Conor McGregor - ‘The country will shut down for this’

The UFC announced its arrival in Dublin last night in the venerable surrounds of the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham — a fitting venue, all told, given the fare that will be on offer at a packed 02 arena tomorrow evening.

Twenty-two fighters will take to the octagon this weekend and it was apparent from yesterday’s press conference and subsequent open night for a select number of fans that this is not just about the headline act.

Fighters including the Americans Ian McCall and Zak Cummings, London’s Brad Pickett and Northern Ireland’s Norman Parke generated considerable interest among journalists and assorted others for whom this niche sport is their main religion.