Conor McGregor en route to victory against Dustin Poirier at UFC 178. AP Photo / John Locher
AP Photo / John Locher / John Locher
DUSTIN POIRIER IS currently in Las Vegas for the UFC’s International Fight Week.
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When he last visited the city on UFC business, the American suffered a first-round TKO loss to Conor McGregor. It was a resounding defeat last September, but Poirier is keen to get a shot at redemption.
Poirier has since moved up to the lightweight division, recording consecutive first-round stoppages of Carlos Ferreira and Yancy Medeiros. If McGregor follows through on his plans to join the 155lbs weight class too, Poirier will be courting a rematch.
“I learned a lot from the fight against Conor and things would be different if we did it again,” said Poirier. “If he moves up to lightweight I’ll be ready. I want that and I’m sure the fans would too.
“But good for Conor, he’s doing a great job. Congrats to him. He’s a great athlete, he finishes fights and he promotes himself really well. He knows how to play the game.
“For me, I’m past that now, it’s history. I’m having fun again and I’ve got my own things going on. I’m focused on what’s ahead because I have a lot to come in the future.”
As for tomorrow night’s UFC 189 main event, which will see Conor McGregor take on Chad Mendes for the interim UFC featherweight title, Poirier expects McGregor to taste defeat for the first time in the octagon.
“I see Chad winning, probably by decision,” Poirier said. “Jose Aldo is a much better match-up for Conor and I think Conor would win that fight, if it happens. But styles make fights and I think this is a really bad match-up for Conor against Mendes.”
Poirier wants McGregor rematch, tips Mendes to win at UFC 189
– Paul Dollery reports from Las Vegas
DUSTIN POIRIER IS currently in Las Vegas for the UFC’s International Fight Week.
When he last visited the city on UFC business, the American suffered a first-round TKO loss to Conor McGregor. It was a resounding defeat last September, but Poirier is keen to get a shot at redemption.
Poirier has since moved up to the lightweight division, recording consecutive first-round stoppages of Carlos Ferreira and Yancy Medeiros. If McGregor follows through on his plans to join the 155lbs weight class too, Poirier will be courting a rematch.
“I learned a lot from the fight against Conor and things would be different if we did it again,” said Poirier. “If he moves up to lightweight I’ll be ready. I want that and I’m sure the fans would too.
“But good for Conor, he’s doing a great job. Congrats to him. He’s a great athlete, he finishes fights and he promotes himself really well. He knows how to play the game.
“For me, I’m past that now, it’s history. I’m having fun again and I’ve got my own things going on. I’m focused on what’s ahead because I have a lot to come in the future.”
As for tomorrow night’s UFC 189 main event, which will see Conor McGregor take on Chad Mendes for the interim UFC featherweight title, Poirier expects McGregor to taste defeat for the first time in the octagon.
“I see Chad winning, probably by decision,” Poirier said. “Jose Aldo is a much better match-up for Conor and I think Conor would win that fight, if it happens. But styles make fights and I think this is a really bad match-up for Conor against Mendes.”
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Chad Mendes Conor McGregor Dustin Poirier Former foe MMA UFC UFC 189