Craig O’Brien isn’t one for paying attention to spoiler alert warnings. 

The Inner City Dub says he is fully aware of how his fight with Edward Donovan will play out at the 3Arena this weekend – and is more than happy to share with those who will watch in person or live on UFC Fight Pass around the world. 

‘The Iron’ says he’s filmed the pilot, seen the trailer, and is adamant the fight between the Limerick man and himself will make for an entertaining watch. 

Amazingly, the former Irish champion sparred his opponent in the build-up to their BUI Celtic light middleweight title fight. The Celtic Warrior Gym success story was initially penciled in to fight bill topper Callum Walsh on the card and used southpaw Donovan in prep for that proposed match-up. 

However, he couldn’t get sanctioned for the Cork main event fighter’s WBC International title and as a result had to look for a different opponent. 

He found one in European underage medal winner ‘The Dominator’ who he knows his style gels with. 

“It’s funny because Edward came up to spar me to help me get ready for Callum before that fell through,” he said.  “You want to fight good fights on a big card like this. You want to be in a fight with a bit of interest and meaning, so I’m delighted with it. He’s a great fighter. We shared the ring sparring recently, so I know already and he knows it’s going to be a great fight. The crowd are in for a treat. I know what he does, he knows what I do. People are in for a cracking fight 100 percent. It’s going to be a cracking eight round fight.

O'Brien's Fight Plan: Win and Move On

The recent University graduate doesn’t just want to just deliver entertainment for his loyal Inner City following, the 34-year-old plans to deliver a win to set up a big finish to his career. 

“The plan is to get in there get the win and push on from there.”Like stablemate Thomas Carty, Emmet Brennan and debutant Gareth Dowling, O’Brien hails from Dublin’s Inner City, so fighting at the 3Arena has real significance. 

Fighting at Home: A Dream Come True

“It’s a bit of a dream come true to be honest. I’ve fought in the stadium and many a good venue around Ireland and the UK but this is different it’s a big one and at home. I’m buzzing to fighting at home in Dublin and at the 3Arena,” he adds before explaining he was close to headlining at the venue. 

“Paschal [Collins] text me and asked me if I knew anything about Callum Walsh. I said ‘I know of him of course’ and he asked if I’d fight him. I said and we agreed to fight for his [WBC] International title over 10 rounds. We agreed everything and it was all good to go. Then there was a bit of stall, things went quiet and it turned out I couldn’t get sanctioned for the his title, so we have a different fight.”

The 3Arena: A Pivotal Moment in O'Brien's Career

The fight against Donovan marks a significant moment in O'Brien's career, with the 3Arena providing a platform for him to showcase his skills and potentially propel himself towards a grand finale. His fighting style and Donovan's blend seamlessly, setting the stage for an exciting encounter. The prospect of a win and subsequent momentum towards a career-defining finish keeps O'Brien motivated and energized. However, the journey to the 3Arena has been filled with twists and turns. The initial plan of facing Callum Walsh for the WBC International title fell through due to sanctioning issues, forcing O'Brien to shift gears and ultimately embrace the challenge presented by Donovan. Regardless of the initial plan, O'Brien's dedication to providing a compelling spectacle for the fans remains unwavering. He understands that his fight with Donovan is a chance to deliver not just entertainment but a win that could propel him towards a successful conclusion to his career. This fight, taking place at the 3Arena, is a culmination of O'Brien's years of dedication and a testament to his perseverance. It's a moment he's been striving for, and he's ready to make the most of it. It remains to be seen whether O'Brien will achieve his desired outcome, but his determination and fighting spirit are evident. His journey, filled with twists and turns, has led him to this pivotal moment, and the 3Arena is the stage where he will write the next chapter of his story.