Must-win UFC bouts for Rhys McKee and Caolan Loughran can muster momentum for Irish MMA

Mixed martial arts organisations PFL and Bellator constantly attempt to mine Ireland for the iconic scenes witnessed a decade ago at UFC Dublin, but they may have looked elsewhere, as hundreds of Irish fans are set to flock to Atlantic City to support Rhys McKee and Caolan Loughran in their must-win UFC clashes on Saturday.

Outside of Ian Machado-Garry, a rare talent who has had difficulty stimulating intrigue at home, there has been an absence of momentum among the Irish within the world's flagship MMA promotion.

In Conor McGregor’s heyday, there was broad interest in his beloved supporting cast, with the likes of Cathal Pendred, Aisling Daly, Neil Seery, Norman Parke, Paddy Holohan, Joseph Duffy and Gunnar Nelson claiming valuable wins during their tenures with Dana White’s organisation.

Stakes

Both looking for their first UFC wins, there are hopes that McKee and Loughran can spark life back into national mixed martial arts fandom.

However, anything less than victory could see them ousted from the promotion - the cruel reality of top-tier combat sports.

McKee is already one of the most accomplished fighters the island has produced. The only Irish MMA competitor to win titles with both European promotions BAMMA and Cage Warriors, 'Skeletor' has produced spectacular moments.

In 2016, a week after burying his father, the Ballymena man knocked out current UFC fighter Jai Herbert.

After two consecutive losses in his first run with UFC, he went back to the regional scene and claimed Cage Warriors gold with a stoppage win over highly rated prospect Justin Burlinson before defending it with another stoppage against UK legend Jimmy Wallhead.

Both victories were elevated by a backdrop of frenzied scenes at the SSE Arena in Belfast and