Dustin Poirier (26-6 MMA, 18-5 UFC) recently joined Theo Von’s podcast, This Past Weekend with Theo Von, where he talked about his upcoming fight against former UFC featherweight and lightweight champ, Conor McGregor (22-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC), at UFC 257.
The fight between McGregor and Poirier is a rematch six years in the making. Prior to the fame, fortune, and titles that both fighters have gone on to earn throughout their respected UFC careers, these two faced off in a featherweight bout back in 2014, at UFC 178 where McGregor knocked out Poirier in the first round.
Since that fight, both fighters have gone on to fight for a combined seven world championships, winning four world titles, and they have a combined record of 16-4 with 10 knockouts. In addition, both fighters most recent losses are to reigning UFC lightweight champ, Khabib Nurmagomedov. (Stats include interim title fights)
During the interview, Poirier, revealed his ideal game plan for McGregor in a way that only Poirier could.
“If you’re talking about game plan, what I want is for us to both be dripping blood, and hurting, and suffering early in the fight,” Poirier said. “Then we can find out who’s the real fighter, you know. That’s what I want. I want to be bleeding with a minute off the first round clock. I want us both to be bleeding, and really have to dig down, and see who’s the better fighter. See who really wants to be in there, because I don’t have a safety net. I want to be in there, and I know that. I know that, and I’d like to find out if he does.”
Poirier did admit that his game plan won’t be an easy one, but he believes this is the best way for him to get the job done against his one time bitter rival.
“And that’s uncomfortable, you know,” Poirier said. “I’m not looking forward to getting busted open, but if we can get the fight to that point, to where both of us are tired and bleeding, then we can see who has more grit, and who has more want, and I think I’ll win that fight ten out of ten times.”
Poirier and McGregor are set to fight in front of a live audience, Sat., Jan. 23 at UFC 257: McGregor vs. Poirier on UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
For viewers at home, the fight will be sold on the ESPN+ streaming app. Don’t miss this exciting matchup that has lightweight title implications written all over it.
Source: Youtube.com
