Joe Duffy is aiming to be back in the octagon by the end of 2018 having had shoulder surgery last week.
The Burtonport man went under the knife to repair the labrum and will now be out of action for six months.
Duffy’s record dropped to 17-3 (4-2 UFC) after a defeat to James Vick in November.
At UFC 217 in New York, referee Todd Anderson stopped the fight just one second from the end of the second round.
Duffy will not get a chance to return to winning ways until closer to the end of 2018.
