Richie Smullen has vowed to finish Ivan Buchinger this weekend – just like his inspiration Conor McGregor once did.
Smullen faces veteran Buchinger at Oktagon 77 on Saturday night as part of a stacked card in Bratislava, Slovakia, under the banner of Europe’s £200 million MMA promotion.
McGregor became a two-division champion after stopping Buchinger at Cage Warriors 51 in DublinCage Warriors / Dolly Clew Smullen plans to end his fight with the MMA veteran in similar fashion and achieve the same feat as McGregor down the lineOktagon MMAMcGregor knocked out Slovakian featherweight Buchinger in 2012 to become the Cage Warriors bantamweight and lightweight champion before he signed for the UFC, where he became the sport’s biggest star.
Speaking to talkSPORT.com ahead of his 20th professional MMA bout at Oktagon 77, Smullen, 34, admitted that he plans on doing the same thing.
Richie Smullen plans to score violent finish at Oktagon 77
“I respect Ivan a lot; he is a legend of European MMA, so I’m looking forward to this fight,” Smullen said.
“The fight is up a weight class, so I’m coming in fresh, as there hasn’t been much of a cut.
“I see it playing out a lot in the clinch, to be honest. Buchinger is very well-rounded, but he is a grappler and has something crazy like 26 submissions in his career.
“But I do think when I get the top position, he will feel like he’s drowning, and I’ll be going for the finish.”
Smullen, who trains at Straight Blast Gym Dublin like McGregor did in his prime, is arguably the best featherweight from the UK and Ireland right now.
The 34-year-old from Ireland boasts a 15-3-1 record, having fought for the likes of Bellator, Brave FC, Oktagon, and Real Fight Promotion since his pro debut in July 2016.
Smullen even appeared on The Ultimate Fighter 27 in 2018, when he competed under the guidance of UFC legend Daniel Cormier.
Smullen: McGregor was an inspiration to all MMA fighters
“Conor was everyone’s inspiration,” Smullen added when asked about the impact of McGregor, 37, on his career.
Only three of Smullen’s 15 pro MMA victories have come via a decision, with six knockouts and six submission winsOktagon MMA The Irishman is feeling inspired by McGregor’s brutal KO win over Buchinger ahead of his fight against the SlovakianCage Warriors / Dolly Clew“He’s MMA’s biggest superstar by far. It was great to see him rise up and take over the sport.”
McGregor left Buchinger unconscious with a vicious left hand in his last Cage Warriors bout, before his meteoric rise in Dana White’s promotion.
He would go on to claim two-weight championship status in the UFC as well, after scoring consecutive KO victories over Chad Mendes and Jose Aldo in 2015.
‘The Notorious’ hasn’t fought since suffering back-to-back defeats to Dustin Poirier in 2021, but is gearing up for a return at the UFC’s historic White House card in 2026.
Regardless of how he is viewed today, McGregor was an idol to many up-and-coming Irish fighters at the time, including Smullen.
Smullen concluded by asserting that he, too, plans to claim titles across two divisions in a similar fashion to what McGregor has already accomplished.
Smullen has big plans for the rest of his career at Oktagon
Smullen is looking forward to relishing in the ‘crazy experience’ of fighting Buchinger on enemy territory this weekendOktagon MMA“My goals are to be an Oktagon champion at featherweight and lightweight,” Smullen said.
“Oktagon are a huge platform – look at my last fight (a stoppage win over Vojto Barborik in Hamburg, Germany).
“I was early in the night, and the crowd was crazy. I can’t wait for Bratislava to be high up on the card, fighting the hometown guy.
“It’s going to be a crazy experience.”
Smullen added that he also takes inspiration from another Irish Oktagon star, Will Fleury.
Fleury revealed to talkSPORT.com in March his plans to become MMA’s first-ever three-division champion as Oktagon’s current titleholder at light heavyweight and heavyweight.
He also recalled watching McGregor’s first Cage Warriors defeat to Joe Duffy in 2010, detailing how he plans on making his own Irish MMA history.
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