A Fine Gael senator has backtracked on her earlier call for UFC to be banned from coming to Ireland.

Earlier, Senator Catherine Noone said she had written to Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, “seeking his views on allowing this vile so-called sport to be given a platform and an audience here and fully believe that this event should not be licensed.”

However, the senator later tweeted that she had "jumped the gun" with her earlier comments and that she would be take up offers of training and education about what was involved in UFC.

Asked which club she planned to join, Noone appeared to joke when she said that she would set one up in Leinster House.

Noone's comments came ahead of fights for Conor McGregor, Cathal Pendred and Paddy Holohan in Boston this weekend.

If McGregor can overcome Dennis Siver he will get a shot at the UFC Featherweight title, and Croke Park has been identified by UFC President Dana White as a possible venue for that fight.

A spokesperson for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport told the Herald: "The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has no role in relation to the licensing of such events.

"Mixed Martial Arts is not recognised by the Irish Sports Council and consequently does not receive any government funding through the Irish Sports Council."

The spokesperson said that the matter was an issue for Dublin City Council.