Kingdom MMA talk to Joseph Duffy ahead of Cage Warriors 70
by Alex Dillon @_AlexDillon_
Joseph Duffy the man who everyone knows as the guy who submitted the UFC’s Conor McGregor four years ago makes his eagerly anticipated return to MMA competition next weekend in the main event at Cage Warriors 70 in Dublin after a three year absence which included a hugely successful 7-0 stint as a professional boxer. Holding a 10-1 record in MMA, Duffy is one hell of an exciting fighter with seven submission victories. I recently spoke to Duffy about his impending return as well as his pro boxing career.
Alex: So you’ve made your transition back into MMA after a 3 year hiatus, why did you decide to switch to boxing and what made you come back to MMA after being so successful in your pro boxing career?
Duffy: I just felt like it was a massive opportunity to work with a world class coach and obviously I had nothing to lose because I could always come back to mma with improved boxing.
The reason for leaving was mainly due to hand injuries and mma was always my passion so the two together kinda made the decision for me.
Alex: You have signed a 5 fight deal with Cage Warriors, are you done with boxing, or do you plan on competing in MMA and boxing simultaneously?
Duffy: I'm done with boxing. I enjoyed the experience and I have no regrets but now I'm just concentrating on being the best martial artist I can be.
Alex: What does MMA offer you that boxing never could, and if your heart was always in MMA what was the reasoning behind moving away from it in the first place?
Duffy: I love the versatility of mma. Every fight and style is like a puzzle and it's finding the right tool for the job. Boxing you have the same thing but on a smaller scale obviously cause it's totally limited to just hands.
Again, the main reason was I saw it as a huge opportunity to work with a world class coach on my door step.
Alex: Do you believe that your boxing skills give you a distinct advantage over other fighters that only possess "MMA level striking"?
Duffy: Yeah 100%! I'm not saying I'm going to box the head off everyone because there's so much more to my game than that. I just feel like I have a significant advantage after specialising in that area for so long.
Alex: Onto Cage Warriors 70 in Dublin, how do you feel about returning to Cage Warriors and headlining a card in Ireland?
Duffy: Excited!! What fighter doesn't wanna headline a massive show especially when it's at home?!
Alex: Tell us about your opponent Damien Lapilus, have you studied him at all in the build up to this fight?
Duffy: He's decent all rounder, all the guys coming out of France seem to be legit and it's a tough fight back for me but it's a fight I know I can win!
Alex: What do you think he does well, and on the flip side do you think he has any weaknesses you can exploit?
Duffy: I seen a few weaknesses in his game that I believe I can exploit but fighters are always evolving so I'll know exactly what I'm dealing with on the 16th.
Alex: Yourself and Lapilus have numerous submission victories on your records, is your game plan going to be tailored to this and do you see the fight being won on the ground?
Duffy: Only time will tell
Alex: With the recent success of Irish MMA at the elite level within the UFC as well as the European promotions, how much of a change have you seen in the local gyms and grass roots for Irish MMA?
Duffy: Well I'm training in London so I can't really comment but it's gotta have a huge impact with the success of all these Irish athletes.
Alex: There is a lot of hype around fellow Irishman Conor McGregor a man that you have a submission victory over. What do you think of all the hysteria surrounding the man you put away in just 38 seconds?
Duffy: I think the proof is in the pudding. He's beat good guys and made it look easy, just shows the level Conor is at!
Alex: We’ve seen the likes of Conor McGregor and Norman Parke who you hold victories over, have successful openings to their UFC careers, has this given you even more motivation to create your own path to success?
Duffy: Of course!! Before I switched to boxing that was my goal anyway, and seeing how well them lads are doing I want to be up there with them fighting the top 20 in the world.
Alex: With wins over McGregor and Parke and the recent explosion of Irish MMA within the UFC, do you feel with a couple of impressive victories, your could be pushing for a place on the UFCs return to Dublin next year?
Duffy: Yeah I suppose it's more than possible! I think the UFC like exciting fighters and some good performances would put me right up there, but right now I'm concentrating on Cage Warriors and my five fights with them.
Alex: Is a place in the UFC something you set as a goal when you decided to return to MMA?
Duffy: Definitely, I just want to be the best martial artist I can be and enjoy the journey. I believe in doing that UFC is inevitable.
Alex: Given that you have yet to lose in your pro boxing career, and the fact you have been away from MMA for so long, is this fight make or break for you? If you were to lose will you carry on in MMA?
Duffy: Nah I would definitely carry on. I love MMA it's something I was doing as a hobby before it ever became a career so giving up isn't really an option. When you've been in martial arts since the age of five and your whole live revolves around it like mine does, it becomes a part of who you are.
Alex: Finally Joseph, how do you see yourself winning this fight?
Duffy: I don't really give predictions but I believe it will be a corker for the fans!
Alex: Is there anyone you would like to give a shout out to in the lead up to Cage Warriors 70?
Duffy: There's millions,
Graham Boylan and all the Cage Warriors staff for having me back on the show! All the guys coaching me and helping me train Rich Mitchell, Joe Haynes, Michael Russell, Mickey Papas, Chris Carley, Paul Hines, Tony White, Bola Omoyele, Ashleigh Grimshaw.
To all my sponsors Creative City, AT, London Fight Store, Funky Gums, DNA Sports and Massage Lab.
Also a massive thanks to my girlfriend, family and friends for all the support and not but least to the fans for welcoming me back it all means a lot.
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