Barry pens fresh multi-fight deal with UFC

DEAN Barry’s long and winding road to the UFC appears to have been completed after he signed a multi-fight deal that will see him make his debut in the organisation.

Barry, a mixed-martial artist from Tallaght, looks set to fight Mike Jackson at UFC Fight Night 207 in April, after more than a year’s delay.

“I am so happy to announce I have just signed a multi-fight deal with the biggest organisation in the world – the UFC,” Barry announced recently.

“This has been a long road back and I am so proud to be here. Thank you to everyone involved behind the scenes for making this happen.

“I am now one of three Irish fighters on the roster. I love you all and I cannot wait to represent my country in the UFC.”

The SBG Charlestown fighter penned an initial multi-bout agreement with the UFC in November 2020 and was fixed to fight Jackson on two different occasions last year.

Firstly, Barry was supposed to make his debut on Fight Island against the part-time fighter, which was cancelled after Jackson withdrew.

The rescheduled bout was once again cancelled and Barry had some issues obtaining a visa to fight in America.

Needing to stay active, Barry took and later had to withdraw from a fight in Titan FC, a regional promotion contracted to UFC Fight Pass, through injury.

In December, he finally got back in the octagon in a welterweight clash with Drew Lipton at Titan FC and he didn’t skip a beat, carding a victory by punches just 21 seconds into the first round.

Now, with all of the bumps in the road apparently ironed out and pen put to paper, it would appear the 29-year-old is in dreamland after inking the new deal with the biggest MMA promotion in the world.