MMA
Brett Okamoto, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Joseph Duffy: Last to defeat Conor McGregor

DALLAS -- Joseph Duffy might as well wear a sign around his neck that reads, "Last man to defeat Conor McGregor."

The 27-year-old Irishman has competed in some form of martial arts for the last 22 years, but to many, he is defined by a 38-second submission victory against McGregor in November 2010. McGregor, of course, hasn't lost since.

Heading into his UFC debut Saturday against Jake Lindsey, Duffy (12-1) isn't exactly embracing his claim to fame, but he's not hiding from it either.

When asked if he believes he would be signed to the UFC right now were it not for that win nearly five years ago, Duffy responds honestly.

"Probably not," Duffy told ESPN.com. "The truth is, not as quick. Maybe it would have took one or two more fights. Obviously, with as much as Conor blew up, I think my win over him is what's created hype around me straight away."

The UFC lightweight probably isn't giving himself enough credit. Although most know of Duffy only by his McGregor win, his previous accolades don't end there.

Duffy made his professional MMA debut in March 2008. Two years into his career, he tried out for "The Ultimate Fighter" reality series and just missed making it into the house, losing via submission to Kyle Watson in the opening elimination round.

The McGregor fight was Duffy's first after the TUF experience. McGregor, who will fight Jose Aldo for the UFC featherweight title in July, cut Duffy with a straight left in the opening exchange -- but Duffy immediately took him down and secured an arm-triangle.

Although the fight lasted less than one minute, Duffy says McGregor left an impression on him and he followed his rise closely from that moment on.

"To be honest, when I fought Conor it was the first time I felt someone really got the better of me in one specific area," Duffy said. "At that time, I felt he had better timing and picked his shots better. So, I remember his fight, I was keeping an eye on him. I knew he had talent."

Duffy went on to win three of his next four MMA fights, but in 2011 he moved from Ireland to London and started closely working with a boxing coach. When his manager worked a deal for him to turn pro in the boxing ring, with sponsors already signed up to pay him, Duffy took the opportunity.

He fought seven times as a professional boxer in 2013, compiling a perfect record with two knockouts. Things went well in the ring, but Duffy experienced issues with recurring hand injuries and eventually elected to return to the cage last year.

It didn't hurt that at the same time he was transitioning back to MMA, McGregor was dominating headlines and closing in on UFC title contention.

Duffy, who trained for Saturday's fight at Tristar Gym in Montreal, knows he holds a potential ace up his sleeve with the McGregor win. The thought of calling McGregor out immediately is certainly not lost on him, but it's not in his DNA -- and his plans in the UFC are more long-term than one big money fight.

"Of course, who doesn't want to make money in a fight like that?" Duffy said. "But I've got bigger targets than that. I'm looking to go to the top. I want to be one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Great things aren't generally built in straight lines. There are learning curves in this, and that's how I'll take it."

When Duffy walks to the cage on Saturday during the UFC 185 prelim bouts, expect to hear about his past. Expect to hear about a win back in March 2010 against UFC lightweight Norman Parke. And definitely expect to hear about that 38-second fight against McGregor.

How long will that reputation follow Duffy? He shrugs and says he doesn't know. He doesn't see it as a blessing or a curse. It's what he's currently known for, but if he achieves what he's aspiring toward, it won't be what he's remembered for.

"The truth is this game moves so fast," Duffy said. "It could take awhile or it could change in a minute. That's the way it is. But for now, I'm not too bothered by the label. It is what it is. Hopefully, I'll draw a different type of attention soon. People will look at me and say, 'He's well worth watching.'"

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