Joseph Duffy (fighter)

Joseph Duffy
Seosamh Ó Dubhthaigh
Born 18 February 1988
County Donegal, Ireland
Other names Irish Joe
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight 155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
Division Lightweight
Welterweight
Reach 73 in (185 cm)
Style Boxing, Kickboxing, Ju-Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Stance Orthodox
Fighting out of Donegal, Ireland
Team Tristar Gym
Rank Black belt in Taekwondo under Heath Gait
Black belt in Ju-Jitsu under Heath Gait
Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Firas Zahabi
Years active 2008–2021
Professional boxing record
Total 10
Wins 10
By knockout 2
Losses 0
Kickboxing record
Total 7
Wins 7
Losses 0
Mixed martial arts record
Total 21
Wins 16
By knockout 4
By submission 10
By decision 2
Losses 5
By knockout 1
By submission 2
By decision 2
Amateur record
Total 2
Wins 2
By submission 2
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Joseph Duffy (born 18 February 1988) is an Irish retired mixed martial artist who competed in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2008, he has formerly competed for Cage Warriors and was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck. He is also a former professional boxer. He holds a notable victory over the former UFC lightweight and featherweight double-champion, Conor McGregor.

Early life

Duffy is from Meenbanad, Burtonport, County Donegal. His family emigrated when he was young to the industrial town of Ebbw Vale in Wales, from where they travelled back and forth to Burtonport regularly.

Duffy is an avid rugby fan, and growing up he says "I would always have made it known I wasn’t from Wales", which made his support for Ireland during the Six Nations a bit difficult sometimes. He claimed "if Ireland lost in the rugby, I would try to skip the next day at school, just to avoid the hassle it would bring". Duffy also played the sport through his youth, and despite captaining his school’s rugby team, it was martial arts that always occupied the majority of Duffy’s time. He started with taekwon-do before progressing to traditional jiu-jitsu, a foundation that eventually led him to a career in professional MMA.

Boxing career

Despite knowing from an early age that he wanted to be a MMA fighter, Duffy said "I always wondered how I would get on in boxing". He continued "it was never something I thought about pursuing. I had never boxed, even at amateur, until a few years ago". Duffy cited "the opportunity to work with one of the best coaches in the boxing world" as the main reason for his switch, and the chance "to spar with some of the best fighters in the world; James DeGale, Andy Lee, George Groves, Chris Eubank, Jr.", something he deemed "priceless". The decision was then made even easier, with Duffy explaining "I was fortunate enough to have sponsors to back me as well. That took care of the financial worries".

When reflecting on the experience, he stated "More than anything, I’m a person who doesn’t want to have any regrets. When I’m old I want to be able to say that I gave it a go. That’s what it was. I got to fight professionally and I got to spar with some of the best fighters in the world".

Mixed martial arts career

Duffy started his career as a welterweight, fighting in various regional promotions across the UK. Duffy defeated the former UFC two-weight champion, Conor McGregor, and Northern Irishman Norman Parke, who later went on to the join the UFC. It was after this fight that Duffy signed with Cage Warriors, the biggest MMA promotion in Europe.

The Ultimate Fighter

In February 2010, Duffy was announced as a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter 12 where he competed as a lightweight. In his first fight, Duffy lost to Kyle Watson via rear-naked choke in the first round, and was subsequently eliminated from the show.

Cage Warriors Fighting Championship

Duffy made his name and rose to prominence while fighting under the CWFC banner. In his first bout with the promotion, Duffy submitted Conor McGregor, another Irish fighter who went on to UFC stardom.

In 2011, Duffy earned a Cage Warriors title shot against Ivan Musardo. Duffy lost the fight, breaking his hand in the third round, and being subsequently submitted in the fourth.

Following his recovery, Duffy switched his attention to pro boxing. He amassed a 7–0 record before returning to Cage Warriors in 2014. Duffy's first fight back was against Frenchman, Damien Lapilus. Duffy won via rear-naked choke, 2 minutes and 18 seconds into the third round.

Three months later he defeated another Frenchman, Julien Boussuge. This time detecting his opponent's intention for a takedown, and connecting a clean knee to the head when Boussuge changed levels. It was an instant knockout.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In January 2015, the UFC announced they had signed Duffy.

Duffy was expected to make his promotional debut against Vagner Rocha on 14 March 2015 at UFC 185. However, Rocha pulled out of the bout in early February citing injury and was replaced by Jake Lindsey. Duffy won the fight via TKO in the first round after wobbling his opponent with a head kick and then dropping Lindsey with a body shot, forcing the stoppage.

Duffy faced Ivan Jorge on 18 July 2015 at UFC Fight Night 72. He won the fight via submission in the first round. He also earned a Performance of the Night bonus.

Duffy was expected to face Dustin Poirier on 24 October 2015 at UFC Fight Night 76. However, Duffy pulled out of the fight on 21 October citing a concussion he incurred during a sparring session. In turn, the pairing was rescheduled, and took place on 2 January 2016 at UFC 195. Duffy lost the fight by unanimous decision (30–26, 30–27, 30–27).

Duffy next faced Mitch Clarke on 7 July 2016 at UFC Fight Night 90. He won the fight via submission in the opening minute of the first round.

Duffy faced Reza Madadi on 18 March 2017 at UFC Fight Night 107. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

On 13 July 2017, Duffy's manager Graham Boylan revealed Duffy had signed a new seven-fight contract with UFC.

