Joe Duffy Returns, Meets Joel Álvarez on July 18th. Fight Island Event

Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC & Per Haljestam - USA TODAY Sports

A lightweight pairing between, 'Irish' Joe Duffy, and former AFL lightweight titleholder, Joel 'El Fenomeno' Álvarez is set to feature at a UFC 'Fight Island' event on July 18th. - from Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Donegal native, Duffy will look to snap a two-fight skid, which includes a recent decision loss to former BAMMA Lonsdale British lightweight champion, Marc 'Bonecrusher' Diakiese. Spanish grappling ace, Álvarez is attempting to make it two wins in three Octagon outings, following a stoppage of Danilo Belluardo back at UFC Fight Night Stockholm last June.

Duffy, 32, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt under the renowned Tristar leader, Firas Zahabi has so far established a 4-3 record in the promotion, following a move from Cage Warriors back in 2015. Beginning with a bang, the Taekwondo black belt notched wins over Jake Lindsey, and Ivan Jorge - before a unanimous decision loss to former interim lightweight gold holder, Dustin Poirier at UFC 195. Prior to defeats against the aforementioned, Diakiese, and James Vick - Duffy scored successes against Reza Madadi and Mitch Clarke.

Making his promotional debut last February at UFC Fight Night Prague, Álvarez dropped a unanimous judging to Damir Ismagulov, in a defeat which marked his first in ten outings. Rebounding, the Spaniard managed to notch a stoppage via strikes against the aforementioned, Belluardo. Making his professional bow back in December of 2013, the 27-year-old has scored an incredible eight separate submissions victories since.