Conor McGregor could be set to return to action against lightweight rival Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 in a fight that could result in huge ramifications for the lightweight division.
This is according to UFC president Dana White, who claims that the fight between ‘The Notorious’ and ‘The Diamond’ will be on ‘January 23 on Fight Island, if everything goes according to plan.’
If this fight does indeed go ahead as expected, it will be the second time that the pair have gone against each other, with McGregor emerging victorious via an early first-round TKO back in 2014 at UFC 178.
The Irishman appeared to confirm the bout via his Instagram account, saying: “I am very grateful to return and get to do what I love again. I look forward to the fresh test Dustin will bring since our first bout, while also showcasing my own incredibly deep cache of weaponry…See you soon guys.”
Indeed, the pair fought when they were in the featherweight division, with McGregor looking for a fourth consecutive victory at 145Ibs while chasing a bout against champion Jose Aldo.
Going into the fight, the Louisiana-born Poirier had the most wins and finishes in UFC featherweight history, but that did not stop ‘The Notorious’ pre-fight predicting a first-round knockout.
This bold prediction clearly got into ‘The Diamond’s’ head, after the Irishman had dropped his hands early in the opening round and then trash talked his opponent.
“What you got p***y! Is that all you got p***y!” exclaimed McGregor, according to talkSPORT.
McGregor then threw a double jab and landed a devastating left hand, which led to a stunning first-round TKO.
Both fighters have come along way since then and will consider this as an opportunity of claiming the UFC lightweight crown following Khabib Nurmagomedov’s sudden retirement at UFC 254 last month.
‘The Nortorious’ will certainly see this as an opportunity to propel himself back in the title picture, having not fought since his quick first-round TKO win against Donald Cerrone in January.
(Scroll to 09:10 in the below video to see McGregor trash talk and finish Poirier)
‘The Diamond’, meanwhile, has enjoyed impressive victories over Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez, Max Holloway and Dan Hooker. This run of wins has made him one of the top lightweights in the division.
In particular for Poirier, though, it is a chance to settle the score and the American would love nothing more than to spoil McGregor’s latest return to UFC.