Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier are lastly set to resume their rivalry in 2021 in a bout which has enormous implications for the UFC light-weight division.
After Khabib Nurmagomedov introduced his retirement following a one-sided victory over Justin Gaethje, the 155lbs division was thrown open and McGregor’s probabilities of recapturing the belt subsequently shot up.
Dana White has claimed ‘The Infamous’ might return on January 23 at UFC 257 on Struggle Island, though ‘there are a ton of if’s proper now’.
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After all, McGregor has historical past with ‘The Diamond’ having fought again in 2014 at UFC 178 when the pair the place each fledgling featherweights making an attempt to make it.
The avalanche of recognition which might propel the Irishman to superstardom was starting to collect tempo on the time, with Poirier seen as a real menace to his good begin within the UFC.
After ending Diego Brandao in Dublin, McGregor was trying to safe his fourth consecutive win within the UFC’s 145lbs division as he chased champion Jose Aldo.
Immediately, he sought about moving into Poirier’s head at each alternative and ramped up the trash speaking. He infamously promised a primary spherical knockout, which solely drew extra ire from the Louisiana-native.
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Though it appears odd to think about both man as something aside from a headline star, the bout performed third fiddle to Eddie Alvarez’s loss to Donald Cerrone after which predominant occasion between Demetrious Johnson and Chris Carioso. However McGregor made positive the world was speaking about ‘The Infamous’ afterwards.
Having began the struggle with a proper hook kick aimed on the head, McGregor peppered Poirier’s defence with a sequence of searing left fingers.
Seemingly assured of securing his first-round end, the Irishman dropped his fingers and proceeded ahead with full disregard for what was coming again.
Then, after Poirier ultimately returned hearth, he stated to him: ‘What you bought p****? Is that each one you bought p****?’
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Inside seconds, McGregor threw a double jab to occupy Poirier’s lead hand and, with excessive precision and energy, landed a usually devastating left hand which dropped his opponent and continued to bounce his head off the canvas.
After all, issues have modified significantly for each males. Whereas McGregor grew to become the primary ever UFC ‘double-champ’, Poirier hustled quietly within the background and rebuilt himself as a light-weight.
After operating by way of a gauntlet of contenders, he claimed the interim world title in opposition to Max Holloway earlier than being bested by Khabib at UFC 242.
However, regardless of struggling one loss to McGregor already, you possibly can wager Poirier would love nothing greater than to spoil his imminent comeback.
