In September 2014, Conor McGregor knocked out Dustin Poirier on the UFC 178 main card. It was McGregor’s first appearance on a UFC pay-per-view and the victory marked his rise as a true featherweight contender, who ended up casting his career in superstardom. Now, six and a half years later, McGregor reunites with Poirier this Saturday in the main event of UFC 257 and although this fight will be fought at lightweight, McGregor’s striking technician, Owen Roddy, thinks we will have a very similar performance for the first.
“Yes, it is a different fight. You fight someone twice, it’s a different fight, ”said Roddy Submission Radio. “Who knows what will happen? But the same thing applies, in my opinion. Conor will land. It is inevitable that he will hit that shot. He will land in Poirier, and only as long as Poirier will endure the punishment. He is very durable, strong and good, he has many tricks and problems that we solve in the camp. But when the time comes, when Conor lands, it will be how long Poirier can last. “
In his first fight, Poirier did not last long, with McGregor being paralyzed just 1:46 of the first round. However, many things have changed since then. Although McGregor was obviously past the first fight to become the biggest star in the history of the sport, Poirier didn’t do too badly either. The loss to McGregor led Poirier to rise to 155 pounds, where he has since transformed, riding an incredible race for the division that culminated in winning the provisional lightweight title in 2019. So great were Poirier’s improvements since his first fight that many believe his fight at UFC 257 could be a potential candidate for the Fight of the Year. However, McGregor is not one of them giving his official prediction of “Mystic Mac” as a 60-second KO. And although Roddy isn’t sure it will be that fast, he finally agrees with his accusation.
“I think it all comes down to strategy and any strategy that Poirier comes up with,” said Roddy. “So, it’s hard to say. If he comes in search of exchange, it will be quick, I imagine. If he comes in and runs, it may take a little longer. Poirier has improved a lot. I’m not trying to disrespect Poirier, he’s a phenomenal fighter, but Conor has also improved a lot too, and I think Conor has improved more than Poirier. Therefore, I can only predict the same type of result ”.
But despite McGregor and his team’s predictions for an early finish, the alternative has been a highlight for the former two-division champion. Since his defeat to Nate Diaz in 2016, McGregor has been labeled as having weak cardio, or as McGregor put it, “being inefficient with his energy”. Poirier is the opposite of having spent five rounds with Max Holloway and just last year winning the championship rounds against Dan Hooker. So, given that, conventional wisdom says that if Poirier can withstand the initial storm, he will be able to succeed in the last rounds against McGregor, but, always with the mark, Roddy says that if Poirier manages to reach the third, fourth and fifth rounds, things are not going to get better. Quite the opposite.
“I doubt it will go that far,” said Roddy. “But if it’s three, four and five, I think it will be worse for Poirier. I can’t see it going that far, but I think it would be worse for Poirier, to be honest. Because you don’t want Conor hitting you for 25 minutes. And he can set the pace, Conor. He’s in phenomenal shape. He’s in the best shape I’ve ever seen in my life. Physically, mentally. So, I think it would be dangerous. I think Poirier would receive many dangerous blows if he managed to stay there. But I still don’t see him staying there. “
Well, we don’t have to wait long to find out. UFC 257 takes place this Saturday at Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, and if McGregor performs in the way he and his team believe he will, it is possible that he will be able to win another chance at lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Process. Before UFC 257, a woman filed a multi-million dollar personal injury lawsuit against Conor McGregor.
Report. New details arise in the lawsuit against Conor McGregor.
Champion. Conor McGregor: I’m still a champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov ‘was never crowned’ at UFC 229.
BODE. Khabib Nurmagomedov believes that Max Holloway has the potential to become ‘the best fighter of all time’.
Attention. UFC bantamweight Andre Ewell receives a warning from USADA after a positive ostarina.
What the hell.
Fight Island 8 preview program.
Professionals envision Poirier-McGregor II.
Built-in.
Poirier looking back on his career.
Faster presentation at Bellator.
Jack Slack. Describing how Max Holloway beat up Calvin Kattar.
Unfiltered UFC. Interviews with Cody Garbrandt, Amanda Ribas and Nasrat Haqparast.
Khabib wins a prize.
It took three days and is this the best he can do?
Putting your name out there.
Henry.
Today, 2 years ago, I saved an entire division whose head was at risk. Call me whatever you want, but first you must call me a flyweight savior. I hope you hear this @daico_deusdaguerra. Don’t forget to wish me a happy birthday. #snakekilla pic.twitter.com/q3oou3Gq0g
– Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) January 19, 2021
Salty.
It is funny to me that Carla Esparza is in 15th place in the P4P ranking, under Cynthia Calvillo (13th P4P). Carla beat Cynthia. Cynthia’s biggest win was over Calderwood four years ago.
The ratings are so amazing https://t.co/R1VhtauQ5G– Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) January 19, 2021
We’ve all been there.
Jake Paul remains on the mark.
Dosbrak receiving official love now.
Innocent Guto (8-5) vs. Michal Andryszak (21-9, 1 without competition); KSW58, January 30th.
Landon Quinones Stewart (5-1-1) against Niko Novelli (8-2); Titan FC 67, February 12.
Danny Sabatello (9-1) vs. Da’Mon Blackshear (8-3); Titan FC 67, February 12.
Muhammadjon Naimov (5-1) against Olivier Murad (2-0); Titan FC 67, February 12.
Taylor Dilano (4-1) vs. Lewis Gonzalez (11-3); Titan FC 67, February 12.
Thanks for reading, enjoy the struggles of today and until tomorrow.
Voting
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Jessica Eye
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Joanne Calderwood
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