Joseph Duffy doesn't feel valued by UFC's latest contract offer, may test free agency

Joseph Duffy is not a happy camper.

With one fight remaining on his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contract, the lightweight contender wants to make it count; which is why he shut down the most recent unnamed opponent he was offered for the upcoming Fight Night event on Nov. 19, 2016 in Belfast, Ireland.

According to "Irish Joe's" comments to Sherdog, the fight had no upside, which is why he had no choice but to turn it down. And if it means he won't fight in his homeland, he will continue to turn down fights until it's the right one for him.

"Of course I'd be very disappointed to miss the Belfast card but I just feel that the fight I was offered didn't make sense. There was no real upside to the fight for me. With it being the last fight on my contract, I feel there's no benefit for me in taking it. This is the fight game and at this level every fight I take has to mean something to me in more ways than one. I'm training hard and I feel great. I've never been more focused than I am right now so I guess it's just a matter of waiting for the right fight for me. I want names that mean something and I'm ready to start my training camp as soon as that happens. If it's Belfast then it's Belfast, if not then so be it."

Not only are the potential foes not right, but the money doesn't seem to be to his liking, either, as Duffy says he also didn't sign a new deal with the promotion because he didn't feel valued with what was presented to him. That said, if he and UFC can't reach an agreement, he my be forced to test free agency.

"No, I’m not close at all [to signing a new deal]. I have been offered a new contract to sign but I don’t feel like I’m valued. The negotiation seems to be a case of take it or leave it. I’m not asking for a massive increase, just what I believe I’m worth as a professional mixed martial artist. It’s definitely looking like I will be testing free agency, but not by choice."

Duffy has racked up a respectable 3-1 record during his short stint with the WME-IMG-owned mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion, with his lone loss coming at the hands of the red-hot Dustin Poirier.

Nevertheless, it seems that's not good enough for the UFC higher-ups to break out the big bucks in order to retain his services.  Which means he won't ever get the chance to get a second win over Conor McGregor -- who has a mighty-fine contract, by the way -- should he choose to part ways with UFC.