The mastermind behind the UFC's success, White, didn't offer any further specifics on the promotion and the plans for an Irish show.

The UFC visited the Republic of Ireland in January 2009, and hit the O2 in Dublin there were 9,369 overexcited fans turned out for UFC 93, a card that had Dan Henderson take a split-decision win over Rich Franklin for the main event.

In June 2007, the UFC visited Northern Ireland's capital city, Belfast, for UFC 72. Although just 7,850 fans turned out for the first UFC in Northern Ireland, the event was noted for an electric atmosphere.

Franklin also handled main-event duties that night in a unanimous-decision win over Japan's Yushin Okami.