Duffy faced James Vick on 4 November 2017 at UFC 217. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

Duffy was expected to face Ross Pearson on 2 December 2018 at UFC Fight Night 142. However, Pearson announced on 7 November that he was out of the bout due to a broken nose and subsequent surgery to correct the injury. and he was replaced by newcomer M-1 Global Lightweight Champion Damir Ismagulov. In turn Duffy pulled out from the event, citing a rib injury.

Duffy faced Marc Diakiese on 16 March 2019 at UFC Fight Night 147. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Duffy faced Joel Álvarez on 19 July 2020 at UFC Fight Night 172. He lost the fight via a guillotine choke in round one. After the fight, Duffy announced his retirement from MMA competition.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
21 matches 16 wins 5 losses
By knockout 4 1
By submission 10 2
By decision 2 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 16–5 Joel Álvarez Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2 19 July 2020 1 2:25 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Loss 16–4 Marc Diakiese Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Till vs. Masvidal 16 March 2019 3 5:00 London, England
Loss 16–3 James Vick TKO (punches) UFC 217 4 November 2017 2 4:59 New York City, New York, United States
Win 16–2 Reza Madadi Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Manuwa vs. Anderson 18 March 2017 3 5:00 London, England
Win 15–2 Mitch Clarke Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Alvarez 7 July 2016 1 0:25 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 14–2 Dustin Poirier Decision (unanimous) UFC 195 2 January 2016 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 14–1 Ivan Jorge Submission (triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Leites 18 July 2015 1 3:05 Glasgow, Scotland Performance of the Night.
Win 13–1 Jake Lindsey TKO (head kick and body punch) UFC 185 14 March 2015 1 1:47 Dallas, Texas, United States
Win 12–1 Julien Boussuge KO (knee) CWFC 74 15 November 2014 1 0:36 London, England
Win 11–1 Damien Lapilus Submission (rear-naked choke) CWFC 70 16 August 2014 3 2:18 Dublin, Ireland
Loss 10–1 Ivan Musardo Submission (guillotine choke) Cage Warriors 44 1 October 2011 4 4:25 Kentish Town, England For the vacant CWFC Lightweight Championship.
Win 10–0 Francis Heagney Decision (unanimous) Cage Warriors 43 9 July 2011 3 5:00 Kentish Town, England
Win 9–0 Oriol Gaset TKO (punches) Cage Warriors 42 28 May 2011 1 2:46 Cork City, Ireland
Win 8–0 Tom Maguire Submission (triangle choke) Cage Warriors 40 26 February 2011 1 4:47 Kentish Town, England
Win 7–0 Conor McGregor Submission (arm-triangle choke) Cage Warriors 39 27 November 2010 1 0:38 Cork City, Ireland
Win 6–0 Norman Parke Submission (rear-naked choke) Spartan Fight Challenge 3 20 March 2010 1 3:06 Newport, Wales Lightweight debut.
Win 5–0 Sebastien Grandin Submission (triangle choke) KnuckleUp MMA 3 1 November 2009 1 1:36 Newport, Wales
Win 4–0 Marius Buzinskas Submission (rear-naked choke) Spartan Fight Challenge 1 11 July 2009 1 N/A Somerset, England
Win 3–0 James Bryan Submission (rear-naked choke) KnuckleUp MMA 1 29 May 2009 1 1:55 Somerset, England
Win 2–0 Ciaran Fry Submission (triangle choke) Angrrr Management 18: Holly Brawl 13 December 2008 1 1:24 Weston-super-Mare, England
Win 1–0 Mick Broster TKO (doctor stoppage) Angrrr Management 15: The Octagon Club 29 March 2008 1 2:33 Kidderminster, England

Mixed martial arts exhibition and amateur record

Professional record breakdown
3 matches 2 wins 1 loss
By submission 2 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 2–1 Kyle Watson Submission (rear-naked choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck 15 September 2010 (air date) 1 3:33 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States TUF 12 preliminary round.
Win 2–0 Adam Stanton Submission (triangle choke) Angrrr Management 9: Southern Agrrression 4 2 July 2006 1 1:34 Weston Super Mare, England
Win 1–0 Tim Newman Submission (triangle choke) Grapple & Strike 9 21 May 2005 1 2:05 Ebbw Vale, Wales

Professional boxing record

7 fights 7 wins 0 losses
By knockout 2 0
By decision 5 0
No. Result Record Opponent Method Round, time Date Location Notes
7 Win 7–0 Attila Tibor Nagy PTS 6 2013-11-22 Camden Centre, Kings Cross, London, England
6 Win 6–0 Ionut Trandafir Ilie PTS 6 2013-09-07 Bärengarten, Ravensburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
5 Win 5–0 Jay Morris PTS 6 2013-07-27 York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England
4 Win 4–0 James Conroy TKO 3 (4) 2013-05-11 Camden Centre, Kings Cross, London, England
3 Win 3–0 Gilson De Jesus PTS 4 2013-03-23 Camden Centre, Kings Cross, London, England
2 Win 2–0 Paul Morby TKO 2 (4) 2013-03-08 Coronet Theatre, Elephant & Castle, London, England
1 Win 1–0 Angelo Crowe PTS 4 2013-03-02 Oceana, Swansea, Wales

See also