Joseph Duffy to make UFC return this Saturday night

Joseph Duffy returns to the octagon on Saturday when he faces James Vick at UFC 217 in Madison Square Garden. 

Duffy takes on Vick in a lightweight bout that is the Burtonport man’s first contest since signing a new seven-fight contract with the UFC in July.

Duffy had entered free agency following a points win over Reza Madadi in London in March, but signed on the dotted line with the UFC franchise again in the summer.

The Donegal-born fighter is 16-2 as a mixed martial artist with a 4-1 UFC record, the blemish on that his points loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 195.

Duffy grew up in Wales, but has never lost sight of his Donegal roots.

“From day one, right back to my Cage Warriors days, that’s what my inspiration and drive was,” Duffy said.

“I remember hearing about the bars being full at home with people who were watching the Cage Warriors live streams.

“That spurred me on even more.

“Every training camp, I remember the thoughts of people sitting in the bar watching the fight and everyone who traveled over, and that’s always been one of my inspirations. And that’s not to even mention all the fans from Wales and England who have followed me. It all means a lot to me.”

30-year-old Vick is 11-1 as a mixed martial artist, his last fight in May when he defeated Marco Polo Reyes via a first round TKO in Dallas.