Cillian Cunningham

After three incredible years providing MMA content for Pundit Arena, the time has come for me to move on to the next chapter in my career as a mixed martial arts writer.

@LewisSimpsonMMA Just to correct you, Nate beat him. 🙏

@DovySimuMMA Robbie Lawler vs. Nick Diaz I Matt Hughes vs. Frank Trigg II Max Holloway vs. Calvin Kattar Nice mix of everything.

you have to turn someone into an MMA fans, what 3 fights you showing them?

@RichieBarrett Congratulations to both of you! 🙏

@AndyHickeyMMA Do you know how many Irish fighters have been ranked in the UFC outside of Conor? With his opponent at #15 it's one hell of an opportunity. Can't wait to see it!

Ian Garry fight week. With a win, he will move to 5-0 in the UFC and join Conor McGregor & Norman Parke as the only Irish fighters to go unbeaten in their first 5 bouts in the promotion.

@lthomasnews youtu.be/9E1FfS2VboM?t=… You were mentioned by Jon Jones at around the 5:45 mark here. Whatever about burying the hatchet - at the very least, we now know that JBJ watches MK. 😂

Question. With Ian Garry potentially looking at a ranked spot if he beats the #15 Daniel Rodriguez next month, I'm wondering when the last time an Irish fighter was ranked in the UFC - if we drop McGregor from the conversation. Was it one of the flyweights? Serry or Paddy?

Amazing stuff! @Kiefer_Crosbie 🇮🇪

@MarisaK96 @PunditArena Same to you. 👌

@CillianCMMA @PunditArena Ah thank you Cillian! Hope you’re keeping well!

Finishing up with @PunditArena today after almost five years. I’ve worked with brilliant people over the years and have been given so many incredible opportunities so thanks a million to everyone who helped along the way. Looking forward to an exciting new challenge!

@TheJivemaster Funnily enough, I'm actually working on this exact concept for a video - or the G.O.A.T of each div vs. the modern champ. Close enough. DJ. Khabib. GSP. Silva (if he doesn't clown around beyond a healthy level). Jones.

Which UFC champions from the past do you think would beat the current champ of their division if they were able to fight them in their prime?

Another funny little stat: The 1st and 2nd UFC 155lb champions, Pulver + Sherk, didn't actually lose their belts inside the cage. After 10 years of normal order, the three most recent 155lb champions, McGregor, Khabib, + Oliveira - all lost their belts outside of the cage.

@Andymc1983 Yep! As far as I can tell, it's just Edwards, Dillashaw, Prochazka, and Tate. Two of those happened this year. There have also been a few vacant belt wins - Yan/Aldo + Gaethje/Ferguson. It’s just a strange little stat I noticed - surprised it hasn’t happened more often.

@CillianCMMA TJ against Barao?

A UFC trivia question for you all. Who was the first UFC title challenger to finish a DEFENDING champion in the fifth round to win the belt? Bonus points if you can name how many challengers in UFC history have finished champions in the final round. ex. Edwards KO's Usman.

I don't agree at all. Not in the best taste either. But dude, 'T-Shitty' was right there for the taking.

@StrabanimalMMA was the first fighter I ever interviewed - the first over the phone and the first on film. A lot of my most memorable nights working in MMA came with James on the billing. #Bellator270 looks to be more of the same. The Irish move into elite 135lb territory! 🇮🇪

@patrickallsyms @Channel_Fight Cheers man! He has been unfortunate with his health over the years - but I really believe that he could make a watertight claim in 4-5 fights. Who knows, maybe he'll prove me wrong but two leaves a lot to be desired.

@CillianCMMA @Channel_Fight My man, fantastic analysis. It's about title defenses & strength of schedule for me as well.

Khabib Nurmagomedov could well be the single greatest fighter the sport of mixed martial arts has ever seen. But if a clean 30-0 is truly what he plans to retire on, there will be a number of unavoidable holes in his argument for G.O.A.T status. youtu.be/3FbwUFxp9DM

The guy who had all the talent to be champ – but one who always lacked the ferocity needed to grab a fight by the scruff of its neck in those pivotal moments. If he can capture gold at #UFC251, it's a late-career drive that stands among the best of them. youtu.be/D787DsKhf5g

@ioneillmma A Fight Night card, a massive Croker show... anything in between. Whatever it takes to get an event on Irish soil at this stage. Cheers man, same to yourself! 🙏

@CillianCMMA Absolutely man. It’s hard too when you can’t believe a word that comes out him or Conor’s mouths. You could be looking at a sell out show in Ireland now before the States considering what’s happening. All the best 👍

We are at the most pivotal point in the story of Conor McGregor. To bet on him would be reckless, but to rule him out would be foolish. Haters, fanboys, those among you who have had your love for this man challenged. Buckle up. The answer is coming. youtube.com/watch?v=1z4WhB…