It was at featherweight, and both guys have actually now combated at lightweight (welterweight, too, in McGregors case) for years. Fans cant argue that McGregor is hand-picking simple competitors here– Poirier is as legit as it gets. One might state that McGregor versus someone like Diaz would pull in more cash for the UFC.
Real or not: Conor McGregor is unnecessarily running the risk of a title shot by taking this battle.
McGregor just desires to battle. Hes annoyed that he has actually combated only an overall of 40 seconds in 2020 and is itching to get back in there. I likewise believe he would be confident going into this one, especially considering he currently has a win over Poirier, and understands a win will get him a title shot anyhow.
Genuine or not: With a win, this fight will get Dustin Poirier a title shot.
UFC superstar Conor McGregor revealed Wednesday that he will return to the Octagon and face Dustin Poirier as the main event of UFC 257 on Jan. 23, and hes hoping the fight will be held at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Will the UFC, which hasnt hosted an event in front of live fans since March 7, accept the location? Texas allows up to 50% of capacity at venues.
McGregor desired to combat three times in 2020, however the pandemic altered those strategies. McGregor hasnt fought given that his 40-second triumph over Donald Cerrone in January.
Murphy: In regards to his next fight being for a title, Poirier absolutely makes the shot by beating McGregor. Its immediacy, though, depends upon the winner when Nurmagomedov and Gaethje combine the lightweight belt– and how regards Nurmagomedov plans to retire after 30 battles.
Beating McGregor would make 7 of 8, and it would take Poiriers star power to a totally new level. At a steady two or 3 fights per year since his pro debut in 2009, theres no questioning Poiriers level of activity either.
When Poirier hypothetically topples the Notorious One, the only outlier is who holds the belt. If Nurmagomedov holds the gold, is a final-chapter GSP battle on the table? Might Nurmagomedov want to challenge Kamaru Usman in a superfight instead? Nurmagomedov holds all the cards, and there wasnt much from Poiriers loss at UFC 242 that demands a rematch.
Poirier knocked out Gaethje two years back, which raises intrigue for a sequel. Would Gaethje grant Nurmagomedov an immediate rematch?
With a win over McGregor, Poirier will fight next for the title. Impressive contingencies might require him to wait up until late next year to do so.
Real or not: A McGregor fight at AT&T Stadium would be the ideal way to invite back fans to a live UFC event in the U.S.
Wagenheim: No one in MMA produces capital-M Moments like McGregor, and the fans have actually always played a big role in raising the goosebumps. Theres absolutely nothing like an arena packed with singing and chanting and Irish flag-waving zealots whove flown into town to support their guy. Other fighters have hordes of followers, too, however the scene at a McGregor battle is simply a higher level of spectacle.
McGregor feeds off the energy inside the location, so he understands much better than anybody the impact of staging his performances in front of fans. Why else would he demand having his return play out at an arena that in non-pandemic times seats over 100,000? Now, who knows what this event would appear like– the number of fans would be allowed, and how travel constraints and these financially difficult times may keep away numerous who would love to be there.
There are a great deal of variables that would require to be settled– the most crucial amongst them, of course, being whether the UFC will agree to McGregors stipulation of area. But if the battle does occur in Dallas, how appropriate would that be. Folks in the Lone Star State love doing things huge, and a McGregor return after a year out of the Octagon, in a fight against a genuine light-weight contender, with some amount of fans in participation at a UFC occasion for the first time because March 7– that sure would be a Texas-sized extravaganza.
The undeniable lightweight title will be on the line when Khabib Nurmagomedov faces Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 AP Photo/Mahmoud KhaledReal or not: This is the PPV main event on the horizon that Im most eagerly anticipating.
If the battle comes together, Poirier will try to get some redemption for his first-round knockout loss to McGregor in 2014 (Watch on ESPN+). Theres no doubt both fighters have developed, and while the highlight of McGregors win over Poirier will continue to be played in the lead-up, Poirier represents an intense difficulty as McGregor attempts to make his method back to a title shot.
Any fight for McGregor is a great thing for the UFC and McGregor himself. Genuine or not: A McGregor battle at AT&T Stadium would be the ideal method to welcome back fans to a live UFC occasion in the U.S.
Wagenheim: No one in MMA mixed martial arts develops Moments minutes McGregor, and the fans have always constantly a huge substantial function raising the goosebumps. Folks in the Lone Star State love doing things huge, and a McGregor return after a year out of the Octagon, in a battle versus a genuine lightweight competitor, with some quantity of fans in participation at a UFC occasion for the very first time since March 7– that sure would be a Texas-sized extravaganza.
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If the fight comes together, Poirier will try to get some redemption for his first-round knockout loss to McGregor in 2014 (Watch on ESPN+). Because featherweight bout, McGregor worked rapidly, knocking down Poirier with a left and completing him off with hammerfists with just under two minutes left in the preliminary. Theres no doubt both fighters have actually evolved, and while the highlight of McGregors win over Poirier will continue to be played in the lead-up, Poirier represents an extreme challenge as McGregor attempts to make his way back to a title shot.
However is this the best bout for the sports most significant star? Is he taking too huge of a danger by not waiting for a possible title shot versus the winner of the Oct. 24 bout between Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje?
Ariel Helwani, Marc Raimondi, Phil Murphy and Jeff Wagenheim assess the bout, looking at whats real or not as we begin to get ready for a potential significant lightweight fight.
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Real or not: This is the right defend Conor McGregor
Any fight for McGregor is a great thing for the UFC and McGregor himself. The inactivity has been a sticking point for the UFC, which appeared to be wary of bringing McGregor back without crowds. The rate on financial investment has to make sense, and without the millions of dollars that come from ticket sales, is it worth it to have somebody who gets paid as much as McGregor compete without that income?
Raimondi: Thats a hard one without understanding for sure what else the UFC could have on the docket for November and December. He has stated he desires to combat again before 2020 is up.
McGregor vs. Poirier would definitely be high on the list no matter what the UFC has up its sleeve. That has an opportunity to be a truly extraordinary battle with high stakes, including Nurmagomedovs unbeaten record.
You likewise have to element in that Nurmagomedov is still grieving the death of his dad, famous Dagestani coach Abdulmanap. And we dont understand just how much longer Nurmagomedov, who has talked retirement, will be around. Every opportunity we get to see “The Eagle” is unique. He is one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport, a master of his craft. Everybody understands hes going to wrestle, yet no one can stop it. Gaethje, on the other hand, is the sports primary purveyor of violence and has actually honed his strategy in the previous year. I definitely can not await UFC 254 on Oct. 24.
Dustin Poirier discusses how after his loss to Conor McGregor in 2014, he began to alter his point of view on fighting which made him happier total in life.
Saturdays UFC Fight Night includes two battles with title implications. Jung is ranked 8th and has stopped his past 2 enemies in the very first round.
UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. Jung – Saturday, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Main card: ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET – Prelims: ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET
