, is one of the most experienced sports journalists Ireland has ever produced. Having covered stars from all different backgrounds on the biggest stages in the world - including World Cups and Olympic Games - we ask, what must Ian Machado Garry and his team do to win back favour among the Irish fan base and Iri…
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Can Yair Rodriguez Clinch Spanish Showdown with Ilia Topuria?
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After his sensational debut on The Craic last week ahead of Ilia Topuria’s title capture at UFC 298, Danny Segura of Hablemos MMA and MMA Junkie returns from Mexico City to discuss the implications of Yair Rodriguez’s showdown with Brian Ortega in the co-main event of this weekend’s UFC card. Segura gives insight into the reaction amongst Hispanic …
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Ian Machado Garry vs. Colby Covington at UFC Dublin?
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The fantastic Dublin duo of Donagh Corby and Andy Stevenson return to The Craic to give their thoughts on Ian Machado Garry’s UFC 298 performance. The trio - who would prefer to be referred to as “The Trident of Knowledge” hence forth - discussed Machado Garry’s appearance on The MMA Hour, the need for him to engage broader Irish media outside of t…
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Are the Irish Invested in Ian Garry’s UFC 298 Clash with Geoff Neal?
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Donagh Corby returns to The Craic to discuss whether Ian Garry is gaining the same traction among Irish MMA fans compared to the country’s other UFC charges. The D15 duo give their thoughts on Garry’s clash with Geoff Neal, contemplate the Dubliner’s readiness for the Anaheim date compared to his last scheduled outing with Vicente Luque amidst the …
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Ilia Topuria Can Become UFC’s Biggest European Star Since Conor McGregor at UFC 298
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The great Danny Segura of the Hablemos MMA Podcast and MMA Junkie joins Petesy Carroll to discuss how Ilia Topuria has become a star in his adopted home of Spain. Segura discusses how Topuria has garnered mainstream coverage nationally and how his dreams of competing at the home of Real Madrid, Santiago Bernabéu, may be a reality. With pound-for-po…
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The French MMA Boom - Paris the New Capital of Euro MMA
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Farah Hannoun of MMA Junkie has given the French MMA scene a bigger spotlight than anyone across the major MMA publications. Joining the The Craic this week, she gives her take on Paris being the new capital of European MMA and debates whether PFL’s Cedric Doumbé is more popular than former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou nationally. The v…
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A Visit to Team Renegade, the Home of UFC Champion Leon Edwards
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Petesy take us behind the scenes of an upcoming project he is working on with surging apparel powerhouse, Montirex, which will focus on the crown jewel of U.K. MMA, Leon Edwards.By Petesy Carroll
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Rhys McKee on Chidi Njokuani, Atlantic City, Ryan Curtis and Fatherhood
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Rhys McKee returned to The Craic to discuss his March 30th date with seasoned veteran Chidi Njokuani who returns to welterweight for the first time since 2016 when they meet in Atlantic City. McKee shares his feelings on becoming father, the Irish contingent that are said to be arriving in Atlantic City to support him and Caolan Loughran and the tr…
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The Disappearance and Re-emergence of Jack Cartwright
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During the pandemic, Jack Cartwright was bantamweight champion of Cage Warriors and considered one of the best prospects in European MMA. After a forgettable DQ win over Sylwester Miller, the word was that the Manchester native would be given an opportunity on Contender Series to prove he was UFC calibre. The opportunity came a whopping seventeen m…
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Caolan Loughran Training Alongside Henry Cejudo in Arizona
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Caolan Loughran was dealt an almighty swich-a-roo in his UFC debut last September in Paris which resulted in his first professional defeat. Now, booked for his sophomore outing against Angel Pacheco in Atlantic City on March 30, he has ventured to Arizona for a three-week training camp at Fight Ready, the stomping ground of UFC champions like Henry…
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Tom Aspinall’s UFC Manchester Opponent, Irish MMA Rallies for Ryan Curtis
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After their lofty aspirations for the proposed UFC Manchester in July, Petesy Carroll welcomed back U.K. journalist Chisanga Malata so they could walk back their hopes of joint headline event with Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall at the top of the bill. Following the devastating news of Irish flyweight Ryan Curtis suffering a career-ending injury last…
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