UFC star Caolan Loughran explains Irish tricolour confusion after memorable win

Caolan Loughran is still baffled why he wasn't allowed to celebrate his first UFC victory with the Irish tricolour draped over his shoulders.

The flag was taken off the Tyrone fighter seconds before it was announced he had beaten Angel Pacheco by unanimous decision in Atlantic City.

Loughran got his UFC career up and running at the second attempt with an impressive win over Pacheco at Boardwalk Hall. It followed a debut defeat to Taylor Lapilus in Paris last September.

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The 27-year-old joked that his striking coach John Gillies received some online flak as he was the man who was seen stripping Loughran of the flag just as the announcement was made.

He told Belfast Live: "I don't know what happened, because during fight week I was told the flag would be allowed. They let me walk about with the flag, they let me weigh-in with it and also make my entrance with it.

"But as the decision was being announced, they told my coach they had to take it off me. So my striking coach John Gillies took the flag off me, and he is from Liverpool. It looked like he was the one who took it off me, and he ended up receiving a lot of private messages calling him an English c*** and it wasn't even his fault!

"It was silly because the flag had followed me all week, and then it was taken off me. I don't know what it was about. They told me 'no flags' just as the decision was being announced. It's a bit poor."

Loughran admits the overriding emotion following his first UFC win was "relief".

He said: "Absolutely relief. It always is. I never get too high with the highs, and I now try not to get too low with the lows. It was more just relief, and now I am planning for the next one. We have a nice summer coming up, we will work hard and plan for the next one.

"I was coming off the back of the Lapilus loss in Paris, but I improved so much since then. You learn from the wins and losses. I got better in the gym. I took so much from that fight. There was a good argument for me winning that fight. About 1,000 people told me on social media that I should have won. But I am not salty, this is the game.

"That was absolutely a top-15 level fight, I have no doubt about that. Me and Taylor (Lapilus) could go into the top three and win today. I took that fight in three days' notice, so I know there were a lot of variables that weren't ideal, but he is a good fighter and it was great experience. I took a lot from it and I think it was evident in my recent fight. Even though Pacheco wasn't the same level as Lapilus, it was evident that I had levelled up."

Loughran admits he made several adjustments between Paris and Atlantic City, a refined approach which included avoiding any distractions during fight week.

He said: "Flowing in the cage and being present in the moment. I can't allow any externals to distract me, such as the crowd. I was first on in Atlantic City and there were a few Irish fans lining my walkout. I just kept my head down and I didn't look at them. I wasn't there for attention or likes, I was there to win and look good doing it.

"So being present, flowing in the cage, and it was just seven months of putting in the training to right the wrongs of last time."

Loughran celebrated his maiden UFC win with a few days in New York with family and friends, but it wasn't long before he turned his focus to the future - and who he will fight next.

Manchester in July is the moist likely option, while the Tyrone fighter says he would love to be part of the scheduled Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler card at UFC 303 in Las Vegas on June 29.

"The day after the Pacheco fight, some of my family, my girlfriend and friends stayed in New York and partied there. Then it was just me and my girlfriend after that and we did another couple of days. We had two or three days to enjoy New York city and go from hotdog stand to hot dog stand and the pub, and just swell up. It was good. One minute you're getting a UFC win, and the next you're on Times Square, it was class.

"But I am now planning ahead. I'd love to have something sorted this week. Even if it is a while away, I like to know what I have ahead of me. Even who it is. I really don't like the time between fights when you don't know what's happening. I really don't know what I'll do when I am retired.

"I am quite literally addicted to this. I'd like to think it will be Manchester on July 20. Hopefully we get that confirmed soon. That will be the biggest card in UK history, and it would be great to have an Irish fighter on that. The only thing that might top that would be if I got on the McGregor-Chandler card.

"Either one would be great. I am living the dream. They could put me in KFC, as long as the UFC is on it I don't care."

As for a potential opponent, Loughran added: "I'd love to fight Raul Rosas. I think he would be a breeze. A lot of people back him, and talk as if I am not on his level. I would break him in. half.

"It probably won't happen next, but at least it is in the pipeline. I will see what the UFC wants. I believe I am in the toughest division around right now."

Watch Caolan Loughlan’s recent fights on UFC Fight Pass, the home to world-class combat promotions and major sporting events, giving fans access to thousands of hours of content and live events worldwide.

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