UFC 257 – McGregor vs Poirier 2: Meet Conor McGregor’s opponent, Dustin Poirier

The fight between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, coming up this weekend is more than a rematch, McGregor’s opponent; Poirier is not your average Mixed Martial Artist.

The last time bought fighters engaged one another was in September 2014, when McGregor was a clear winner. So ahead of this weekend’s fight, there’s no bad blood and no unfinished business. Unlike in previous times, both fighters are now a different beast – inside and outside of the UFC octagon.McGregor, 32, appears to have greatly matured, having become a Dad, and the two fighters have been showing mutual respect ahead of the weekend’s showdown. The mutual respect has seen McGregor pledge to make a huge donation to Poirier’s foundation.

For the first time in about 12 months, UFC superstar McGregor makes his return to the Octagon on Saturday against American Dustin Poirier at Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. There are many bookies here willing to cover the odds ahead of the match for the fans.McGregor’s last action was January last year when It took him only 40 seconds to defeat Donald Cerrone. In June, the former two-weight world champion made public his retirement, when he said was “bored of the game (Sport)”, but barely a year, McGregor is back – and reports from his camp indicate that “the Notorious” is more extremely focused.

McGregor’s opponent at the weekend, Poirier, was left with a 16-4 MMA record and the challenge to climb his way back up the rankings.

Dustin Poirier switched from featherweight division to lightweight division and although a four-fight back-to-back win was ended by a knockout in the first round by Michael Johnson back in 2016, the American returned to winning ways, winning his next five matches.In his illustrious career, Dustin has stopped Justin Gaethje, including former world champions Eddie Alvarez and Anthony Pettis, before a decision to win against Max Holloway two years ago to emerge interim lightweight title champion.

In 2019, in a title unification bout at UFC 242, he had his first world title shot, but the prowess of Khabib Nurmagomedov proved too much for him as he lost to the still-Unbeaten Lightweight champion.

He regrouped in June of 2020 and earned a decision victory against New Zealander, Dan Hooker. 

Come January 24, McGregor is expected to regain the lightweight title and American Poirier is presently the number two ranked contender, but he comes to the fighter a better proposition than the last time in 2014.

It must be noted that the American has lost just twice of his 13 bouts since 2014, while Conor McGregor has only fought on two occasions in MMA since the year 2016. American, Poirier also has 26 wins in the MMA to McGregor’s 22 wins.Aside from Poirier’s professional career, he has become a charity philanthropist and has also moved up into the top 10 for most wins in the UFC (18).

In a show of respect and support, after Poirier and Conor McGregor announced their intentions to fight, the Irishman pledged to donate a huge sum of $500,000 to the Poirier’s foundation. Poirier aims to use the fund to build a boxing and MMA gym in his hometown.The huge rematch is expected to get underway at about 5 am UK time on Sunday the 24th of January.