DIAMOND DON
Sparkle returns after big win for Irishman UFC with GARY HITCHCOCK
PRESSURE makes diamonds and Caolan Loughran put himself under plenty of it to produce a sparkling performance in Atlantic City, inspired by the UFC’s own precious jewel.
‘The Don’ proved he’s far from done as he finally got his octagon career up and running with a unanimous decision victory over a game Angel Pacheco.
The Irish bantamweight, a former Cage Warriors champion, is a hot prospect but lost a close decision on debut to Taylor Lapilus last September in Paris.
However, taking inspiration from fan favourite Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier, who made his name with back-to-back victories over Conor McGregor in 2021, Loughran put his one and only defeat behind him and is now determined to climb the 135lb division.
The 27-year-old, who is now 9-1, said: “I put a lot of pressure on myself, especially coming in from my last fight. I really did put pressure on myself.
“I am normally quite a chilled guy – I don’t get too high on the highs or too low on the lows.
“I am just really grateful to be a young man from Tyrone, Ireland, living his dream in Atlantic City – it’s f***ing nuts!
“Experience is a b ***** d and you cannot buy it and while I am no one’s fan boy, a guy I do look up to is Dustin, especially the way he talks about the journey and built everything with these [his fists].
“I love hearing that guy talk about how much he learns from fighting and how he comes out of it a better man. And I genuinely come out of these fights as an elevated version of myself.
“The last one I took so much from it up here [points to head].
“There are competition reps and then there are fight reps – and then there are f***ing UFC reps.
Live MMA competitions, I love it, it is like a drug.
“I have known since I was a kid that I would be here (in the UFC). Where I grew up, kids wanted to play for Liverpool or Manchester United. I wanted to fight in the UFC. It was all I wanted to do.”
Loughran is hoping to claim a spot on the rumoured Manchester card this July, calling out fellow prospect Raul Rosas Jr after getting his hand raised against Pacheco.
Plotting his path to the top, he added: “I am only at the start of my career here. I am here to be UFC bantamweight champion.
“Of course I want to be a f***ing star in the division – I want the big fights, I want my name up in lights in Vegas – but without victories that is just bull **** talk and you would be delusional.
“This fight was all about, ‘Say less, do more and get in and win.’”