After two previous attempts that have failed to come to fruition, Irish flyweight veteran Neil Seery will hope it’s third time lucky at UFC Glasgow, as he aims to bow out of the sport close to home, when he takes on former TUF competitor Alexandre Pantoja.
The fight announcement was first reported by The Irish Mirror earlier this morning.
The 37-year-old had previously announced he would retire in front of his home fans after fighting Ian McCall at UFC Fight Night 99 in Belfast, Northern Ireland back in November. However, the bout was cancelled on short notice due to his Californian opponent’s weight cutting issues. A renewed attempt by the promotion to help Seery retire was made for UFC 208 in Brooklyn, New York, but it was again not meant to be, as the Irishman was forced to withdraw from the rescheduled bout due to the passing of his mother-in-law.
UFC Glasgow will take place on Sunday, July 16 at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland and will feature top Scottish prospects Paul Craig and Stevie Ray, as well as a host of British talent, such as Jack Marshman, Brett Johns and former BAMMA heavyweight champion Mark Godbeer.
Irish MMA legend Seery signed for the UFC back in 2014 and has went 3-3 during his time with the promotion where he has fought notable opponents such as Brad Pickett and Louis Smolka. Prior to that, “2-Tap” made his name around the British and Irish regional circuit fighting in RINGS and BAMMA before settling in Cage Warriors. It was there that Seery experienced a peak in his long career as he defeated Mikael Silander to lift the Cage Warriors flyweight title in his hometown of Dublin.
Up-and-coming Nova Uniao fighter Pantoja is a former RFA flyweight champion and was a competitor on TUF: Tournament of Champions where he made it to the semi-finals. The Brazilian was last defeated back in 2010 by fellow UFC flyweight Jussier Formiga in Shooto Brazil and is currently riding a ten-fight win streak.
With Pantoja ten years the Irishman’s junior, it will certainly be a tough test for the Team Ryano fighter on his final farewell however regardless of the result, it’s sure to be an emotional night for Seery in Scotland.
UFC Glasgow Fight Card
Stevie Ray vs. Paul Felder
Paul Craig vs. Khalil Rountree
Jack Marshman vs. Ryan Janes
Mark Godbeer vs. Justin Willis
Charlie Ward vs. Galore Bofando
Danny Roberts vs. Bobby Nash
Brett Johns vs. Mitch Gagnon
