CAOLAN Loughran fell just short on his UFC debut after he was narrowly beaten on decision by local favourite Taylor Lapilus in Paris.
Loughran, from Kildress, county Tyrone, went into the bantamweight battle as underdog against his home town opponent who had considerable advantages in height and reach and was given a rousing reception by a hostile crowd at the Accor Arena.
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He used them well in the first with a snappy southpaw jab followed up by a ramrod straight right hand. But Loughran was the aggressor and he answered with his own power shots and closed the distance with nimble footwork which forced Lapilus into the cage.
The Frenchman displayed agile defense and was able to escape after Loughran forced him to the floor but there was nothing in it as the third round began. Again Loughran made the running but elusive Lapilus held him off and he finished with a late flurry to claim a 29-28 win on all three judges' scorecards.
