UFC boss Dana White: ‘We are going to Cork’

Fight promoter pledges Cork return for Callum Walsh, fumes over controversial decision that sees Kerry's Kevin Cronin lose 

UFC CEO and President Dana White congratulates Callum Walsh after the fight at the 3Arena. Pic: Laszlo Geczo, Inpho

As a sporting occasion, it was an outright success. It is harder to ascertain as a business venture. For Dana White, the hope is that Callum Walsh’s victory at the 3Arena will lead to something bigger closer to his Cork home.

The unbeaten junior middleweight from Cobh retained his WBC Continental Americas title with a second-round knockout of Przemyslaw Runowski in Dublin. In front of a 4,649 crowd, Walsh headlined the bill that was broadcast live on UFC Fight Pass and TNT Sports.

It was promoted as Walsh’s homecoming bout, but he has long pushed for a chance to fight in Cork. UFC boss White, who was heavily involved in organising and promoting the event, promised to deliver it.

“We are going to Cork,” said White afterwards. “We got to go to Cork. I’ve never been there; we’ll make it happen. When? I don’t know. Where he goes next? I don’t know. Talk to Tom (Loeffler) and see what is next for him.” When asked if the event had been profitable, Walsh’s promoter Tom Loeffler of 360 Promotions said he viewed it as an investment in the future. White was seated ringside for the card while Walsh and Dublin heavyweight Thomas Carty received a $5000 bonus for performance of the night.

The Freddie-Roach-trained Walsh brought his record to 12-0 (10 KO) with a second-round knockout to ignite a raucous crowd.

“There is nothing like it,” said White, who once again said he wants to stage a Conor McGregor show at Croke Park.

“Any time you come to the UK and Ireland; it is a whole different vibe over here. The way you support your people, the singing, the cheering, it is something special. I tell people all the time in the States and other parts of the world who have never been here, you got to do it. Next time we come back we got to do Cork and really bring him home.” 

White was also strongly critical of the judging that saw Kerry native Kevin Cronin lose out on the Celtic super-middleweight title against Tokyo Olympian Emmett Brennan. Cronin was furious after going down on a split decision.

“It was really bad,” said White. “You could never watch a fight in your life and you know who won the fight tonight. It was that bad. Obviously, it is something we don’t control. I think what needs to happen, it is never perfect and it happens in my sport too but tonight was so bad. It is tough to justify. It is one of the things I will work on and try to fix. Maybe next time we come we bring some international judges too.” 

He continued: “He was a 4/1 dog and he came out and won that fight tonight. Clearly won the fight and he lost. That is devastating to the kid’s career. It is brutal.”