Ian Garry continued his fine form since his move to the UFC with a unanimous welterweight victory over Darian Weeks in Jacksonville last night.
Despite having to fight with his back to the fence throughout the three-round contest, the 24-year-old Dubliner was able to deliver the blows he needed, including dropping his American opponent (5-2, 0-2 UFC) in the third.
The judges scored it 29-28 30-27 30-27 in the Irishman's favour.
The victory at UFC 273 brings Garry's record to 9-0 (2-0 in the UFC) as the undefeated Portmarnock fighter, nicknamed 'The Future', continued what he called the 'Irish takeover, part two' before the bout.
"I was having trouble finding my rhythm," Garry said afterwards.
"It's 15 minutes in the cage, I'm not happy with it as I like finishing fights, but it's experience and as I've said before. I'm not perfect that but I'm getting there. I know I've got a lot to learn.
"Dana (White), Mick, Sean, line them up, I'll knock them out. By the time I'm done with this division, everyone is gonna be calling me daddy."
In the first of two title fights on the night, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski earned a TKO in the fourth round of his fight with Chan Sung Jung.
It was a third defence of his title for the Australian who nearly finished the contest against 'The Korean Zombie' fin the third, only for the bell to intervene.
"He took a lot more (punishment) than I wanted him to," Vokanovski said afterwards. "I was starting to feel bad about it, but that's the sport we're in."
American Aljamain Sterling won a bantamweight unifier against Russia's Petr Yan, despite going in as massive underdog.
The pair had met last year with Yan well ahead before he was disqualified and the fight last night was only awarded on a split decision by the judges.
"I know I came in here very highly doubted," Sterling said. "I had a tough-ass opponent in Petr Yan. He brought out the best in me.
"Keep doubting me."
Additional Reporting: Reuters
