Whilst Dana White claimed in 2015 that an outdoor MMA show would be “difficult” to host in Ireland due to the adverse weather, Fight Academy Ireland’s Head Coach Liam Shannon has defied the UFC President’s trepidations about such an event with the fourth installment of “Cage Conflict” set to take place in the Falls Park on the 12th of August, in the middle of West Belfast’s Feile an Phobail (“Festival of the People”).
Established as a proving ground for rising regional stars in Irish MMA, Cage Conflict debuted in 2019 in The Devenish Complex in front of a sold out crowd, and marked a much anticipated return of MMA shows in West Belfast. The popularity of this event lead to two more events, before the pandemic brought an end to live MMA shows on the island of Ireland entirely. Making up for lost time, Cage Conflict 4 is set to be one of the largest attended MMA events in Irish history, with over 3000 people expected to be in attendance for the 35 scheduled MMA bouts.
There’s plenty of talking points to address with Cage Conflict 4: With five title-belts set to be on the line, the professional debut of Paddy McCorry and an appearance by Cage Warriors Flyweight Ciaran “The Dark Horse” Mulholland, there’s plenty of meat on the bone for fight fans to digest. Further to this, appearances on Cage Conflict cards are highly sought after by international promoters, with former Cage Conflict fighters Paul Hughes, Kyle McClurken and Glenn McVeigh securing contacts in major promotions off the back of winning performances.
Perhaps what fundamentally separates Cage Conflict 4 from other MMA events is the promised electric atmosphere at the Feile Festival: Hot off the heels of Michael Conlan’s World Title winning performance against TJ Doheny, the festival has historically showcased some of the most exciting combat sports events Ireland has ever seen. And whilst the festival has never hosted an MMA event previously, it’s no surprise that they have chosen this year’s festival to do just that, in the historic Falls Park.
Tickets are still available for the show, and can be purchased here: https://www.ticketmaster.ie/cage-conflict-4-belfast-12-08-2021/event/38005AEEB2DD0EC3
FIGHTERS: Cage Warriors fighter Ciaran Mulholland and Paddy McCorry are scheduled to take the cage on August 12th. 
HISTORY: Cage Conflict 4 marks the debut of MMA at the Feile Festival. 
SCHEDULE: 35 fights (amateur and professional) have been scheduled in multiple divisions, for multiple belts. 
REPUTATION: Former Champion Paul Hughes posing for a picture in 2019. Paul has since signed for Cage Warriors and fights for the Cage Warriors Featherweight Title in October. 
GOLD: Some of the belts being contested on August 12th at Cage Conflict 4.
Conflict Collective 